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Hopedale Ohio

If your main is 15-20 ft past the kin and still growing, do you cut it? Thanks

8/17/2020 1:52:36 PM

North Of The Border

Aha! The million dollar question! Many people agree to leave it growing past the fruit, but then again many people advise against letting it grow. I think it depends most on space. If you run out of space in the patch, and can't get it to grow through the lawn, terminate. If you can help it, don't.

It is said, that growing the tip continuously, will send signals to the fruit, and tell it to keep growing. I believe this has some merit, an dis not completely false, however, I also believe main vine termination could also work well.

The pumpkins vine can be compared to a hose. Every secondary, rooting and vine, adds pressure to the hose. Every fruit takes away pressure. You want the most pressure you can get to go to the fruit. When the main vine is terminated, the flow of sap, has no choice but to go to the fruit. When the main is growing, the flow of sap can go past the pumpkins well. This can be good for fast growth surges, because it diverts pressure, and can save you from a blossom ending split. However, if you have slow growth rates, this may not be needed.

It all boils down to space. It is common to leave the main growing, but if you run out of space, or don't want to continue pruning or anything, terminate it. Otherwise let it grow.

8/17/2020 4:40:55 PM

Colorado

I havent cut mine and it 25ft plus.Im superstitious and a pumpkin romantic-prob should have cut it 15ft earlier.

8/17/2020 9:51:47 PM

Hopedale Ohio

Thanks for the help. I've got the space, I'm gonna let her grow! Good Luck with harvest

8/18/2020 10:03:23 AM