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nOVA sCOTIA

I know its probably been discussed before but i can't seem to get much info on this . Has the largest been grown with the main terminated or left to grow out ? Apical Dominance

7/13/2021 10:40:37 AM

Watlington, UK

Yes discussed many times. My current thinking is that the apex stimulates nutrients to flow up the vine - which are intercepted by the fruit.

That said, there's not much point in vine growth after the fruit, if all the nutrients produced from that area of the plant goes up to the end of the vine, and not down towards the fruit.

So this year, I'm planning on terminating the vine about 10-15 feet past the fruit. Then it will be like all the leaves will be 15 feet either side of the vine, and all of it will go to the fruit. So the theory goes..!

7/13/2021 2:15:07 PM

Colorado

I keep mine going because im superstitious.So if youre smart dont copy me.

7/13/2021 4:23:42 PM

Western NY

I've been keeping mine going to about Sept 1 or so.

7/13/2021 4:54:45 PM

Wisconsin

I deadheaded the main vine right at the pumpkin on my 2261, seemed to do fine, was stilling doing 6lbs a day into OCT until the day I picked it.

7/14/2021 9:04:58 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

Hey Mike was that secondary vine right at the stem eventually terminated as well ? And how long did you let that small vine run ?

7/14/2021 9:10:51 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Carl, we’ve grown both ways and terminating main vine at the pumpkin has always grown us our largest pumpkins. There are also many advantages to terminating after the fruit (eliminates vine stress, gives more room, easier for main vine to lift before the fruit, easier to put up shade cover) so for us, we continue to grow both ways but if I do terminate at the fruit, we allow secondaries to be longer on both sides plus we will allow a secondary or 2 to continue growing until end of August like Mr. Wolf.

7/14/2021 5:34:58 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

Hi Glenn i terminated one main today and will most likely terminate the main on my other plant tomorrow. They are both pretty much up against the end walls. I like that method of terminating a few inches past the pumpkin and will try it next time i grow for sure. Just though the post might get some kind of a discussion going on the subject but i guess it really doesnt matter whether terminated or not

7/14/2021 8:39:22 PM

Wisconsin

Carl, the secondary at the pumpkin eventually terminated itself, it got to about 20 feet and then just "star headed" and stopped growing, it never really rooted either and leafs where small, I guess the kin stole all of its juice.

7/15/2021 5:42:10 AM

Bethlehem CT

I think it is a good question. A few years back it used to be thought that the main had to stay on the plant after the pumpkin. But if Moby Mike can grow a 2261, How bad could it be? Does anyone know of any other pumpkins over 2200 pounds that were grown with a main vine dead ended after the pumpkin? It is so much easier to deadhead the vine right after the pumpkin. I would be happy to hear it makes no difference.

7/15/2021 7:24:51 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Carl, here is what I did on one plant that was being difficult to train.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=326024

7/15/2021 9:15:10 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

A little science on apical dominance would be great or if the largest in the world were terminated at the pumpkin . I really like Mikes growing method its driving me crazy wondering what to do as my mains are still growing aggressively. As of yesterday one is terminated and one is not

7/15/2021 9:22:03 AM

Torrance, Ca.

I had to term mine this year because of the same situation you have Carl. I've always thought it would be interesting if we could inject the main with something and somehow see how much energy goes past the fruit then comes back for the so called " back feeding " .
This has always been something we've wondered..

7/22/2021 10:27:59 AM

Grittyville, WA

To the best of my knowledge: Mendi let his vines grow out. Willemijns wasnt a huge square footage past the fruit but it might have been out 20 ft. Daletas let his go for like 40 ft I think but he dead ended many vines but others he let grow including a couple tertiaries. Mobeymike has grown the biggest on a dead ended main as far as I know.

I wouldnt worry about it stealing energy from the pumpkin and at day 30 I think you are past where the auxins would interfere with the bud growth?

I think the real question that needs to be answered is how much root growth do you want past the pumpkin.

7/22/2021 12:18:03 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Find out what the Pattons do, and repeat.

7/22/2021 1:17:36 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

I terminated my main at the fruit. In part, the idea was to leave the space in my small patch for the secondaries above the fruit to grow out. Best laid plans: all the secondaries near the fruit self-terminated.

7/22/2021 1:51:10 PM