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Edmonton, 53.5N, 113.6W

I was putting a bend in the main yesterday and overdid it - I cracked the main vine. It's about half way through and seems to still be growing well. I have to make a decision to abort the main and retrain a secondary or go with the cracked main and hope the pipeline is big enough to feed a pumpkin. Anyone have any experience with something like this, grown a pumpkin off a cracked main?

6/18/2015 5:28:15 PM

South Hero, VT

I've done that in the past. Used popsicle sticks and duct tape to mend the crack. Ended up with a large knot at the break and a small pumpkin.

I would retrain a secondary.

6/18/2015 5:43:15 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Retrain a secondary. It might not get as much energy through as a solid main vine but it will be much better than a cracked main.

6/18/2015 6:24:33 PM

Central NY

Yup.. Welcome to the idiot club reckhard..did the same thing last year..the crack went about 1/4 of the way through the main..I figured the season was over and through a shovel full of dirt over it... The crack healed into a big knot and the Pumpkin went 1071.5..now, the key to success is to learn from your mistakes...just yesterday the 451weibel snapped more than halfway.. Had to cut 2' of the main and am left with a nub to get started again..we'll see how it goes....Btw.. Im not just an idiot ,I'm president of the club..

6/18/2015 6:46:02 PM

Wixom MI.

If you can successfully graft two different plants together i dont see why a cracked vine can't heal properly ? I would just bury it and let it heal and root.

6/18/2015 7:06:38 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

I am not going to say yes or no but I sliced half way through my main by accident. I was so embarassed, I didn't tell anyone. I ended up with a 987 my best ever. It always makes me wonder what I could have had without the gauge. Would I do it again? I,m not sure. ps I did not bury mine because of fear of rotting. good luck what ever you decide,

6/18/2015 7:51:29 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

I am not going to say yes or no but I sliced half way through my main by accident. I was so embarassed, I didn't tell anyone. I ended up with a 987 my best ever. It always makes me wonder what I could have had without the gauge. Would I do it again? I,m not sure. ps I did not bury mine because of fear of rotting. good luck what ever you decide,

6/18/2015 7:51:29 PM

Cincinnati,OH

You're not an idiot reckhart. I doubt there is anyone who has been growing a while who hasn't done that. Knowing the difference between maximum and optimum is a learning process. I cracked one about 1/2 way through a couple years ago. It was just a genetic plant but it seemed to do just fine. The area knotted over with a big burl.

6/18/2015 8:13:30 PM

Stanwood, Washington

I did the same thing earlier this year. It completely snapped off just after my pumpkin. Now it looks like the Pumpkin is about to abort so I am moving on to side vines.

6/19/2015 11:56:05 AM

East Jordan, MI

I would cut main and turn the next secondary back. I complete vine will feed the fruit better than a partial vine. We grew our PB (1718) last year on a secondary we turned to become the new main.

6/19/2015 8:09:21 PM

Edmonton, 53.5N, 113.6W

I made the decision to chop the main. It pained me to do it and it's probably a one week setback but likely for the best. we'll see how things develop.

6/20/2015 4:05:02 PM