Xmas Tree Pruning Technique

Here is the Xmas Tree Method of pruning as I understand it. I believe Norm
Craven developed this method some time ago.  It is not exactly new. More and
more people are using this and especially some of those with limited space.
Chris Anderson used this method to grow his big one. I believe the overall
size of his plant was around 1250 square feet give or take.

Anyway here goes. You start the plant at one end of your plot, and direct the
growth of the main vine either by covering the vine or directing its growth
each day using stakes. Likewise you train the secondary vines to grow out at
90 degree angles to the main vine. When the pumpkin on the main vine is
pollinated, most often in the 10 to 20 feet out range, and appears to be
taking, you cut off both secondary vines at that point and adjust the pumpkin
slowly so that it has a good "lie" on the vine, a right angle coming off, a
slight bend in the vine. By removing the lateral vines (the secondary vines)
at the growing site you have created a potential path to the pumpkin. You lay
boards or whatever on the ground so that you can walk to and from the pumpkin
such that you don't compress the soil. 

The secondary vines are trained to grow out at 90 degree angles from the
primary vine by covering or staking the vines. All tertiary vine growth is
removed. The secondary vines are allowed to grow out 12 to 15 feet. They are
then pruned off and the tips buried. The main vine is allowed to grow to 30 to
35 feet in overall length and then pruned off and buried. You should allow it
to grow 15 feet or so beyond the pumpkin if there is one on the main vine.

Some growers allow more than one primary vine to grow. Some growers allow the
first two secondary vines to grow as though they were primary vines. Some
prune off all primary vines except the main one. Norm Craven allows only one
primary vine and prunes all secondary vines at 12 to 15 feet. 

The Xmas tree approach is not new. It may have been in use for ten years.

You are right that your plant could end up being a big rectangle 35 feet long
and 30 feet wide. However, doesn't the Xmas tree approach have a better ring
to it than the rectangle approach?

If anyone out there has anything more to add regarding the Xmas Tree pruning
technique, please chime in.

Marv in Altoona PA
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