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Denver, CO

I tried posting this in seed starting forum a few days ago but maybe its more appropriate for here.

I Ran across this article when trying to determine how deep I wanted to till this year.

Is the below article still a valid/suggested method? Who has tried it and with what sort of success?

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=65

3/27/2009 7:51:34 PM

Greencastle, PA

I tried that with a 968 Sproule plant many years ago. It ended up being one of my best plants that year, however I wouldn't attribute that success to this method. The total surface area of those extra roots was not much, so I think my plant would have done just as well if it hadn't been deprived of light for a week. All of the energy that went into growing that long stem could have been used to grow the primary root system, which is a much more rewarding place for a plant to invest its energy.

3/27/2009 9:05:26 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I know this works for tomatoes....are you sure this works giant pumpkins? Do roots actually grow out of the buried stem?

3/27/2009 9:09:47 PM

Jericho Vermont

I have done this before with leggy giant pumpkin seedlings with no ill effect. I have also lost leggy seedlings to wind or other damage when I did not plant them up to their cot leaves. With this being said I have no clue what went on below the ground but all plants responded as well as more stocky seedlings.
John

3/28/2009 11:54:11 AM