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Easthampton, MA

This is a two part-er:

Today I noticed that I haven't been covering the rooting at the leaves deep enough. I just put enough dirt to cover the stem and put a layer of grass clippings over it for mulch. I now see that at many points that the root (or possibly additional ones if there are more than one that can form?) started from the side or even the top of the vine, and ended up not getting a good hold in the soil.

I suspect that when the soil settled it dropped down and I didn't notice due to the mulching. I went around today and tried to cover them again where I could reach reasonably easily.

My plant has been wilting at the extremities (main growing tip and new secondaries) during the day. I've been shading them to help them, but now I suspect that plant just isn't pulling enough water to feed those outliers. And we have had quite a bit of rain off and on for the past month. A good water schedule actually. Does this cause and effect sound accurate?

What is the typical practice for burying the vines?

Also...

I have a pumpkin started, but in a terrible location on the plant -- off of one of the original secondaries. I thought of it as a tester to see how it starts to size up to help judge futures later on the plant. I've buried the stem up to the pumpkin since I figured I cull it in a couple of weeks.

However, now I wonder if I should consider keeping it, since I am having some trouble getting others to start. So my question is: Can you unbury the vine on either side and cut the taproots at any point in the season?

Thanks in advance for the help. :)

7/17/2015 7:21:43 PM

East Jordan, MI

roots need moisture and darkness and they will grow, but if the soil is too wet can also cause poor root development.

If your plant is not developing good tap roots at the nodes then you are spot on as to why it is wilting.

As for "typical practice for burying" some trench and bury the entire vine, some can't bury at all, and some cover the nodes.

We just cover the nodes with an inch or two of dirt, if it washes off and the root hasn't taken hold we put a little more on.

As for unburying the stem and uprooting the roots to keep the pumpkin, sure you can, just don't damage the vine or the stem (the stems are hollow and brittle -- not like a traditional hard stem jackolantern)

Good luck!

7/17/2015 8:48:42 PM

Easthampton, MA

Thanks for reply. I'm not surprised to hear that 'burying' techniques vary. :) I've add an inch or two of soil over all of shallow nodes that I have discovered.

I'll keep the option to un-bury in my back pocket. Nice to have options.

7/18/2015 10:44:41 PM