From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Who here composts their vines and fruit? Any concerns about pathogens?

Thanks,

Matt

9/26/2004 11:42:31 PM

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Good post matt, I would like to know the same.
James

9/27/2004 12:06:41 AM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

I do, but I'm also a first year grower, so I too will be interested to see what some more experienced folk have to say.

9/27/2004 1:20:43 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

I wouldn't do it at all....get rid of them...totally remove from the patch area...Took four years fallow to recover a patch that had pathogens from regrowing vines...Last thing you want is anything that promotes pathogens like fusaria or alternaia....not worth the chance...and once they're there...oooph! it's ugly! Chuck

9/27/2004 5:48:30 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I have with most in the past, because they have been clean, healthy fruit and vines. I got leaf spot this year and those vines will be burned. PM won't propagate in your compost pile as it's a air-borne fungi so I never worry about those.

9/27/2004 6:31:16 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

If you have roots or stems that are known to be infected by vascular system pathogens like Fusarium or Rhizoctionia or Pytophthora, it would be best to re,move at least what you can.

If its just some foliar diseases like Powdery Mildew then till them under or compost them.

9/27/2004 6:39:40 AM

Rexburg, Idaho (brianchristensenmd@gmail.com )

Not exactly composting, but this is what I do. I go out now and chop all the vines into about six inche lengths and just leave them in place. I will add my leaves, manure, grass clipping and the like on top of them. and come spring till them all in. They seem to break down just fine. I have had no problem with disease in the patch. If I did have disease I would not do this.

9/27/2004 8:52:43 AM

Follansbee, Wv

Does anyone know how resistant to heat some of the pathogens like Fusarium are? A well tended compost pile can reach temps of 160ºF, especially if it is well insulated.

9/30/2004 7:06:44 PM

Greenville,Pa.

Why take the chance? You have one chance each year to grow your personal best.
Get all plant residue (including weeds) out of the garden and onto the burn pile!!! From my experience, very few compost piles work 100%.

10/3/2004 9:35:40 PM