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Pocatello ([email protected])

Club root... when a seed throws out a quarter-inch tap root which "explodes" into a ball with little bumps or points on it, and then stops.

My only guess is that it must be the soil (or seed starting medium) that one uses. Since I always use the same thing, that might explain why this happens so often.

For the record (and I don't know if it IS this) I use Fertilome potting soil to start seeds. Normally this is a very high quality potting soil...... but it's not seed starting mix.

I'd say that 20% to 25% of my seeds over the past few years develop this club root condition.

4/23/2008 1:01:03 AM

Indiana

heat, death of the root tip, hormone imbalances

if this is a continual problem for you, I suggest turning the temp down 5 degrees.

Everyone says all this elaborate junk is necessary to germinate seeds...for the most part that isnt true. If your working with seeds just 1-3 years old, soaking in water for a few hours and then planting in the pot at room temp will get you nearly 100% germination. It will be a few days slower at room temp, but thats not a big deal. Start 2 days sooner.

Tom

4/23/2008 1:32:08 AM

Rexburg, Idaho

I've only ever had one of these. I though it was genetic but if you are having that many and I am having very few perhaps it is environmental.

4/23/2008 2:31:01 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

My thought was that the emerging tap root runs into something, a piece of a twig or a hunk of vermiculite, then runs out of momentum and dies. Heat is another possibility. I use a thermometer and try to keep the temp right around 85... right at the level of the seed. It might be 90 at the bottom of the pot and 80 at the top...

The stuff I'm using does have a lot of vermiculite in it.

4/23/2008 8:16:04 AM

Western NY

It's nothing in the soil, I use the paper towels and have noticed a club root right from the start on a few of them.

my guess would be a damaged tip either as it is emerging from the shell, or if it had become too dry - i would imagine the tip would be the least protected part.

4/23/2008 8:36:59 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

If you put alot of IBA, alot of Hydrogen peroxide, alot of seaweed, or seemingly too much of anything in the seed soak, you will develop some degree of club root.

My guess is that anything that interferes too much in the root development can cause this.

4/23/2008 10:54:53 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Interesting... although I used only distilled water!

4/23/2008 11:56:49 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Maybe the lack of specific nutrients could cause it too.

4/23/2008 12:19:45 PM

Rhode Island

i dont think a club root is a big deal
many championship pumpkins had club roots to begin with

4/24/2008 4:59:46 AM

Utah

Cliff,
I've only had one... and I start all my seeds the same way- zip lock baggy method .. no dirt.
I'm with Tom, Andy - I'd guess that some how the tip of the radical got damaged.

4/24/2008 7:21:09 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Are club roots, and flat vines connected in any way? Peace, Wayne

4/24/2008 9:07:27 PM

Rhode Island

not that i have experoenced wayne

4/24/2008 10:12:06 PM

[email protected]

Our personal best came on a club root. Many growers celebrate a club root.

4/24/2008 11:26:06 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

OK, so... do you just stick with it and wait for it to grow? It must grow pretty slowly at first. In my particular case, I have one that I re-potted. I removed the seed coat, and buried it such that only the tips of the seed leaves are above the soil. The leaves have turned green, but that is about it. No other above ground growth in the last few days.

4/25/2008 11:03:33 AM

Western NY

the only problems i've seen with club roots is that they tend not to grow a long "stem" as they push up through the dirt, so you may have to dig down and pull the seed coat off after a couple days.

4/25/2008 11:27:02 AM