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Rhode Island

A COUPLE OF NO-NOS TO BE CAREFUL OF.
1.ADJUSTING MAINS AND SIDE WHEN ITS TO COOL IN THE A.M.
2.NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH TENSION RELIEF FOR THAT YOUNG TENDER MAIN VINE AS IT GROWS AND NEEDS TO BE TRAINED TO REACH THE GROUND.
WE USE BAMBOO STAKES ON TOP AND UNDERNEATH THE MAIN,ADJUSTING DAILY A LITTLE BIT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE MAIN IS FULLY ON THE GROUND.
FOR SIDE VINES WE JUST PIN AND ADJUST A LITTLE DAILY BY USING TWO BAMBOO STAKES PINNING THE SIDES IN POSITION (ALSO ADJUST AS NEEDED UNTIL VINE IS ON THE GROUND)
ALSO BUILDING A SOIL RAMP JUST UNDER THE MAIN AND ADJUST DAILY. THIS CAN ALSO RELIEVE STRESS THAT COULD DEFINATELY SNAP THE MAIN.
THE SIZE OF YOUR ALLOTED PLANT SPACE HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE WAY YOUR PLANT PATTERN WILL BE DEVELOPED.
WE LIKE TO ALLOT A MINIMUM OF 700 SQ FT PER PLANT. THEN AGAIN AS THEY SAY "IT IS WHAT IT IS" AND,IF YOU HAVE LESS SPACE? YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE DUE.
ID RECCOMMEND NO LESS THAT 300-350 SQ FT PER PLANT THOUGH.REMEMBER THE MORE PLANT YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH? THE LARGER FOOD FACTORY FOR YOUR PUMPKIN AND ALSO THERES MORE PLANT TO KEEP SHOULD PROBLEMS OCCUR.
WE LIKE TO HAVE AT LEAST A DOZEN SETS OF 12FT SIDES BEFORE OUR FIRST POLLINATION (WHEN AT ALL POSSIBLE )ON SMALLER PLANTS? TRY AND GET 6-8 SETS OF 8FT SIDES BEFORE POLLINATING.ALSO, IF WIDTH IS A PROBLEM? TRY PRUNING OFF THE FIRST THREE SETS OF SIDES,THEN AS THE OTHER SIDES GROW,PULL THEM BACK( TOWARD THE BASE ) AND DOWN TO THE BACK AND/OR EDGES OF ALLOTED SPACE---PICTURE SETS OF AIR PLANE WINGS.THIS WILL GIVE YOU LONGER SETS OF SIDES IN A CONFINED SPACE.
WE ALSO INITIALY BURY ALL SIDES AND THE MAIN ( ADDING SMALL AMTS OF MICO AND ROOT SHIELD AS WE BURY )AFTER SQUASH VINE BORER SEASON HAS PASSED? WE GO BACK AND UNCOVER THE MAIN ( THE SIDES WILL SOMEWHAT UNCOVER THEMSELVES AS THEY GROW OR GET RAINED ON,ETC )

1/5/2012 10:35:04 AM

Ontario

Pap, I have a question, which I hope you don't consider dumb.Being a second year grower ,I think I can still ask them and still get away with it!lol Why late in the season do you uncover the mains and sides? Terry

1/5/2012 12:00:32 PM

Nottingham, UK

Pap,
I wish I had come across this last year when it was my first for growing. Needless to say I found most of the info out eventually from the helpful folk that contrubute on this site.

If I may ask a quick question. I had an issue with my main vine growing vertically for quite some height. I eventually got it down okay and everything was fine. However, at the time someone suggested that next time I plant a seedling that i tilt it slightly to assist later.

Is this good practice or will the plant grow vertically anyway until it is long and heavy enough to want to lay down?

Thanks

Pete

1/5/2012 12:22:31 PM

Frankfort Ohio

Also the turning of vines back toward the stump works great you can run longer sides i like to keep my side vines 10-12ft up to about the 3rd one before the fruit then i run it out past the others and run it clear back to the stump check out Thad Starr's set up it sure helps pack more plant in a smaller space great info Pap keep it coming

1/5/2012 4:51:12 PM

Frankfort Ohio

Meaford i will let pap answer your second question but i can tell you from past experience the only dumb question is the one that a grower doesn't ask people asking questions and the info on this site is the reason this hobby is growing

1/5/2012 4:55:14 PM

Rhode Island

meaford, we uncover the main mid season so that it can breath.this also help avoid vine rot.

dandytown,tilting the plant when putting in ground helps a little but either way some mains are very difficult to lay dowm.

1/6/2012 4:30:16 AM

Nottingham, UK

I also uncovered my vines mid season as per advice and at the end of the season I could see why it wasnt neccesary to have them covered anymore.

The tap root at each node was at least 8" deep and well and truly anchored the vine down. Had to tug really hard to remove the vine when clearing up the patch.

1/6/2012 7:29:03 AM

Ontario

Thanks Pap.Every bit of information,helps to bring about success,in the quest for 2000lbs.Thanks again. Terry

1/6/2012 9:57:55 AM