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Location

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Date Posted

San Jose

I can only grow one plant each season, and have got ribbon vines 3 out of the last 5 years. They all seem to start about 1-2 feet out from the stump. They run for about 9 feet before they split into 2 mains. I then cut one and the other becomes my main. My question is: WHY am I getting these---is it genetic or just bad luck? All pumpkins were different seeds.
Thanks!

7/3/2017 12:08:44 PM

aurora, IL

I think it is genetics.

7/3/2017 7:04:47 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I'm going genetic, although you've had some bad luck too. I had one on my only plant this year, and had to cut far back to one of the first secondaries to train as the new main. They suck.

7/3/2017 10:10:26 PM

west central IN/East central IL

I think it's stress. Ive found that the longer they are in pots and more root bound they become, the more likely they will be double vines.

7/3/2017 11:47:19 PM

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7/4/2017 7:59:45 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Mega, mine was set out in the garden mid April and nowhere close to rootbound. BUT, we had 10 inches of rain over 4 days late April which did really stress the plant. It was flooded out and roots could not breath. Just throwing that out there.

7/4/2017 9:08:16 AM

Boscawen, NH

Do a search on "plant fasciation". You will find it is both genetics and stress. I believe they have found at least 14 or so stressors that can kick plants into that mode but temps, lack of sunlight and too little or too much of water are the main ones that they've found. I believe I've also read that the plant must have the recessive gene from both parents. Happens to my pepper plants and tomatoes under extreme weather changes.

7/4/2017 10:14:53 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Clearly the modern day AGP & Big Zac Tomato strains have within their DNA the capacity to produce ribbon vines... In my experience Cold Temperatures and excessive Ammonium Nitrate make them more prevalent. Its a case of the genes being activated by external stimuli that causes the ribbon vine to develop.

7/4/2017 10:55:00 AM

San Jose

Mega, you may be right---I always germinate in a 5 inch peat pot, re-pot up to a gallon plastic pot, and then into patch.
But they are not really root-bound. But, for next season, I'll get the seedling into ground earlier. Thanks all!

7/4/2017 11:13:02 AM