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Bear Creek, NC

I'm confused. From what I have read so far, a plot size is anywhere from 400 to 600 sq. ft. The example shown in Don Langevins book, Giant Pumpkins III, shows a plot size 20 x 20 ft. with a Christmas tree pattern. If the vine is 10 ft. off the main on each side and the main is only 20 ft. long then this totals 200 sq. ft.(square footage caculator) of actual vine. Is this enough? If the vine needs 400 sq. ft. then the main should be 40 ft. with a 20 ft. base. Please help. Just want to be sure I do it right. I've got plenty of space, but need to be working on my patch and not sure how to lay it out.

4/24/2010 11:27:16 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

You must have calculated 200 sq. ft = (10 ft. of side vines x a 20 ft. main). This would be correct only if you allow for 5 feet of side vines on each side (5+5=10ft.) If you want to calculate for 400 sq. ft. = (20 ft. of side vines x a 20 ft. main). This would allow for 10 feet of side vines on each side of the main as (10+10=20ft)

4/25/2010 1:11:48 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Also you can get a pretty good sized pumpkin out of smaller spaces than 400-600 sq. ft. so don't think that those numbers are carved in stone. Like other topics out there, it's not the size that counts, it's how you use it.

4/25/2010 1:16:10 AM

Bear Creek, NC

Alex B, thanks but are you growing a triangle or a rectangle. Triangle with a 20 ft. base extending to a peak of 20 ft. measures 200 sq. ft. I did a search on plot size and found this same topic back in 2006. They were explaining that the side vines of their Christmas tree grow all the way out to form a rectangle. But the were talking about 1000 sq.ft. Like I said, I'm confused. Am I missing something? Am I growing a triangle or a rectangle?

4/25/2010 11:03:48 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

You can trim your plant to do nearly anything you want it to do. Typcially growers prepare an area that is a square or rectangular in dimension for each plant. You will aim to fill the entire area with vines based on your pattern and then terminate the vines at the edges of your determined area. If pruned properly the plant will begin to look like a xmas tree, but if you allow the side vines to continue to fill up the area they will and that's no problem. Remember these vines will continue to consume any land they can get their tendrils on; dirt, grass, fences, trees, so it's up to you to decide how much room you will allow, and they will take it!

4/25/2010 12:30:18 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Maybe my picture will help explain?

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=118469

This is a rectangular area that is seven feet wide and fifteen feet long- about 105 square feet. I planted on one end of the area and ran the main forward and cut each side vine at about three and a half feet on each side, which uses the seven foot width I had to work with. As you see, a plant will fill any area any way you want.

4/25/2010 12:39:28 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Joe Jutras, Ron Wallace, Jerry Rose, the Harp's, etc all use all of 600 sq ft plus paths to pollinate, vine bury, spray, remove tertiaries, etc.

A successful chicken farmer has a head limit based on coop size right?

4/25/2010 12:51:36 PM

Bear Creek, NC

So as it grows it naturally looks tree shaped but you allow it to fill the plot size and then stop the outward growth right? Thanks Alex. Tremor, thanks for the comparsion.

4/25/2010 3:31:29 PM

Denver, Co.

If you have vol III of Dale's book, the chapter on vine pruning,(starting on page 148) explains it well.

Like Alex said, these plants can & will grow to be huge, 1000, even 2000 sq. ft. if they're not pruned. Secondary vines grow off the "main" vine, you'll want to train them to grow at 90* to the main.

There will also be a third stage of vines growing off the secondaries ( referred to as "tertiary" vines) that appear where the leaves grow on the vine (leaf axils).These will fill in between & make it difficult to walk around in your plants. You want to remove these vines as they appear.

The pruning isn't just for making the plant fit the space, you will need to get into the plant to pollinate,spray,set your fruit,adjust the fruit as it grows, pull weeds,trim & bury vines...etc. These babies are "HIGH MAINTENANCE" plants.

So, trim as it grows so that you can "tend" to your baby! Good luck!

4/26/2010 1:31:31 AM

Denver, Co.

I meant "Don's" book.

4/26/2010 11:07:48 AM

Bear Creek, NC

Thanks everyone. Is pruning every other secondary what everyone is doing? From what I've read it makes alot of cense. Gives more room when pruning and pollinating and allows the leaves to grow larger.

4/26/2010 10:21:37 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

CF, no it is not. some let all secondaries grow. some trim off every other one, on each side. It is not about what everyone else does, it is about what you need to do to have access to yer plant's main vine, and keep yer plant healthy!!! Too many leaves...trim some more!!! Not enough, let em grow!!! If too humid, trim some!!! Too hot and dry, more leaf structure, just might help keep moisture in the soil!!! We all grow in different climates, and therefore, we do thing different!!! Peace, Wayne
Grow em BIG!!!

4/27/2010 1:14:59 AM

Bear Creek, NC

Just put my seeds in the mix yesterday, and already am thinking this is more than I bargained for. lol. Thanks Wayne.

4/27/2010 7:52:51 AM

Griffith, In

Chicken Farmer, often, those that prune every other secondary vine do it because their secondaries are coming in too close to each other. This helps let air in to ventilate the plant. Not having air flow through the plant is a breeding ground for mildew and disease. If secondaries are far enough apart to be able to walk in between them, let them grow. Also, if the secondaries arent filling in, let some tertiaries go to fill in that space.

4/27/2010 1:51:39 PM

Westford, MA

CF once they start to run you really want to keep up with them. I use thick plastic coathangers cut in 1/2 to tack the vines down before/as I bury them. Holds them in place till they set roots.
Couple years back I let them go for a couple days, then couldn't catch up in between a few plants.
Killed 1 plant and messed up another, due to the congestion.
Had some 5' leaf stems when I untangled the mess at the season end.
Good Luck
Kevin

4/27/2010 3:31:43 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

C'mon CF...the joy of seein the main vine grow 12" in 24 hrs. will pick yer spirits up!!! To early to get discouraged!!! Hand pollinating is something to look forward to!!! Lot's of work, YES!! Heartbreaks...we all have them!!! Rewards...Priceless!!! My point was intended to be that this is a learning experience. Keep the faith!!! Peace, Wayne

4/29/2010 12:31:29 AM

Huntingdon, PA

Rookie year and I'd like to talk to or visit a grower in Pennsylvania. Any out there ?

5/23/2010 4:37:50 AM