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Location

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Date Posted

Cartersville, GA

Hey Guys! This will be my third year growing AG’s and my family and I are totally addicted. I essentially have about two years worth of research under my belt and I feel like we are going to have a pretty good season (fingers crossed). My problem is while currently growing using the christmas tree method; I am having a hard time getting my secondaries to grow. My main vine (which I think turned out to be a double vine) is about 20ft long. My secondaries near the stump are roughly 4 feet off the main and it seems that the secondary vine growth is very sporadic. In some cases I have had the vine grow out about a foot then wither and die, similar to what you see on the male flowers. The pumpkins are doing pretty well and putting on size each and every day, leaves are dark green, no real signs stress (that I can tell). Let me know you opinions.
Thanks!

7/25/2013 4:01:16 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

If you have pumpkins set, and no reason to keep growing the main, cut the tip of the main off. This will trigger a hormonal change in the plant causing secondaries to grow rapidly.

7/25/2013 6:14:02 PM

Connecticut

Any chance you can post a link to a picture? But based on your description it sounds like there is an issue with the plant as a mine vine out 20ft should have secondaries longer than just 4ft at the base.

Do you have more than one plant growing? Is this happening to all of your plants or just one?

Cutting the main can increase the secondaries to grow, but you only get once chance to cut the main and I personally think you have other issues going on and cutting the main vine may help, but it is not getting at the core issue you have going on. Any chance you have a recent soil test report?

7/25/2013 10:35:06 PM

Cartersville, GA

Hey Guys. This weekend I successfully terminated my main vine…. As scary as it was, I did it! I just have one plant growing this year. No soil sample this year, I had one done two seasons ago by UGA, didn’t really get the data I wanted, but it “seemed” to be alright. Next year I will get one from an independent lab. Here is a link of what I am working with http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=205333

7/29/2013 9:51:26 AM