From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Tasmania Australia

Hi, I have just had the main vine bent and pinched back on itself, it was only transplanted about 5 weeks ago, the main vine pinched as i forgot to check on it and didn't mound up any soil, so the main vine basically just fell over itself and pinched.
I have one good secondary vine and the other haven't really started doing anything yet.
I have made this secondary the main vine and the growth has slowed up considerably
Is it worth going on with this secondary vine as the new main and see how it goes, or just pull the plant and call it for the season?
Only have the one plant in.

11/6/2023 5:36:44 AM

Syracuse, NY

Naturally, if you want to grow it, you will keep after it.
Once the secondaries' roots are enacted, either by their own, natural will to sustain the plant or by you burying the root nodes as needed, the plant will forget all about that kink in it and hopefully, go on to astound you with its tenacity! I grew 2 fruits on a definite ribbon vine this year on my 206.1 plant, both on the main vine and I have no concerns anymore for the folding, yes, and partial UNfolding of that main vine. They were about 4 feet apart along that main vine, the first one aborted upon beachball size and the later one went on to be a seller and as dark orange as I've had in years. Go for it! eric g

11/6/2023 6:22:27 AM

Tasmania Australia

Thank for the reply,
I should of mentioned that i did remove this main vine.
The thought was that i could make a secondary take its place.
i am now thinking from what you have said, this was a mistake.
Is it still worth while keeping the plant going to see if this secondary will form into a new main, or just really wasting my time with this plant this season, and remove it.
It has heating cables running also.

11/6/2023 8:15:17 PM

Syracuse, NY

I still say to keep after it unless you have other, similar seeds/plants or
another grower in the area (40K square miles, lol???) that is
liquidating his or her plants. It's possible. As I suppose others might say, who knows, lol, start a backup immediately if possible, (3 days at 90 degrees F) (not a replacement, but another option)
to MAYBE be planted at the other end of your growing area to see what might happen - an insurance policy;

I would plant that backup either as SOON as it sprouts to enable an undisturbed root system from the start OR direct-seed one into a hole of seed starting mix if it's warm enough out already;
Once that plant is of a 'Give Me More!'-looking size (table-top-sized), perhaps hit it regularly with a high-N or 20-20-20 water-soluble fertiizer, but don't overdo it, to perhaps speed along its growth...>>>and DO care for the other, remaining plant structure as best as you can on your original plant and see this diary below from at least the provided page to the end:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=338496

(Our Man, Rmen, grew a fruit on a small plant that lost some if not most of its vegetation and then it even had HIM being amazed by its growth and will to survive!)

Do yourself a favor and don't do anything drastic that could END your season based upon what I might say unless evaluated along with the replies of others, if any, although I generally speak of things I DO know about or I'd be a quite-quiet kind of guy! SO, check also the Australian Growing Forum and see that there are at least 3+ other Australian growers and/or posts and comments you can peruse for what others have done in previous seasons.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewBoard.asp?b=21

PS---As one one-eyed Pirate said to the other: 'Nice Patch!'
(I looked at yer 2022 Diary. I'm envious!)
Best of Luck!!! eg

11/6/2023 9:42:28 PM

Tasmania Australia

Appreciate the advice,
Will get another seeding up and running at plant at the opposite end and see how both fair.
Just had a bit going on at the start of this season an it caught me off guard, not much of an excuse i know.
Yes, i need to get back into doing those diary's again
Very much appreciated.

11/7/2023 3:38:44 AM

Syracuse, NY

Pretty cool, talking back to Australia - Tasmania, at that!
Just one question - Have you ever seen or had as a pet a Tasmanian Devil? That'd be cool, although I doubt (and I've read they're not) they're great pets, lol---
Okay, let us know...how it g(r)o(w). eric g

11/7/2023 5:19:28 AM

Tasmania Australia

Never had one as a pet, but i guess if you had one for only a few weeks to a month old it would be ok, a bit like have a wombat for a pet, you can, they just behave a little different from say a cat or a dog.

11/7/2023 11:22:10 PM

Syracuse, NY

I'd hope so, lol!
Yup - Had that with several raccoons as I was a child;
Once they snarl at you, they can be fully outdoors, now.
Some strike a balance and can live near you, but free, too.
Later---eric g---lol---Wom Bat

11/8/2023 2:24:24 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Get that diary going so we can see.:)

Plenty of 2000 pound pumpkins have been grown on secondaries so give it a go. If you only have 1 plant you have nothing to lose.

Good luck to you!

11/8/2023 12:11:13 PM