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Knopp, Germany

The other day I started to bury my side vines and I realized that about 4 feet out from the main vine when I was making a trench about 4-5 inches deep for the side vine I was finding roots from the stump. This bothered me that I was potentially damaging some important roots.

Have others found this also? What are your thoughts about this?

thanks,
owen

6/12/2007 3:33:43 AM

Pataskala,OH

They might be roots from weeds.

6/12/2007 7:00:37 AM

Netherlands

Yes, I noticed them as well. They are definately roots from the pumpkin plant. I started digging trenches far out in front of the plant which solved the problem. Perhaps damaging some of the roots will only promote new roots to grow like in many other plants.

6/12/2007 7:40:11 AM

[email protected]

Has it been wet there? We'd like to see the roots running deep but high soil moisture or "heavy" soils might foster shallow roots (looking of oxygen).

How deep are you guys burying?

6/12/2007 7:47:30 AM

Knopp, Germany

I am trenching about 4-5 inches.

It has not been over wet here. I till typical like most, 10-12 inches. And my soil is not compacted, no need to search for oxygen.

6/12/2007 11:46:13 AM

Carrollton, Ga.

Hi Owen,
I just take a shovel and put soil over the vines in my patch. Don't know if this would work for you or not.
Take care and grow'em big.
Doug
Jn. 3:16

6/12/2007 12:21:00 PM

Western NY

i never worry about disturbing a few little roots here and there. but then again, i'm pretty rough on my plants compared to some.

6/12/2007 1:01:57 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Like One Dude, I only cover the vines with dirt. Let them sit on the ground. Putting them under the ground level may cause them to stay wet for a long time promoting vine rot. If they stay on top under a mound, they will stay covered but still have a chance to dry on most days. Also, tap root growth will still be encouraged.

6/12/2007 3:25:55 PM

Key West, FL

Owen, it depends on how big your plants are. I would say if you have a 4 ft main, that you are probably disturbing the roots by trenching so close. I find that the very fine roots (feeder roots?) are usually about a foot ahead of all the vines or spread in a circular patter with in a radius about the length of the main. This is why many growers trench well ahead of their plants. I start digging trenches well ahead of the vines. If you look at the LaRue's diary you'll see they do this also.

6/12/2007 3:40:17 PM

Rhode Island

owen

we bury everything but only trench down a couple incles. chosing instead to pile a little on top as well. --- makes it easier to uncover main vines after borer season is over ----we dont usually hit any roots either.

pap

6/13/2007 7:36:01 PM

Knopp, Germany

Another lesson learned, thanks to all for your responses.

6/14/2007 1:12:18 AM