Re: Xmas Tree Pruning Technique

pumpkins@mallorn.com wrote:
> 
> 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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By october, you will have one heck of a big tree ornament on there...

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