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Claysburg , PA

How much does the plant after the pumpkin contribute to growth ? Any insight would be welcomed .

Thanks James

7/23/2015 10:02:39 PM

Colorado

good question OWE. I suspect it may contribute to the late growth when the back of the plant is ageing badly. I think the main vine and the secondaries closest to the fruit, including after, are the major players

7/23/2015 11:03:42 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Hi James. I believe that if you dead head the main at the pumpkin the plant is fully aligned to give all nutrients to the pumpkin. If you keep the main growing, you must be diligent to remove new pumpkins within the first 5 days or so. Maybe that is too long even. This is because the plants natural hormones are directing nutrients and growth to specific regions. The plant "knows" that more pumpkins = more seeds and that is the genetic code all plants and animals except humans run on. You must defeat the programmed agenda of the plant by removing all new pumpkins immediately. This is my theory and only that but to back feed a pumpkin requires careful pruning of all new fruit. A slight deviation could delay or prevent the water and nutrient from going to your desired spot. Just theory of course.

7/24/2015 2:08:52 AM

Midway, UT

Pap talks about having to remove the main right up to the pumpkin because of rot. According to him, if I remember correctly, he said the pumpkin still put on 400 pounds. Based on that, I think back feeding is possible.

7/24/2015 7:03:17 PM

East Jordan, MI

the newest roots are the most efficient. And my opinion is the plant as a whole, will feed the pumpkins, no matter if before or after the pumpkin -- that is its entire purpose (to make seeds).

7/24/2015 9:17:40 PM

Claysburg , PA

Thanks for the help gentlemen . I think I will let the main past the pumpkin keep on growing to back feed . It cant hurt .

7/24/2015 9:52:23 PM