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Haslet Texas

hello fellers! been asking a ton of questions lately in all areas of the forum. guess thats the point....in a way. anyway, all the knowledge I've gained from here has helped tremendously! I am a late planter here in Texas, but your advice has this plant growing like CRAZY!!! the problem is.... its about 3ft long and growing at a 45 toward the sun! the vine at the ground is the size of a cue ball. I have read about removing the second true leaf because this acts like a natural kick stand. this is exactly true with my plant. if I removed the second leaf it would have the necessary room to go ahead and lay down. trouble is, I am scared to screw something up. in my head having a open wound or spot on the vine is just begging for disease or trouble. if I had one of the recommended captan, or sulfur, I wouldn't be as worried but I don't have any. I can order some but at the rate its growing I could be in trouble before it arrived. any help would be appreciated, or maybe just tell me to take a valum and enjoy watching it grow. take care!

7/3/2017 7:55:16 PM

Central NY

Lol...I remeber my first...just cut it and help it down whens it's warm out ...save the Valium ...yer gonna need it in a few weeks

7/3/2017 8:07:01 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Lol...porkchop speaks the truth, remove the kickstand...

7/3/2017 8:36:48 PM

Haslet Texas

so just whack it off level with the main vine and don't worry? sharp knife? shears? thinking about wiping down my sharp filet knife with alcohol

7/3/2017 8:52:09 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Don't fret over 1 leaf, you're gonna be cutting a jungle down when the plant is big. I use a Stihl Farmboss.

7/3/2017 9:33:32 PM

Haslet Texas

I guess I will go cut it! F me!!

7/3/2017 9:57:39 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Ok, I'm reposting cause I hated it when I was new and got answers like I just gave. Use a sharp knife and cut down close to the vine without penetrating. Some people use fungicides on everywhere they cut, but I never have and have been fine. With the amount of tendrils and third growth stage leaves you'll be removing later, it's next to impossible to treat all cuts unless you have lots of free time. Also, once you have a bad storm where vine are ripped in half and leaves are removed, you'll see how resilient the plants are. It's really humid and hot here, so my goal is to always keep all wounds and cuts dry, but that little kickstand cut is nothing.

7/3/2017 9:58:28 PM

Haslet Texas

got ya! I really appreciate you helping with a explanation!! I sliced it off wit ha razor sharp filet knife, somewhat pressed it downward with two bamboo skewers, but also placed a pair in a X underneath it about an inch or so to catch it and not make the bend so suddenly!

7/3/2017 10:29:31 PM

Upa Creek, MO

You probably have heard this, but best time to work with those vines at a young stage and generally most of the time is when it's hot and the sun is on them. They become more pliable. The vines can easily snap in the mornings. Good luck

7/3/2017 10:36:29 PM

Arizona

I use a water bleach 10 to 1. I sanitize my shears for each different plant when pruning. If I'm cutting out diseased leaf I sanitize between cuts. I remember my first trimming almost freaked out until it healed. lol

7/3/2017 10:46:57 PM

Central Illinois

Have something to catch the vine so it doesn't drop to the ground, you want to gradually do it so the vine doesn't kink

7/4/2017 8:27:16 AM

Plainville, Connecticut 06062

The other option when you don't want to cut or if the kick stand is a 50x50 problem is to dig a shallow trench under the kickstand vine which will then help the main vine lay down. Most years I do not cut the kicker because I don't want to interfere with the plants growth at this young stage. If you make the cut just make sure you check on it later to make sure it healed over and became hard where the kick stand stem meets the main vine.

7/4/2017 5:58:23 PM

Central NY

Just cut the bastard...

7/4/2017 11:39:01 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Saggy, my local Lowes & Home Depot have daconil in a powder form. I went next to dollar general & bought a couple of "diner store ketchup bottles" empty of course!! Fill about 1/2 way with the daconil, and it become a puffer, to dust your cuts with...takes about 3 practice attempts to figure out how to make it just dust! Peace, Wayne

7/5/2017 3:56:45 PM