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KENTUCKY

As our mains are beginning to lay down and run, we want them to go in a specific direction and train them that way. I know we all have (either now or in the past) used small stakes, bamboo sticks, etc. to move it in the direction we want. {we spend so much time and effort to weed the patch so weeds don't take nutrients, make walking boards to not compact soil, and nutrients for the plants, etc.} most of this is relates to the root zone of the plant. See where this is going? Why then would we push those stakes, sticks, or whatever into the gound where the roots have spent the last 2-4 weeks growing and break those roots? We all have have back-up plants in a pot that we never planted and the pot was packd full of roots. I know those stakes/sticks have to be doing damage to the root zone. I can see using them when the vine has grown out maybee 8-10 feet from stump and we may be clear then. I am wondering if anyone else has concerns about using those sticks/stakes that close to the stump?
Also what other ideas are out there to train the vine in the direction we want it to go?

Thanks,
Mike

5/22/2004 11:42:24 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I think it's more important to have your main going correctly, (instead of say, headed for the woods),than hurting a few roots.
If you plan your patch for the plants to run a certain way, then you have to get them running that way..or what's the point of having a plan?

5/22/2004 12:25:06 PM

KENTUCKY

true, and I agree totally with you! I am just looking for other methods that people have used successfully to train vines without destroying roots.


Thanks,
Mike

5/22/2004 1:08:34 PM

[email protected]

I think Mike's concern is valid. We go to tremendous effort to reduce root injury. Small insertions very close to the crown break only a small number of roots. But those small roots close to the crown, would eventually radiate out into a very extensive network. So the farther away we are from the crown the better of we are with our Bamboo stakes.

In the perfect patch, we'd have a pre-existing overhead structure. High enough so we can walk safely beneath it. Low enough & with some serious thought engineered into it, to allow easy adaptation of various "things". Things such as rigid verticle support devices that can be installed, adjusted, or removed as needed with very little effort.

Extruded aluminum mini-beams from such industrial suppliers as McMaster might work. Pricey though.

I'm thoinking this way because a customer of mine just had installed a 3000 sq ft rigid extruded aluminum tent frame. I took plenty of digital pictures, but left the camera in his golf cart. So we'll have to wait for the images until Tuesday. Darn it. The thing would make the ultimate "Nesbitt-Like-Patch". Price tag was a very reasonable $130,000.00 (with cover & soft gym floor that we don't need) LOL

Perfect Pumpkin Paradise is attainable. Just not on my budget this year. LOL

5/22/2004 2:12:04 PM

Pulaski Tn [email protected]

i usually set a 6 pack of beer about 3 feet from the tip, then each day i move it back about a foot and a half..these ag's are just like a horse following a bucket of sweetfeed, with the beer you can lead them anywhere..

5/22/2004 2:31:28 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Mikey....usually were training the tip of the vine and uhooking to keep it from windmilling...the tips are probably as far away from deep root structure and way before the leaf tap roots come to hold the plant down...I'd rather hold that plant in then snap a tip!! while I can't say we don't hurt some we have to insure the vine stays intact...Grow em Big! chuck

5/22/2004 9:35:05 PM