From

Location

Message

Date Posted

myrtle creek Oregon

The root system closet to the fruit is causing stress to my main vine due to not having any play to grow up. Should I let it be or what? Please see most recent diary post. I welcome any and all suggestions,1st year grower and this is my last chance at a decent fruit due to the dear.

7/23/2015 1:37:55 PM

Manitoba

I'm growing a giant for the first time; at least I hope it'll be a giant :) and I am awaiting the problem you discuss. I'm sure it happens to all giant pumpkins.

My guess is that you carefully cut off the roots near the fruit; or you somehow move the fruit itself. Or ???

Will await the professionals' answers.

7/23/2015 2:23:15 PM

Manitoba

Okay, I'm back. I found this article:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=60

7/23/2015 2:25:41 PM

Central NY

No.. Cut that tap root today or you'll be on the outside lookin in....you need to have some play in the vine

7/23/2015 2:29:44 PM

Germany

For next year: Check out my little tutorial on S-curves (this page and the following couple of my diary entries).

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=222751


Don´t bury the leaf nodes where the pumpkin is sitting and the adjacent two or three leaf nodes, and cut off the tap roots as soon as you need to release vine stress.

7/23/2015 4:11:25 PM

Germany

and these two here:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=225834

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=225835

7/23/2015 4:13:41 PM

Connecticut, USA

You will need to get that main vine elevated too. You want the vine so that it moves freely when you pull up on it. I use foam blocks or wood blocks with foam where it contacts the vine.

7/23/2015 5:11:54 PM

Western NY

If you can't pry the tap root out of the ground with a pitchfork to get some slack, you need to cut it and support main with foam. You need slack in vine or it will bust off. the foam works great

7/23/2015 8:03:31 PM

Aurora, Il

Before loosening the leaf node roots near the fruit, I water the soil enough just to reduce vine stress and allow the root to easily rise. Look for your leaf node nearest the fruit which may be anchored into the soil. Sometimes the fruit will grow more towards the vine and sometimes even roll towards the vine. After the soil is wet, clear the soil "by hand" so you can easily access the underside of the vine and the area under the anchored leaf node. Place two finger before and two fingers after the root under the vine and gently lift the vine straight up. Sometimes, I have been able to maintain the root still connected to the soil even after it is raised, but as the fruit grows this may result in cutting the root. Placing the foam pool noodles or styrofoam packing pieces under the vine should be done in small steps to avoid cracking the stem. Hope this helps.

7/23/2015 9:01:30 PM

Colorado

Plan for success/a big one.Pull up that last rooting and block it with Styrofoam blocks like ken says. The fruit has a nice long stem which wont be long enough a couple hundred pounds from now

7/23/2015 11:13:07 PM

myrtle creek Oregon

Thanks for all the great advice, I'm taking a two day trip over to central Oregon with the family tomorrow, so its a good thing I was able to free up the main before I came home to a disaster. Thanks again.

7/23/2015 11:59:21 PM