From

Location

Message

Date Posted

central Nc

I have a decent looking kin on my main about 15 DAP and one on a very strong secondary 1 day younger. The main tip is done, it turned brown and I clipped it. The secondary is still running. But looking at the growth (and because of a couple of scars on the secondary) I want to keep the main kin. When should I cut the second off? I was thinking waiting another week or so?

7/27/2018 11:00:47 AM

Syracuse, NY

IMHO, i would not cull down to my LAST option until the bigger of the two is at least beachball-sized or at an 'on-the-chart' measurable size (ex. 300-400 lbs.) and it is obvious that the larger will always be the larger---i had a Holland seed growing in '16 whose main vine fruit had everything going for it, but a 3-back secondary had one that was 'lesser' in circumstance, like a lousy angle to the vine, but flew BY the main fruit and...then, i knew.
please apply this along with others' opinions. eg

7/27/2018 1:03:21 PM

Colorado

When the main vine fruit is 15 to twenty days old it should start to accelerate so that you can be sure its set. Thats when you might consider cutting the second choice fruit.Also, Make sure you've got it turned perpendicular to the vine before you cut the other

7/27/2018 5:44:47 PM

Central NY

Good advice...vine positioning very important right now...

7/27/2018 9:46:14 PM

Syracuse, NY

this is also in case of any incidents while while moving either of them. snappy = crappy! eg

7/28/2018 3:03:00 AM

Syracuse, NY

oyyy, apparently my eyes are taking turns working tonight, lol---

7/28/2018 3:34:04 AM

central Nc

Thanks guys. One thing I'm not clear on is how to support the vine as it grows. Should I keep stacking stuff to support on each side and keep it even with the stem? Or at some point just let it hang? Got it perpendicular now, just don't want anymore splits at stem-vine juncture from pressure.

7/28/2018 7:24:50 AM

Central NY

Yes...we use Styrofoam wedges...pieces of wood could work...you always want a little slack in the vine...that means cutting the tap roots from the vines behind and in front of the pumpkin as it grows...pretty sure there’s utube videos on this subject...make all your adjustments during the heat of the day...almost grow time for you...good luck

7/28/2018 9:56:23 AM