From

Location

Message

Date Posted

When I get a pumpkin pollinated on the main vine, do I cut the tap roots in both directions of the main vine to prevent the vine from splitting? Do you do this regardless when pollinating or wait awhile??

6/27/2012 1:26:15 PM

Central Minnesota

I do it as I need it, making sure the main vine is not creating tension anywhere. First I cut the root under the pumpkin and support the main. As it grows I cut the roots on each side of the pumpkin and support the main making sure there is no tension or pulling. As the pumpkin grows I continue this process and sometimes it ends up being 3 to 4 tap roots on each side (or more) of the pumpkin that end up getting cut. No need to do it all right away though, keep them until they have to go.

6/27/2012 1:44:23 PM

Do you bury your main vine with dirt??

6/27/2012 1:49:44 PM

Central Minnesota

Yes, I bury the main at the leaf nodes to promote root growth at first. I uncover it later in the year or it basically uncovers itself as it grows. By the end of the year most of the vines are no longer buried. The dirt washes off over time and they also grow as they age which exposes more of them.

6/27/2012 2:51:54 PM

East Jordan, MI

You usually have to cut a couple, but I don't cut them unless absoluetly necessary. If your dirt is loose and you work at it a little each day, you can pull them up as you raise the vine and the root will still keep growing and supplying valuable nutrients to your pumpkin.

Check the vine/stem tension and support the vine as you raise it up, if something is causing too much tension on the stem then it has to go, otherwise it gets to stick around and help feed the kin.

6/28/2012 4:35:15 AM