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Waterville, Ohio

I knew the time would come that my pumpkin would be growing into my secondary vines. Although I did cut the secondary vines at about 3ft, I now have my pumpkin growing up against these. How close can I cut the vines without risking disease or rot? The secondaries are coming off of the main in a v pattern with the fruit smack dab in the middle. Any help would be appreciated.
-dave

8/19/2008 1:08:38 PM

Rhode Island

dave
early as possible you are supposed train the side vines away from the pumpkin,also cutting the ones to the immediate right and left of the fruit if they are that close to the new fruit.
the main also needed to be positioned so as to prevent stem stress ( pressure from the main touching the front shoulders of the pumpkin causing splits and sometimes a complete break in the stem)
with only three ft sides id just cut the ones that are in the way. (cut off where side comes out of the main- not the main )

8/19/2008 4:25:10 PM

Waterville, Ohio

Thanks for the advice pap,
I was able to get styrofoam blocks underneath about a foot and a half of the main vine to eleviate pressure a few weeks ago. I'll try giving it some space by cutting the side vine. I thought I'd given it enough space and have gotten bit in the butt failing to compensate. It's definently the oddest shaped fruit I've ever seen.

8/19/2008 8:04:47 PM