From

Location

Message

Date Posted

DeWitt, Iowa

I am going to grow watermelon this next year and was just wondering, do they act like a pumpkin? can you bury the vines for more root growth?

10/21/2009 9:01:00 PM

Rochester, MN

I don't...watermelon vines seem to rot easier..so better to keep them drier...they will root like pumpkins...just not as prolific.

10/22/2009 12:00:30 AM

sevierville, Tn

Ditto, don't bury ! You can pin them down, that will help root.

10/22/2009 2:51:59 PM

DeWitt, Iowa

What would happen if i buried them?

10/22/2009 5:39:56 PM

I planted an extra vine this year and tried burying just as an experiment. That vine seemed to be much more susceptible to disease, despite regular fungicide application. after the fruit was around 28 days old, the vine started to rot about 10ft out from the stump. I grew others on black plastic and pinned down the vines every 4th node, making a small hole in the plastic and they rooted well, with no problems.

10/22/2009 6:18:13 PM

DeWitt, Iowa

Johhny you got my hopes up when you started that post dang i guess i wont bury.

10/22/2009 6:27:20 PM

Pataskala,OH

If you bury them the plant will die I think.

10/22/2009 7:41:11 PM

formerly RGG

I don't think it's 100% certain you'll have more problems by burying your vines but I do think the likelyhood of problems is HIGHLY increased.

10/22/2009 9:03:13 PM

formerly RGG

Hey Smoky Mountain, thought you were going to post some Allardt pictures for us in your growers dairy.

10/22/2009 9:04:55 PM

Bowdon, GA

There is no need to bury. Watermelons shoot down roots from the bottom of the node. I have never noticed one rooting from the top like pumpkins. I used lanscaping cloth and they will root right thru it, but if you use black plastic johnny reb has the right idea. And as Chris said pinning them down is the best way, also helps anchor the vines from wind till the roots develop.

10/22/2009 10:07:42 PM

Western PA

Do they root through the plastic or do you need to poke a hole in the plastic first ?
The landscaping cloth sounds like a good idea .

10/26/2009 7:26:44 PM

Bowdon, GA

I would poke a hole in the plastic

10/26/2009 7:37:55 PM

formerly RGG

Watermelons will absolutely NOT root through plastic.

10/26/2009 9:27:52 PM

Definately have to make a hole...

10/26/2009 9:50:14 PM