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Nashville, TN

Been out checking, moving vines, pollinating, bug killing, etc....

I've been moving the main vines to gradually 'train' them into 's' shapes as recommended by many growers. most of the vines did have a COUPLE of root nodules trying to form.. but two of the vines have roots 3-6" long growing from EVERY node along the entire vine!! They were the 572 Bosworth & 572 Moore.

I hypothesize that this might be a good thing in the face of this drought - since it will spread the plant's water uptake area much further than just the main roots can... we shall see.. Any info on these two varieties - maybe similar ancestries - would be appreciated..

6/27/2005 11:43:34 AM

Montoursville, PA

Yes, bury those vines to get as many root stations as is humanly possible in the ground.

Investigate the use of mycorrhizae inoculants, for next year. Mycorrhizae will support your pumpkin roots while requiring less water and less fertilizer, of any type.

I like what this firm has, to say, about mycorrhizae.
http://www.bio-organics.com/

6/27/2005 12:12:06 PM

Midwest

Someone told me about using mycorrhizae... it doesn't work in sulpher based ferts (ammonium sulphate, etc...) and high salt levels. That means don't use it with mushroom compost. I used it with mushroom compost this year - wish I had know earlier. Joel Holland suggests using mycorrhizae at the root nodules along the vine.

6/28/2005 1:52:22 PM