How to predict squash/pumpkin growth direction

[endymion]

I expect most people on here know this already, but I thought this was useful because I'm hoping to train a squash up a trellis.

If you want to know which direction vining squash and pumpkins will grow ... pay attention to that FIRST TRUE LEAF. The plant will GROW IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM THE FIRST TRUE LEAF.

It's on Giant Veggie Gardener's blog There's a handy picture too.

[scarey55]

Oh, how interesting, I didn't know that - thank you

[chris]

Nor me.. Thanks - I just look which way lt leans

[ginger ninger]

Nor me.. Thanks - I just look which way lt leans

I tend to lean towards the bar these day's . My squash on the other hand are better behaved...they grow where I put them.

Very interesting point though endymion.

[Creemteez]

My squash will go where they're bladdy well told! The lottie is the only place where I get to totally say what goes, so I make the most of it. Oh the POWER!!! Mmmwwaa-ha-ha-ha!!!!

[Florence Fennel]

That is handy to know, thank you!

[Zenithtb]

My 'everything' goes anywhere. Lately they were attacking my strawberries in their raised bed, now the melons are climbing up the pea climber-upper-thingie!

[perkin]

That's very clever. *runs out to garden to check leaf direction on mini pumpkins*

[Nicos]

Well I never knew that either!!!
I always presumed they headed off exactly where I didn't want them to go- ie the paths or over the top of some poor little plants!!!!

[haza1981]

I expect most people on here know this already, but I thought this was useful because I'm hoping to train a squash up a trellis.

If you want to know which direction vining squash and pumpkins will grow ... pay attention to that FIRST TRUE LEAF. The plant will GROW IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM THE FIRST TRUE LEAF.

It's on Giant Veggie Gardener's blog There's a handy picture too.

Whoops...i've just planted mine out following the first true leaf

[endymion]

Whoops...i've just planted mine out following the first true leaf

That's what I'd done, had to dig it up again otherwise it would have romped off in the wrong direction - and that's also really why I posted the link.

[taff]

I think you should have told my pumpkins, they're not listening to you

[binley100]

Whoops...i've just planted mine out following the first true leaf

Thats what I did last year with my pumpkin and it obligingly went in the right direction which was down the compost heap and along the path, rather than up the hawthorn hedge.

[FionaH]

Will I look REALLY silly if I run out to check dressed in my towel? It is dark so might not scare anyone

[binley100]

Dare ya..........