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Minnesota([email protected])

Do you think it's a good idea to plant backup plants out in the patch, in case your first choices fail in any way. What are the possible failures? I'm guessing a really bad ribbon vine could end your season for that plant. I'd like to hear the pros and cos of backup plants in the patch.

3/27/2006 12:44:50 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Lots of things can go bad: hail, vine borers, a deer getting into the patch. Having more plants gives you more chances for sucess. The down side is that more plants means more work. If you get too many, you won't be able to give each one enough attention. You have to analize your capabilities and don't over-extend yourself.

3/27/2006 1:03:56 PM

Nashville, TN

In my patch I always count on a 50% vine failure rate. And yes, I plant a ton of them!

Between weather glitches, insects, animals, fungus, or just trying a variety that doesn't like your climate that summer.. It's a gamble if you have too few.

Seems that most growers have a minimum of 5 vines listed in their diaries.

3/27/2006 1:27:46 PM

No Place Special

Yes back up plants planted in the patch is a VERY good idea.

3/27/2006 1:36:23 PM

Western NY

yes. plant one every time. usually just one of your own seeds that is expendable, because you'll almost never need it. but when you do, you'll be glad it was there.

you'll also want to have backups staged to start every week indoors for the first month just in case something wipes out everything outdoors. you'd rather have a small giant than none at all.

3/27/2006 1:56:34 PM

Taber, Alberta

Yes, plant a backup. I came within 1 inch of falling on the main vine 3 feet out 2 years ago. Just lost my balance in the patch and I had no backup planted. One inch further and my year would have been over in early June.
Alan

3/27/2006 3:14:08 PM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

Yes, it is always a good idea to CYA

3/27/2006 4:37:10 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Staged backups are now SOP! Learned that lesson years ago.

3/27/2006 6:53:12 PM

Norton, MA

Well, I have a diferent opinion, somewhat. I've had plants fail each year, and never got over 1000 yet. I agree with Andy, if I was to plant a backup, it would be my own seed, but I can't always pull a plant when I want to. I CAAAANNNN, but I CCCCCCAAAAAAAANNNNN"""""TTTTTTT. You can have a plant failure up till you pick the pumpkin, and a backup does give insurance, but leaving one longer than a month or so (in most cases) will hinder the other plant. I don't know, maybe I should, but in my specific case, it actually helps for me to know that if the plant's gone, it's gone. It helps to keep me serious every minute. Maybe that'll get me this year. AleX Noel.

3/27/2006 7:25:50 PM

Buffalo, MN ([email protected])

Doug, I plant plenty of backups, go with one extra of your high priority and then several others that you have multiple seeds and then go to your own seeds. Last year I had one come up and flat vine on me immediately, another came up and started splitting it's vine, another just took nine days to come up. I replaced these with spares, the next day it froze and I lost four more and I was able to use some additional spares and restarted several. I have gone to multiple plant times to eliminate the last minute rush. Your lucky in a friend has germination problems and you can give them your spares, or plant them in the swamp.
Bill

3/27/2006 10:08:42 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

I always start a backup. You never no what could happen.

3/28/2006 12:12:55 AM

Puyallup, WA

I plant a back-up for every five plants. I have left them in one gallon pots up to three weeks.....can you say, "Root bound?" Yet, they snap out of it and take off when planted!

3/28/2006 12:28:01 AM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Yeah, and you can always give those unused back-up plants to other growers, right Stan?

3/28/2006 4:32:43 PM