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Gays Mills, Wisconsin

After seeing the grafted plants I thought that the results of a hypocotyl experiment might be interesting to some.
Last year in an effort to get roots to form along the hypocotyl, I used a modified 12" diameter PVC "pot" ~30 inches long and grew a few pumpkin plants in the dark to see how long a hypocotyl will grow and if they would sprout roots along the way.
The hypocotyls grew 4 days in the dark and reached 20"-22" before white leaves started to develop. I was unable to get roots to sprout along the hypocotyl though.
If one could graft these, there could be nearly 3 feet between root ends.

1/14/2011 3:15:33 PM

Ohio

Cornhusk, I was just wondering, if you would make a fresh scar on the Hypocotyl after it was approx 15 to 20 inches long and then use rooting hormone on the fresh scar do you think that roots would have had a better chance of forming in that area? or do you think rooting hormone would only work at a leaf junction? Im really clue less when it come to using rooting hormone on pumpkins and have always wondered this.

Brooks

1/14/2011 5:00:19 PM

ive had roots form under cots before time will tell were all this goes

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=102608

1/14/2011 5:17:32 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

Credit to David Clatterback who posted info that was the reason I tried this.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=65
I theorize if I would have given it more time roots might have started. I wonder if the scar/rooting compound would work, never tried it. John

1/14/2011 7:15:01 PM

Redmond, Washington; U.S.A.

How deep will the roots grow on these suckers if you don't have hard pan? Just garden topsoil deep. They are mainly surface rooting plants but they grow so much in such a short time. Whats the absolute deepest that the roots will go on an AG. I know you can still grow huge pumpkins even with hard pan underneath. I am just wondering what the rooting depth limit is. If that even makes sense. Great post Cornhusk, very interesting!

1/14/2011 9:14:15 PM

Johnston, Iowa

I've often wondered the same thing, as I have clay under the soil in my patch. Sorry to hijack the thread, but if anyone knows how deep roots could potentially go it would be very interesting to me as well.

1/14/2011 10:46:32 PM

Johnston, Iowa

Found a good answer: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=14&p=342243

1/15/2011 10:18:27 AM