From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Antwerp, Belgium

Hi,

My biggest pumpkin so far is lying so close to the main vine that when the pumpkin grows, it 's going to push against the vine and damage the pumpkin.

I tried to push the pumpkin away but both the vine and the pumpkin itself are too tight to move.

What can I do about this?

PS I could post a picture but I don't know how

7/24/2014 2:34:10 AM

Antwerp, Belgium

I found out how to submit that pic but it waits for approval. How am I notified that it is approved and get a link to the photo?

7/24/2014 2:40:57 AM

Germany

Check out this thread (S-curves), it might help avoid such troubles in future.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=511882

For evaluating the current situation (i.e., for making resonable suggestions) some pics are necessary.

7/24/2014 5:32:49 AM

Williamsburg,KY

You may need to cut the roots on the vine to reposition the vine. Do this once it warms up, not in the cool of the morning. Once the roots at the bottom of the vine are cut, gently move the vine away. Hope this helps.

7/24/2014 6:45:42 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Move the pumpkin slowly several inches every day until it is in a good position...In the heat of the day. Never when it is cold..

7/24/2014 7:30:11 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I saw your photo post. I had one similar; you can see it in my diary. I was able to help it out by moving the growing end of the main as it was not rooted down yet. As the pumpkin grows you can move it a little each day. Just wait until late in the day. Cool vines and stems snap easily in the morning. You will need to have vine roots cut at least 2 nodes each way from the pumpkin and block them up as the pumpkin grows.

7/24/2014 7:48:39 AM

Germany

Found your pic in the Photo Gallery. Looks like it´s just about the right time for making a nice S-curve into the vine. (As mentioned above by the others, it is important that such manipulations on the vine should be done on a warm afternoon.)

7/24/2014 8:20:21 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

When I do big moves I do not water for 24 hrs before.. Makes things more limber when the plant is water stressed it is more rubbery.. In my opinion .. Good luck

7/24/2014 8:46:50 AM

Antwerp, Belgium

Thanks for all the good advice!

7/24/2014 12:32:36 PM

East Jordan, MI

There are several things you can do.

I can't find it right now but I think it was Shazzy that put a piece of Styrofoam between the pumpkin and the vine and let the pumpkin growth push the vine back. I found that this still creates stem stress (or at least I think it does)

so instead of that we drive a wooden stake (like a 2x2) behind the stem about a foot to 18 inches away from the stem. Take some knee high panty hose and put it around the vine about a foot from where it meets the stem and tied it to the stake with slight tension (move the vine about 1/4 inch at a time). Pull it back every day (You may have to cut a side vine to give it some extra slack ( I would opt for one past the pumpkin if this is absolutely necessary) This seems to stay ahead of the growth and causes less stem stress because you are bending the vine farther from the stem.

Last year we actually drove a stell T post about 15 ft in front of the pumpkin (in the direction that you want to pull it) and clamped the mill fabric between two 2x4s with bolts through the 2x4s and mill fabric, tied a rope to the 2x4s, and used a come-a-long to drag the mill fabric (and the pumpkin) away from the vine.

I think I will have to do the same thing for the 1676.5 this year.

7/24/2014 10:10:34 PM

Antwerp, Belgium

I used little bamboo sticks which I put in the
ground to move the vine in the "right" direction.

As you can see on the picture I posted, it's already much better in a period of 2 days.

7/25/2014 2:47:56 PM

Germany

This looks like it´s going to go in the right direction :-)

Another 2 or 3 days and you will have a nice S-curve. Don´t stop too early.

7/26/2014 6:05:55 AM