From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Missouri

Hey fellas!! Will the main vine always grow the opposite way of the first true leave?? Or is this a myth!!!

3/27/2014 7:46:04 PM

Lodi, California

The main vine is s upposted to always fall upposted to the true leaf, unless you physically make it go in a certain direction, or if the plant is mutated. I have not heard of a case of a vine falling in the wrong direction, but I am inexperienced compared to others on this site. You see, the first true leaf comes out of the base of where the cot leaves form, going out in one direction. Automatically, the vine branches out in the opposite direction of the first leaf, and from that time forth, unless affected by any out side force [weather by you or nature (wind, terrain, ect)] will continue to grow in that direction.

3/27/2014 8:50:14 PM

Lodi, California

Sorry about spelling errors, but I think that you get the idea.

3/27/2014 8:50:49 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

There are always exceptions to the rule. I usually have at least one start the main 90 degrees or more off course. Last year only one went the right direction. But you can train them to go where you want. Just do it a little at a time and only in the heat of the day. Try moving them in the morning and you will break the vine.

3/27/2014 10:34:53 PM

East Jordan, MI

As Ashton says, there are always exceptions. But those exceptions can be dealt with by using a bamboo stake or two.

There is a very simple explanation of how the vine almost always goes opposite of the first true leaf.

The second true leaf is usually much bigger than the first true leaf and therefore heavier. Because of this, gravity makes the plant lean toward it (away from the first true leaf). The vine comes from the center of the plant and will head in the direction the plant is leaning. Once it gets longer (and heavier) it will fall to the ground and its off and running.

3/29/2014 4:56:45 PM