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Pittsburgh, PA

Hi All,

My pumpkin started to vine yesterday. The vine took quite a steep spike down to hit the ground (I should have provided more support!).

Now it appears that the main vine is under a lot of stress... I am worried that it is going to crack.

Please check out the images here: http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/dibenea/library/Pumpkin%20Vine?sort=3&page=1

Am I doomed? I would really appreciate any advice!

Thank you,
Abby

7/2/2013 8:53:13 AM

Germany

Apparently, you hadn´t had enough confidence in what I had pointed out here:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=14&p=479486

There is still some time (today maybe) to build a higher ramp of soil to support this vine (maybe twice as high as the brick you currently use as a support). The ramp of soil has the ultimate advantage that the vine can already grow tap roots from the leaf nodes (the vine won´t do that as long as there is much air or a brick under the vine).
Stabilize the sides of the vine (the leaf stalks) by some additional sticks, so that the vine cannot fall to the one or the other side.

Good luck!

(Situation doesn´t look too bad so far, but you need to do what you need to do.)

7/2/2013 9:06:04 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I agree the situation doesn't look that bad and that a soil build-up at the arched bend will help. Also, I notice a tendril pointing straight down. Cut it.

7/2/2013 9:10:12 AM

Germany

...need to add this: For any further soil work (e.g., building a ramp) try to get some soil from another location in your patch, don´t start to dig in close proximity to your AG plant. A plant of that size can already have strong roots which reach out in each direction by at least 3 or 4 ft (maybe even 5 ft).

7/2/2013 9:23:02 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

Pumpking - I just didn't have time to take your advice :) by the time I went out to start a ramp, my pumpkin had touched down.

Thanks for the additional advice - I will be building a ramp this evening.

7/2/2013 10:43:52 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

TruckTech - where is this tendril? I don't want to prune the wrong area.

7/2/2013 10:52:17 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

TruckTech - where is this tendril? I don't want to prune the wrong area.

7/2/2013 10:52:17 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

TruckTech - where is this tendril? I don't want to prune the wrong area.

7/2/2013 10:52:18 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

TruckTech - where is this tendril? I don't want to prune the wrong area.

7/2/2013 10:52:18 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

TruckTech - where is this tendril? I don't want to prune the wrong area.

7/2/2013 10:52:18 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

TruckTech - where is this tendril? I don't want to prune the wrong area.

7/2/2013 10:52:18 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

TruckTech - where is this tendril? I don't want to prune the wrong area.

7/2/2013 10:52:53 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

Whoops I apologize for the multiple posts - you can tell im new at this ;)

7/2/2013 10:54:30 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Near the stump area just after the beginning of the main. At least the angle of the photo makes it appear that that tendril could be problematic. Tendrils are of no use to us.

7/2/2013 10:56:44 AM