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We have a plant that is about 10ft long with pumpkins at the 3 ft and 6 ft point...should we be cutting these pumpkins off this close in?

I see July 4th as a goal for pollination....do we wait until then so the plant is larger to support the pumpkin? Or should I be pollinating the females now? We live near Chicago.

I assume all pumkins on secondaries should be pinched off along with any third growth vines?

Do we just bury the vine at each leaf node or the whole vine? How deep should we be burying them?

Thanks....I know it is a lot of questions.

6/25/2008 2:19:40 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

The ideal distance is 12 to 14 feet. 3 and 6 is really to close to the stump. It depends on what your goal is but if you want big wait until a minimum of 14'.

No harm in setting a pumpkin on a side vine for insurance. You can always go back and cull it if not needed. Most should be picked off though.

All third growth vines (tertiary vines) should be pruned off.

Some bury only at the node but I think most bury all vines. About 3 inches should be fine.

6/25/2008 5:47:19 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Sorry, meant to say wait for a minimum of 10'. 12 to 14 is better.

6/25/2008 5:48:34 PM