From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

I am curious as to whether most growers bury the main vine or prefer to keep it high and dry? Whats the preference out there ? Thanks for your input. Ned

6/11/2002 7:45:48 AM

North Ga

Ned, I think most growers bury their vines including secondaries. That's what I do and am happy with results so far.

6/11/2002 8:58:41 AM

Rexburg, Idaho ([email protected] )

Bury it!

6/11/2002 9:08:35 AM

Indiana

Ned,
Dave Stelts himself says to not bury the Primary main. That is what a proven grower says. He says that he can afford to loose a secondary or 2 to rot, but if he looses his main, it is all over. I tend to agree. After a few years of growing, I have lost about a fourth of my primary mains that I have buried to rot.
Tom Beachy

6/11/2002 10:10:25 AM

South Hill, Virginia

Tom,

Does Dave Stelts still cover the main with soil at the leaf nodes?

6/11/2002 12:11:41 PM

Indiana

Svrichb,
Nope, not that I remember. His patch is very nice looking, and he really controls his runners, but he doesn't bury the Primary main. He does bring in the main to the fruit at a 90 degree angle. That way he never has to position the fruit, about 5 feet after the right angle turn, he turns it back up patch.
Tom Beachy

6/11/2002 1:57:55 PM

could someone tell me if the tendrils are supposed to be buried also?

6/11/2002 5:28:56 PM

Indiana

some wack em, some bury them. if you bury them, they help support the plant even more in wind. On the flip side, they are a little more difficult to bury if the tendrils are left.
Tom Beachy

6/11/2002 7:21:37 PM

thanks Tom, I'm trying to hold back my really stupid questions for when the goin gets tough,I've ordered that book on growing pumpkins but it has'nt arrived as of yet...john

6/11/2002 7:30:34 PM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Thanks list. It looks like burying the main is a toss up.
Is Joe P. out there or any more input from a heavy hitter?
Best wishes to all for a great season. Ned

6/12/2002 8:21:53 AM

Puyallup, WA

Joel Holland, Geneva Emmons, Lincoln Mettler and all the other major growers from the Pacific Northwest bury mains and secondarys.

6/12/2002 11:38:20 AM