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Charlotte, NC

I just thought I would list all my questions in one spot, if that's okay.

1. Why bury the vines? Bury them all..main, seconds, tendrils, etc..?

2. Does the vine also try and root itself into the ground as it grows. If so, is that what I'm seeing as thick white protrusion along main going into the ground? (sounds stupid I know, but just in case they aren't roots, or I'm not suppose to let them root in the first place)

3. What's the deal with the stump?

4. Why shade fruit and stump?

5. What does a changing vine color mean? Going from light green to dark green along main where seconds split off. Is this the change from vegetative to fruit stage?

6. Why use tea?

7. Is it okay to grow on a slope?

8. What is a good starter seed. As of now, I have Big Max pumpkin seeds for next year. but after having found this place, they will become experiments over the fall and the one(s) I'll plant next seasons will come from here.

That should keep someone busy for a while, no? Thanks in advance!

-ed

7/12/2010 12:10:34 PM

Charlotte, NC

Also, what about accidentally snapping vines? And what is pinching? If I want to remove dead leaves, is that okay? Just pluck them off? Should I be putting any healing medication on the exposed areas?

7/12/2010 12:21:33 PM

Hello from Raleigh.
1. burying vines helps promote the roots to grow from each node down into the ground. more roots are good because they suck up water and nutrients! also, burying and the subsequent root growth help stabalize the plant in strong winds. also squash vine borers lay their eggs on the vine. if the vine is not exposed, they can't lay their eggs on there. the bad thing about burying is that if the soil is very wet, the vine could rot. in my opinion the benefits outweigh that.

2. those are probably roots. let 'em root!!!

I gotta run, I'll let someone else tackle the rest of your questions. :-)

7/12/2010 12:41:12 PM

Charlotte, NC

Thanks.
If rooting is encouraged, why do some lift their vines off the ground, using what looks like pool "noondles"? Are they used only on the vine right before and after a fruit set for some reason?

7/12/2010 12:54:05 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

When you get a pumpkin growing you have to cut the root at the pumpkin and a few nodes each side of it. Then you prop the vine up to relieve stress on the stem. If you don't do this, the pupkin can tear itself right off the vine. you also need to remove the secondary vine that grows at the pumpkin so the fruit doesn't pin it to the ground.

I usually start burying the main vine about 1' out from the stump and quit after about 5'. It helps keep wind ffrom ripping up the vines. I also bury secondary vines at the leaf/root nodes for rooting and wind protection.

You shade the fruit to keep the skin from getting hard and splitting. Vine color can vary from plant to plant. Compost tea is used to encourage natural bacterial activity in the soil and control some leaf diseases. If you grow on a slope, make sure it isn't too seep or you will never get your pumpkin moves if it gets big.

7/12/2010 1:24:53 PM

Rudolph

The vine is suppose to be lifted before and after fruit( just a few feet),,, thats what you are seeing,,, the reason for this is to releive stress from the stalk going in to the pumpkin,,,,

The stump is the begining of the main,,,,(were the plant comes out of the ground,

Tea helps the benifical bacteria in your soil(bacteria helps the over all health of your plant)(Tea will also have a good amount of bacteria in it....

You shade the stump in order to keep it dry(perventing rot!)

The fruit is shaded in order to keep the sun off the the fruit.(the sun will age and rippen the pumpkin)

7/12/2010 1:33:02 PM

Nova Scotia

I grow on a fairly steep slope with little soil and i grew 841lbs last year

7/12/2010 1:39:06 PM

Upa Creek, MO

If on a slope, you should probably grow down to prevent the stump from too much water. You'll also have to adjust water depending on your substrate and percolation. I currently grow on a mild slope.

7/12/2010 2:24:29 PM

Charlotte, NC

All great information. Thank you everyone.
So loose soil under the vine so rooting takes place easier.
Shade plant/fruit from wind/sun to prevent aging and splitting.
Burying is optional but has pest control advantages and discourages ripping the roots out from wind.
Tea and fertilizer promote healthy, pest/disease free vines/fruit.

Any thoughts on vine/stem/stump damage and how to promote a healthy recovery or on when and why you should remove leaves/stems/vines?

7/12/2010 2:41:34 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

Vines, stems and stumps occasionally split and require special attention until they heal the exposed tissue. We apply a fungicide powder or paste to prevent infections.

A few leaves can be removed with no noticeable consequences. If you have a leaf heavily infected with a very tough disease it might be best to remove it. Broken leaves laying on the ground also seem to spell trouble in my experience.

Each leaf node has a bottom and potentially a top tap root which can develop. Burying the vine is also to encourage the top root to grow when it wouldn't normally do so.

We remove vines primarily to keep the growth from overlapping itself. Normal plant patterns completely fill in the patch with only the main vine and the secondary vines which branch directly from it. Any vine growing on the secondaries that will interfere with established growth we trim off to keep the plant from competing with itself. Sometimes this growth is allowed on the very first side vines in order to take advantage of the open space behind the plant.

7/12/2010 9:52:36 PM

Charlotte, NC

Thank you Newman. Should I avoid removing too many leaves at one time off of a single vine to avoid undue stress?

7/12/2010 9:56:18 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

The plants can handle pretty much any amount of trimming. However your leaves are the powerhouse for fruit production so cutting a lot off at once will likely cause a dip in lbs per day and also may result in a brief spurt of vegetative growth as the plant tries to compensate for the lost leaves.

The trick is to let the Force guide you...and you'll be unstoppable, understand?

7/13/2010 11:35:04 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Newman, I know all about the force. So I can go out and wave my hand over the pumpkin and say "you will grow to 2000lbs this year"?

7/14/2010 6:56:37 AM

Anchorage, Alaska

Luke, the Force isn't strong enough in you.

You'll need to turn to the Dark Side.

7/14/2010 8:07:48 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

-ed...on this incredible site, there is a "search" function! It has an incredible amount of information!!! Let me know if it helps!!! Serious!! Peace, Wayne

7/15/2010 2:00:09 AM