From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Upa Creek, MO

Given current theories on hormones and growing the main after the pumpkin (which I am not sure I fully understand), what are views of plant contribution of secondaries after the pumpkin pollinated on a middle range secondary? Do the further down secondaries "back feed" the fruit on a earlier secondary?

I know there is probably no definitive answer, but any input is appreciated.

6/28/2018 8:20:20 PM

Westmoreland, KS

I think a healthy plant feeds from all areas front, back side, doesn't matter. I say this because every time in the past that I got YVD my pumpkins aborted and generally the YVD showed up after the pumpkin set.

6/28/2018 9:11:56 PM

Grittyville, WA

I do think these secondaries would contribute a lot. But would tertiaries off the secondary with the pumpkin be better positioned to help the pumpkin grow?? I personally think the issue of position on the plant is very important but I have seen no evidence yet of any growth hormone effect.

6/29/2018 2:32:23 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks both of you. That's kind of where I'm going, wondering if removing some of the main and secondaries past the secondary it's pollinated on to make room for terts. I have noticed the terts I do have growing are pretty skinny and they break very easy at their joints\nodes. This is pretty common with any late season growth.

6/29/2018 8:28:08 AM

Grittyville, WA

Well I dont know if you have a kin yet on your plant or how many DAP it is but it may be hard to change the shape of the plant once the pumpkin is taking all the nutrients. Weak stems might mean low potassium--not sure. But maybe its time for a truckload of potassium its easy to grow a big healthy plant and not realize there may not be enough potassium for the pumpkin :)

6/29/2018 12:42:29 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Nope, just the terts are skinny. Main and secondaries are normal.

6/29/2018 2:58:03 PM