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Long Island,New York

Hi..This is a common problem and easily preventable. When the plant reaches out with its two foot vine before landing it is very susceptable to both wind damage and its own wieght...it often fails at the stump or firt joint and comes crashing down in a heap splitting or crushing the main vine at the stump. After the crash landing it will still live but hardly a goodthing for a competition plant.All you have to do is use the criss-crossed sticks..this time criss-cross them BELOW the vine--as it you were making a cradle beneath the vine.If you use two longer sticks they will both prevent the vine from swinging left or right in the vind (preventing wind damage) and only allow for an inch or so drop of the vine before its supported by the sticks. Gradually spread the "x" cradle so the vine lowers to the ground.The vines are somewhat pliable, but only gradually. This works great at relieving growers stress.......

6/7/2001 8:41:19 AM

Saskatoon, SK

Exactly my problem. I will get out the crossed sticks. Too bad I did not know about this in advance. Crashed and kinked over the stem. Seems OK but None of the books seem to mention this problem!

6/7/2001 3:22:50 PM

Connecticut, USA

Excellent tip! I have used criss-crossed bamboo sticks alot but never quite like that. Thanks.

6/7/2001 3:41:57 PM

Long Island,New York

Dont forget to use this method for the first two or four side vines that come out from near the stump too. These "t" vines tend to go way up in the air. (The next side vines are usually half burried as the mains are typically down on the ground or half burried and these side vines don't come crashing down). The "T" vines tend to come crashing down and split THE MAIN along the top---not quite as bad as kinking the main or mashing the main, but a split none-the-less........................Glenn A

6/7/2001 4:06:31 PM

canal winchester ohio

Glenn I have also used this method for the last 2 years, But this year the main was so thick I had to bring some dirt up to meet the main and slope it down to keep the kink out.........Paul

6/7/2001 4:24:46 PM

Mid Michigan

I'm with you guys! I just took the cold frame off today (finally made into the 70's here), and was surprised to see the main vine 2ft long, and shaft about 3inches around. It was doing a mean-lean towards the ground too! I'm glad I saw this posting.......criss-crossed some bamboo sticks about 4 inches down the main shaft, and went back out an hour later to see it resting on the sticks already!!
I'm sure it would've crashed, and split, or cracked if i hadn't done it as quick as i did. You guys are my heros!!........cuzbiker

6/7/2001 6:09:00 PM

Mid Michigan

I'm with you guys! I just took the cold frame off today (finally made into the 70's here), and was surprised to see the main vine 2ft long, and shaft about 3inches around. It was doing a mean-lean towards the ground too! I'm glad I saw this posting.......criss-crossed some bamboo sticks about 4 inches down the main shaft, and went back out an hour later to see it resting on the sticks already!!
I'm sure it would've crashed, and split, or cracked if i hadn't done it as quick as i did. You guys are my heros!!........cuzbiker

6/7/2001 6:10:17 PM

Commack, NY

glenn, good advice, used this method, worked like a charm.

scott

6/7/2001 7:04:24 PM

Herndon, VA

I had several broken vines until switching to this method. It has worked well as long as I remember to adjust the sticks daily to accomodate the growth. I have also had to secure the vines (loosely) to the sticks during thunderstorms to prevent them from jumping out of the "cradle". Bread ties seemed to work reasonably well. --Bruiser

6/7/2001 7:21:27 PM

Deer Park, WI

Three cheers for Glenn huh? Looks like he hit a homer on this one

6/8/2001 8:52:21 AM

Long Island,New York

Even a broken clock is right twice a day..................G

6/10/2001 8:13:07 AM

western Kentucky

That is only if the clock is broken so that the hands do not move.
If the clock is broke causing it to slow down a minute every day, then it is only right once every 720 days!!!

Justin

P.S. Not trying to be smart or anything, but I like to figure stuff like that up.

6/10/2001 11:17:57 AM

Long Island,New York

Go back and figure it out again Justin....................

6/10/2001 11:21:36 AM

western Kentucky

I figured it right the first time. There is 24 hours in a day, but only twelve on a clock. Making it right once every 720 days and twicw every 1440.

Justin

6/10/2001 2:18:00 PM

western Kentucky

twice... sorry

6/10/2001 3:30:42 PM

Long Island,New York

Wrong again...

6/10/2001 5:27:05 PM

western Kentucky

what do you want me to do subtract 60 days for daylights saving time... 660

6/10/2001 6:33:26 PM

South Hill, Virginia

What if this clock was onboard a train going from Los Angelos to New York traveling 80 miles per hour....

6/11/2001 1:48:21 PM

Connecticut, USA

What is the name of the conductor?

6/11/2001 2:28:39 PM

western Kentucky

Yes the name of the conductor would help...

6/11/2001 2:31:13 PM

Greencastle, PA

why does the conductors name matter?

6/11/2001 5:20:16 PM

Sloughhouse, CA

The conductor was my Uncle, Jim Shelby, Santa Fe, Plains Division, Slaton, Texas.

6/11/2001 11:03:11 PM

CT

He the one who tells the time....

6/11/2001 11:19:40 PM

western Kentucky

My grandfather was the clock

6/11/2001 11:28:57 PM