Steering Pumpkins

[DarkCrow]

Hey all

Both my pumpkins are rocketing onbut are in danger of the clash of the titans each plant has developed around 4 to 5 runners which seem to grow around 2 ft every 3 to 4 days, is there anyway of streering them ain the right direction? and will so many runners have an impact on fruit size? Can i trim back the excess safley or just leave em to it?

Thanks again

[rustylady]

Have you got any fruit set yet?

[DarkCrow]

Not yet, they just seem to be sending out "feelers" and lots of em!

[Jeanied]

They do that, DC - they run for the hills before settling down to have a family. You'll have to get them to circle the waggons a bit and peg them down.
Gosh I love pumpkins and squashes - they are such characters!!!

[SMT]

Hi Darkcrow,

Yes you can steer them very easily. The best time to do it is during a warm part of the day as the vines will be more flexible. If you try to do them first thing in the morning you will probably find they just snap off!

Use 2 bamboo canes in a 'criss-cross' fashion to keep the vine close to the ground about a 1.5ft from the vine tip. If you go too close to the tip the new growth starts trying to curl round the bamboo canes. Vines behind the canes can be partially buried to help anchor them down. It should develop secondary roots under each leaf axil anyway. Once the tip has grown far enough out place a new set of bamboo canes in the direction you’re wanting it to grow.

Once your secondary vines have reached the extent of your growing space you can nip out the growing tip. This should direct the growth back into you pumpkins or main vine. Also nip out any new shoots that appear from the leaf axils on your secondary vines as this is wasted energy which will reduce pumpkin size but secondary vines are ok.

[DarkCrow]

They do that, DC - they run for the hills before settling down to have a family. You'll have to get them to circle the waggons a bit and peg them down.
Gosh I love pumpkins and squashes - they are such characters!!!

Cheers MoM x

Hi Darkcrow,

Yes you can steer them very easily. The best time to do it is during a warm part of the day as the vines will be more flexible. If you try to do them first thing in the morning you will probably find they just snap off!

Use 2 bamboo canes in a 'criss-cross' fashion to keep the vine close to the ground about a 1.5ft from the vine tip. If you go too close to the tip the new growth starts trying to curl round the bamboo canes. Vines behind the canes can be partially buried to help anchor them down. It should develop secondary roots under each leaf axil anyway. Once the tip has grown far enough out place a new set of bamboo canes in the direction you’re wanting it to grow.

Once your secondary vines have reached the extent of your growing space you can nip out the growing tip. This should direct the growth back into you pumpkins or main vine. Also nip out any new shoots that appear from the leaf axils on your secondary vines as this is wasted energy which will reduce pumpkin size but secondary vines are ok.

Many Thanks SMT!