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Buffalo, New York

My main vines are almsot on the ground and i can see where the first secondary vines are starting out of the base of the plant.

I have noticed some bigger vines coming out of the upper stump area and going opposite the main vine.

Should I cut these vines off?

And is there a name for these vines growing backwards from the stump?

6/3/2009 12:52:13 PM

Western NY

I have been cutting them off. It makes for a cleaner stump area in the end, and I have even gone so far as to chop off the first couple secondaries before they even got started.

6/3/2009 2:22:17 PM

Oklahoma State Record Holder

I call them 'back mains'.

6/3/2009 7:58:25 PM

Buffalo, New York

Andy, why do you chop off the first couple secondarys on each side of the stump before they have started?

just to keep the stump very visible throughout the season?

P.S. I did cut them off....since i am growing back to back, i dont see a purpose to keep them.

6/3/2009 11:23:19 PM

Rhode Island

ron
back in the day before the christmas tree/box/pitchfork/quill/freigh train/flag type plants came into favor we used to grow our pumpkin plants in an area of the garden that allowed for as much garden off the back of the plant as in the front.
we would utalize both the main going in one direction and them the back main which usually ran in the opposite direction, setting fruit on both mains.
a few growers may still use this method, which by the way? is very good if you are dealing with a hot cross you may never get your hands on again.
the main/back main plant has produced many two for the price of one very big pumpkins.
pap

6/5/2009 7:13:52 AM