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Deer Park, WI

it seems to me, on average, that the tertiary vine buds that appear next to a female flower bud are larger than the tertiary vine buds associated with male flowers. I'm making this observation on secondary vines where the developing tertiaries/reproductive buds are 3 nodes or so from the vine tip.

This observation lends to a theory that a plant "knows" it must preferentially allocate sufficient/more nutrients to developing seeds and ensuring its own legacy.

A tertiary (or any vine bud associated with a female) may, by default, be the beneficiary of this increased nutrient allocation and therefore show increased vigor/growth habit in comparison to its male flower-associated brethren.

Any practical application here? Maybe, maybe not. Simply an observation that may reinforce the idea that female sinks are powerhouses that demand nutrient from the plant. Perhaps the sooner that unwanted females and their associated vine buds are removed, the more likely precious plant resources are diverted to other sinks.

Have you made similar observations?

7/4/2015 10:22:08 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I think that is a good idea. Always good to have a backup or two in an emergency but perhaps I could be more proactive in eliminating females earlier. One thing I have resolved is not to remove the side vine at the keeper pumpkin node. This vine is obviously more vigorous than the others, and cutting it may confuse the plants hormones. I was at the fulk's last year and noted that they do not cut this vine, rather they train it aggressively.

7/4/2015 10:43:37 AM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

15-20 years ago I use to tell interested growers to set a baby on the side vines to get the 'pregnancy' response of those vines, then cull the babies around day 10. I don't do that now (fewer sinks/bigger sinks philosophy) but I believed those secondary vines would be stronger because of it. The plant surely sends signals and I surmise a well balanced amino acid/ mineral supplement (such as seaweed/humics) during early fruit development provides the necessary enzyme blocks for a good signaling (hormonal) system.

7/4/2015 11:09:46 AM