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San Diego

My 991 urena is a club root I believe. It sprouted ok and came up normal, but the root system is pretty underdeveloped still. The good news is that when I transplanted it into the patch today, it did have a couple roots growing in a two directions. They were shallow, maybe 3 inches below the surface and maybe 4 inches long at the most after a week. No main tap root reall developed.

I have heard waaaay too many stories about how these kind of slow small seddlings can grow monsters, so it's gonna stay in the patch. How do I get maximum root growth going with this plant? I hit it with a weak solution of fish and kelp, along with some B-6 when I transplanted today. I have never grown a seed like this and I am afraid my high heat growing conditions might hurt the plant with such a small root system. Any advice on how to get this going is appreciated. Thanks! Jim

5/3/2010 3:09:15 PM

Rhode Island

we have has very good success with plants grown from an original club root seedling. i would not be afraid of it.
you have a great seed there.
pap

5/3/2010 6:18:30 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

With Pap and Ron's help, 2 of the 1068's that were club roots grew my 1044 and 1096.5.
Ron told me to give it a real light drench of fish and seaweed, and apply a little more heat, mine took off like rockets.

5/3/2010 8:51:36 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Whats a club root?

5/4/2010 8:48:09 AM

Pataskala,OH

Does having a club root usually mean the plant can grow a big pumpkin? A seed from my pumpkin last year has a club root.

5/4/2010 2:28:07 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Kenny, first root from the seed looks like a club that Fred Flintstone would use and then it grows side roots from the first club root.....like this;

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=61597

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=62457

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=47051

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=32146

5/4/2010 3:22:20 PM

San Diego, Ca.

I doubt a club root would have much effect on the potential of the plant. Instead of having one tap root you get several smaller roots branching off in different directions but still able to support the plant. When the plant gets larger and is vining and putting down more roots they will kick in and support the plant for what if anything it lacks. Jim remember your 861 and how it grew with out any stump at all. I think I remember Pap saying he grew a pretty decent pumpkin off a plant that lost its stump too. If a plant can grow a big pumpkin without the benefit of the stump its likely the plant will do fine even if the stump roots start off on the small side.
I think your 991 is going to be fine. Besides don't get any ideas of culling that plant...we have some great crosses to make.

5/4/2010 11:02:10 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Years ago, there was an idea / theory floating around that club roots equaled twin/double vines!!! Is there any substance to this rumor? Peace, Wayne

5/5/2010 11:53:16 PM