Root Growth
- Subject: Root Growth
- From: G* H*
- Date: Mon, 05 Jul 1999 12:28:02 -0500
Just wanted to reiterate that pumpkin roots grow out in front of the
plant. Yesterday, I was digging (scrapping the top inch or two) dirt and
placing it on the nodes of the vines. On several plants, I encountered
roots at least three feet from the plant. Just remember not to dig or
till to close to your plants.
Tendrils -- The past several days the wind has been out of the south and
southwest at approximately 20-25 MPH. What I have found is that the
tendrils try to stabilize the end of the vine (although usually
unsuccessfully) where the roots have not grown by either attaching
themselves to other vines, trigs, weeds, etc., or acting as stabilizing
bars. As the vine grows and roots, the tendrils are not nearly as
important to the plant. They seem to be important where there is new
growth.
Just like Dan and Beth, the Rochester area has been hit with some heavy
rain the past several days. My patch received almost two inches of rain
in an hour. Fortunately, strong winds did not accompany the storm. Big,
tall Cottonwood trees on the southern boundary of the patch have
protected the plants these past few days; otherwise, my patch would be
tattered. The trees are far enough away so that the pumpkin plants have
full sun the entire day, but they are close enough to save the patch
from southern breezes. West and northwest winds are another story.
Pollination should be in full swing this coming week. So far, three
pumpkins have been pollinated, but with all the rain and warm weather,
others will be pollinated shortly.
George Heyne
Rochester, Mn.
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