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Sacramento, CA

I posted this in new growers on accident: What do y'all think?

So my plants are way behind everyone elses. My longest vine is about 6 feet long. I am starting to wonder, how far out do I water? hould I only water onthe rootball or do I go as far out as the last leaf?

What is the rule? I am using a drip system arond the base of the plants and i just let it go all day. It keeps the leaves green and the ground moist.

7/5/2006 11:32:55 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Over time, the root system of an AG will spread way out into cultivated soil. I've found roots 15-20' away from the basal crown.

7/5/2006 11:35:58 AM

Montoursville, PA

Keeping the whole patch up, to ten feet,from the main, damp is a good goal. Soaking wet is generally felt, to be, to much. However give it a chance, to dry up somewhat at least once a week. Blend your watering, in with what mother gives you. If for any reason you have, to cycle it, soak it good once a week and relax it, to another deep watering. Just keeping the top damp pulls the roots up, for the hot weather, still to come, which can harm roots that would be deeper with good soakings.

7/5/2006 2:25:17 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Hey Matt:

I feel the same way as far as being behind everyone else. My best plant (i have no seeds that are proven or genetically great seeds.....yet) is around 8 feet with a few 3' side vines. I am starting to see some male flowers coming up so i am encouraged. Others in my area already have these huge plants with fruit sets already. I chalk it all up to a great learning experience and i am doing my best as i learn. I try to water all around the plant as well as the main vine area (anyone tell me if i am screwing up). As long as the soil looks dark, i am happy. Once it starts looking dry, i water again. This can be daily or every few days as i have noticed due to rain/sun etc. (again, i am new at this like you). My biggest issue is resisting throwing every bit of fertilizer i have at the plant. I think i am being pretty good at not doing this but i keep wanting to "catch up". My garden is limited and i should go accordingly but man is it hard when you see all these posts of people setting fruit and blasting away!
One recommendation is to get Jim Beauchimins dvd. It is a great learning tool and entertaining too. It can give you a template of what to do. His enthusiasm bleeds through the video too. good luck

7/5/2006 9:22:11 PM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

Matt,
Here a tip I picked up last week from a grower who is mentoring me. "Don't water the stump, water around the stump" Try to keep the stump as dry as you can. Other wise it will rot.

7/6/2006 6:30:56 AM

Montoursville, PA

Clearing the stump has value too. Let's assume the stump comes up and builds a bridge as it returns, to the soil. Keep the underpass open and with a sharp knife clear all the leaves and secondary growth from the bridge. Let the fresh air flow clear and dry all around the stump and the bridge. I cut the handle off a yard sale umbrella and sick it in to keep off the hottest sun. If it rains for a few days I remove the umbrella and replace it when things dry up.

In my experience the bridge seems, to throw a lot, of lettuce. I try, to keep it all off the stump as early as I notice it. This is one place where a small amount of baled peat moss will serve, to help, if the bridge is high enough, to permit a mulch and still have good air circulation.

7/6/2006 7:51:26 AM