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Macomb County

I have a theory, based on my experience, about club root seeds. And wonder if anyone else has the same thing happen?
But I notice when I started my seeds early, without keeping them evenly warm, 80% could become club rooted.
Whereas, if I kept them evenly warm the whole time they were germinating, they didn't do that.

So, my thinking is, if not kept evenly warm, they stop germinating at night when they cool down too much and start again when they get warm enough again during the day. And maybe it could be the start/stop effect on the emerging root that causes it to thicken and go clubbed?

It might be genetic, but it seemed to be environmentally caused for me.

5/2/2009 12:41:47 AM

Ohio

I dont know if this is just me , but it seemed to happened to me often when using peroxide, maybe its just a conincedence, but its something I always wondered about.

5/2/2009 4:16:47 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Jack thats not a very good theory. In nature the top 3 inches of soil heats and cools every day. Some times varying double digits in temperature. I do not beleive what we are calling club root is actually a club root. Club root is caused by a fungus and in most plants is eventually fatal. I think it is caused more by the grower, than the seed it self.

5/2/2009 7:29:38 AM

Rhode Island

we have had club roots on a couple seedlings over the years.our heat is constant 85 to 90 degrees - day or night.
then again who knows ,anything is possible.
i believe that it it caused by the genetic traits in the seed.just like the ribbon vine that started showing up several years ago.
the more we cross breed the more things can happen. both good and bad.

5/2/2009 7:52:22 AM

Long Island,New York

I've often thought that its just some damage to the very tip of the root....due to many possibilities such as too strong a hydrogen peroxide concentration, damage to tip while you pseudo-scientists remove coats and naked seed the poor things and use baggies, fungus attack in the potting soil or from other infections. Perhaps initial damage to the immature tip during the drying seeds precess.....in the end I have always found my clubbers to do better plant-growth-wise after getting started. I'd love a season with just club rooted multiple vined plants to tend to...nothing like faster bigger root systems with faster multiple side vines....G

5/2/2009 9:05:55 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I started 3 seeds at the same time soaked in a water/kelp solution then folded into moist paper towel and put into a sealed zip lock bag and onto a constant monitored heat source.

All 3 seeds sprouted within 36 hours and 1 of them had a club root...same conditions...differant seeds.

The club root seed is now possibly the fasted and best looking seedling.

Conclusion....none....it just happens.

5/2/2009 11:47:30 AM

[email protected]

There seems to be a lot of talk about club roots lately. I agree with North Shore Boyz. I've started seeds in many different ways. In my experience each way you get a club root sometimes. In most cases the club root has no effect in the long run. I believe this makes the point moot.

5/2/2009 2:02:08 PM

Macomb County

It clears up a lot. I guess it just happens. I didn't know.
It just seemed the Springs I skipped the extra effort of a heated germination box, because we had a warm spell is when I got the most. Put the seed in pots in a sunny window or outside in a sunny spot and brought them in at night. Thinking the house would be warm enough at night. But if it happens regardless, nice to know that and relax about it too.

5/2/2009 5:07:53 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

There ya go Marty, nice of you to open up to other options than just your own theories. Very open minded thinking....good for you!

5/2/2009 10:46:55 PM