Burrying Vines, Pinching & Pruning
- To: <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
- Subject: Burrying Vines, Pinching & Pruning
- From: "* A* <c*@value.net>
- Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 14:49:28 -0800
>So if I am reading this right, we end up with the vine completely buried
>in the shallow ditch after the first few feet, and only leaves above the
>soil? Except where the pumpkin is raising the vine three feet off the
>ground, of course. So the vine does not rot under the soil?
>
>Did I get this right? it sounds so strange to the beginner to bury the
>plant!
>
>John
>--
>Give me a fast ship and a stout crew
>For I mean to go in harm's way
==========================================
John,
The vine will not rot underground. However many of us
pinch, prune and then bury our vines in a one step process. By pinching,
pruning and burying at the same time the plant has open wounds which are
exposed directly to the soil leaving an immediate opening into your plant
which can subject your plant to soil born disease. It is becoming common
practice by more growers to
make the process of pinching, pruning and burying a two step process. Pinch
& prune one day, allow the vine a day to heal over, "sealing itself off"
then burying the next day. It is best to weight the vine during this period
as you have just cut off the vines ballast or only means of support, that is
the tertiary vines which help prevent the vine from falling over or rolling
in the wind. While I pruned and buried last year at the same time and had no
disease related problems, this year I am going to hold off a day after I
prune to allow the plant to heal. Just food for thought.
Chris Andersen
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