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Monrovia, CA

OK..many thanks for the suggestions on heating temps for germinating the pumpkin seeds. 9 out of 11 came up..not bad!!! But! they all went looking for the sun while I had them indoors and consequently they all have 4 to 6 inch stocks on them (before the seed leaves)..When I do plant them in their places..can I bury this long stem and will it sprout roots (like tomato plants do) or do I still plant them at the same soil level they're at now and have an elongated stump on them?
Thanks everyone!!
Michelle L

5/24/2004 8:56:25 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

I think it's a good practice to bury them a little extra.
Jury's out on whether the stem will sprout extra roots?
Anyone else? Duff

5/24/2004 9:17:58 PM

Monrovia, CA

Hey thanks!! I know that when I peal off all of the lower leaves off of my tomato plants I lay them in the ground with only the top sticking out and all of the buried part ends up rooting and forming a stronger plant.
Hmmmm. Wonder if it works for pumpkins too!

5/24/2004 9:25:33 PM

Eveleth MN

yes the stem with sprout roots if you bury it under the ground.

5/24/2004 9:53:12 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Yes Rancherlee is right, the stem will root. Attached are a couple of links for info about this topic. I did some testing on this during the winter. I don't know effective this tactic will be in helping to grow a biggin though.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.aspeid=16541
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=65

Russ L.

5/25/2004 7:08:59 AM

Edmonton, Canada

Some people intentionally deprive their seedlings of light, at least early on. This will provide a better root system, once the stem gets burried.

5/25/2004 10:42:33 AM

How would depriving it of light trick it into growing a good root system? I've never heard of that.

5/25/2004 10:47:30 PM

Wichita, KS

Brigitte, they intentionally deprive it of light (make it leggy) so there is more stem to bury, therefore more opportunity to grow roots through the stem. I tried it this winter and ended up with a mostly burried leggy plant. It was too cold to transplant outside, though, so I cannot say that it doesn't work in the garden (full sun). My little experiment was FAR from scientific, and should not be considered conclusive nder any circumstances. I simply prefer to go with conventional wisdom on this one; short stocky seedlings = healthy.

5/25/2004 11:20:46 PM

Indiana

cucurbita can and do send out roots from the part of the vine before the cotleydons. However, it is minimal at best, and not helpful to the overall health of the plant in my opinion. If you do get a root, notice how small it is. dont try that at home. Rely on your primary root system.

Tom

5/26/2004 12:49:38 AM

Monrovia, CA

Cool...so it won't Hurt anything if I do bury the leggy part, right...even if the benefits are minimal...Thankyou so much. This discussion has been really helpful!
Michelle

5/26/2004 12:42:51 PM