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Minnesota([email protected])

First there's the main root.
Then it roots along the vine at the nodes(what ever these are?)? For instance, how far apart do the roots form along the main and secondary vines. Every one, two, or three feet?
I was wondering if I could put flags or sticks up at each root along the plant, and mulch around these with well rotted manure. Then when it rains, or is irrigated, nutrients will leech from the manure mulch into the soil, and feed the roots. Maybe when the the plant is mature, the roots will fill the whole growing area, but when the plant is younger, this method may work?

Doug

6/14/2004 1:13:29 AM

Atlanta, Georgia

Nodes are where each leaf appears on the plant.
At each node on a normal plant you have one leaf, one flower, and a root.

If the vine is left uncovered or the soil is too dry at the node the root may start to grow and then dry up and die and this is why people bury the vines.

The interval between nodes varies on every ag plant but the roots of the whole plant will far outreach the size of the plant that you see on the surface of the soil.

Have fun Doug and get lots and lots of flags or sticks if you want to mark where each root is!
Best regards,
Michel

6/14/2004 1:31:05 AM

Atlanta, Georgia

Forgot to add that each node or every other one also has a tendril. I remove all of them immediately because I hate when they decide to grab on to a leaf and squeeze it to death.
Michel

6/14/2004 1:33:04 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Growers usually prepair the entire planting site in the same manner to ensure the soil balance. You will need up to 1000sq.ft./plant site to get a biggen. The roots spread far & wide. Review the attached link for more information.

http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010137veg.roots/010137ch33.html

6/14/2004 5:30:24 AM

Colo.Spgs.CO. Pikes Peak Chapter @ [email protected]

Small patch ---big fruit--- big patch---small fruit--- seed ' tecnique, soil, weather.....Grower & conditions...everything adds up or down...happy growing....

6/14/2004 6:38:45 AM

you don't need 1000 square feet per plant to get a nice sized pumpkin. most people grow on less than this. 500 or 700 is average size people use, i would guess.

6/16/2004 1:29:28 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Brigitte is correct!! We grew 1088 lbs (a 577 and a 511) on the same plant in less than 350 square feet. Some pretty fancy pruning and vine management but it can be done.

Bury those root nodes and trim off them tendrils.

6/16/2004 2:27:26 AM