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Lodi, California

Hi,

I have noticed from what experience I have, that the first secondary on the main vine can be just about as large as the main vine by this time of year. Has anyone tried setting back ups on the first secondary as a sort of secondary main vine in case the set on the main does not go as planned? Thanks.

8/15/2014 3:43:51 PM

Bethlehem CT

I have grown pumpkins on the first secondary many times. They are big vines like the main but they will not sustain as much growth over the long haul. Many times I have set a fruit on the first secondary and the main. I did it last year on two plants I grew. I wanted a big pumpkin because of a few lean years in a row. So I backed off on the one pumpkin per plant rule and allowed two to grow. My Haist pumpkin grew an 854 on the main and a 600 pounder on the first secondary. A better grower could probably do 1200 on the main and 900 or 1000 on the secondary.

8/15/2014 5:27:26 PM

Quincy, CA

I grew one 916 pounds about 4 feet out on the first secondary in 2011 when I couldn't get a main vine one to set.
Don't figure on setting any records with a secondary vine pumpkin but sometimes it's better than no pumpkin at all.
At least I had one to enter at Elk Grove (18th place).

8/15/2014 7:19:06 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

I intentionally have directed the first secondary in the opposite direction and allowed it to set sidevines just like the main. That will feed a pretty nice fruit, and if done with the skills of some of these professionals I'd bet they could pull off a heavyweight.

8/16/2014 10:00:30 PM