Re: leafless, buried vines??
>Here's a snip from Lub-"Marv in Altoona"-adub from late last year...
>
>>Doesn't it seem odd that on the one hand we are talking about burying the
>>vines to stimulate root growth while on the other hand there are >growers
>>taking out every other vine? Maybe we should wonder if taking >the leaves
>>off every other vine and burying that entire vine as it >grows has any
>>merit?
>
>Are we close enough now to the growing season to consider this question
>again?? Has anyone ever tried this? How about speculation from some of you
>botanist-types out there (Roger??? Rick, are you listening??) and from you
>long-time thinker/grower types (Al? George? Wayne? Brock? Brett? Jon?
>Anybody???)? Would a vine need a few leaves photosynthesizing to keep the
>nutrient channel active? Or could a buried vine with no leaves contribute
>to growth as long as there is adequate photosynthesis elsewhere??
>
>Beth
>
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Beth ,
This is always an intriguing question how much to prune? I think its
impossible to get an answer other than to test what works with a particular
seed genetics and growing environment. Are those with longer daylight able
to have less leaves ? It is obvious that there are all kinds of
techniques out there from just a straight main shaft to under 75 leaves to
3000sqft plants all with success.
Its is apparent that AG roots are signicantly important as the plant tries
to root all over. So I think roots are a big source of gathering nutrients
and water. More so than the leaves. These big elephant ears seem to be
great food producers and we have dicovered that we don't need as many as
was originally thought.
The big question is by pruning vines are you forcing growth in the root
zone in the early stages??
Is leaf transpiration a hinderence in hot climates?? How are we going to
figure this out other than testing. But if the roots primary function is
to gather water and store it in the pumpkin then limiting the transpiration
(less leaves) might work and the leafless vine would stay active (I would
grow the vine out first with leaves then romove them and bury the vine or
leave a couple leaves on at the very end.)
Its always comes back to discovering!!!
what balance or ratio works best for you and your.. area...........brock
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