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Sacramento, CA

So, being a rookie, I am making all sorts of mistakes. This mistake (#45) is that I have a plant facing the wrong way. You see, I direct planted a seed (mistake #3) and when it popped up, it is turned in such a way that it will grow directly onto cement. It is about 3 feet from a cement slab and headed straight for it. Luckily, it is pretty small right now, the first true leaf is about 3 inches across.

Anyone have any experience in dealing with this? Should I attempt to scoop out the dirt, turn it and reset it? Should I leave it alone?

Thoughts? Comments? No rookie, joke please.

Thanks

6/9/2006 6:51:01 PM

Sacramento, CA

oops. all apologies for posting this on the wrong message board. Just another mistake for the list. 46 and counting.

6/9/2006 6:54:08 PM

I'm assuming you're thinking of the "it will go opposite of the first true leaf" rule.
If the first true leaf is only 3 inches, it shouldn't be heading in any particular direction at this point. True, people say that it will grow "opposite of the first true leaf," but with a little human intervention, this can be altered. Just keep nudging it in the direction away from the concrete. You have to pay attention... when it gets a little top heavy, put a few stakes against the leaf stalks in a manner to push the plant the direction you want it to go. Every day or so check on it and readjust if necessary. The stakes will make it lean over the right direction and gravity should do the rest.

6/9/2006 7:03:30 PM

Second choice might be to bust up that slab and add the necessary amendments.............you're gonna need a bigger patch next year anyway !!

In case now one told you "this is highly addictive"

6/9/2006 7:24:12 PM

Sacramento, CA

I love the suggestion of busting up the slab... great idea. Only problem is the house is on the other side of the slab. I think my wife might object to aiming these pumpkins at the house.

I will attempt the "training" idea first. If that does not work.. i will rent a jackhammer.

6/9/2006 11:31:48 PM

ooops,,better go with the stick thing !!

6/9/2006 11:52:44 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

I had mine make a complete u-turn (so much for the opposite the first leaf trick!). The trick is to slowly train them to turn, but start the training as early as possible. Mine is also a double vine so makes it a bit harder and slower.

6/14/2006 12:26:24 PM

Sacramento, CA

Petman- why did you do the u-turn? that might be a good trick to take advantage of my oh so limited patch.

6/14/2006 5:51:35 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

I planted my pumpkins up against my "regular" garden. The were all supposed to grow away from the regular garden into the patch. This one decided it wanted to grow into the regular garden. I will take some pics and post in my diary tomorrow. As a side note, it looks as though the double vine has decided to part ways and become two again. Good news and at a good location. I do have a "kink" but did not seem to effect it and really occured when it "layed down" A double vine and a u-turn but then it is nearly my fastest grower.

6/15/2006 12:42:04 AM

Ontario

Easy to turn around just use bamboo stakes and turn about an inch a day until headed in right direction. Do this in late afternoon when vine is more flexible from the heat of the sun.

drew

6/15/2006 3:16:57 PM