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Location

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Date Posted

long Island

I remember from last year, that at some point, many growers UN-bury the main vine.

At what point in the season is this done?

And, what happens to all of those "top" tap roots after they are uncovered?

7/13/2011 10:01:14 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Are you sure they dont unbury the stump? to prevent stump rot? I see no reason or advantage to unbury the main vine. This is your energy source for water and nutrients..

7/13/2011 1:57:30 PM

Lexington, Ky

Pap Wallace advocates unburying the main after SVB season has passed and does so with a water hose I think. Some growers in the South uncover vines late season to avoid rot. Heck, we're getting away from the practice down here!

7/13/2011 4:01:30 PM

ipswich, ma usa

We spray off the mains once the roots are established to let the sun hit it. The sun makes them harden up a bit and help avoid rot. In the past we have also sprayed them with a bit of alcohol also to kill off any nasty stuff. The top roots don't seen to have any issues once they get going.

7/13/2011 4:20:50 PM

Rhode Island

think about it pumpkin heads. if pumpkin vines were mean to be grown under ground? they would not be crawling on top of the surface. burying is a necessary evil as john mentioned above.but we dont want to have rotted mains late season either.

7/13/2011 6:48:23 PM

Western PA

I uncover my mains right around this time of year from the pumpkin back to the stump. This is the time of year you want to make sure things like small splits in the main and cracked leaf stalks on the main are taken care of.

While clearing back my main about a week ago I found a pretty nasty vertical split about 4 inches long in the main which would of prob. succumb to rot eventually. By clearing the main I was able to find the split, clean it out, get captan on it and set a fan, and tarp up to get it dried out. I am sure glad I cleared that main a little earlier then normal!

7/13/2011 10:22:57 PM

Western PA

IF roots are established well, by exposing a section of them it will not hurt them at all, in fact my stump roots usually start to show through pretty good towards the end of the season and they start to green up and are perfectly fine.

7/13/2011 10:26:37 PM

long Island

Thanks everyone.

7/14/2011 11:36:44 AM