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Watlington, UK

I think we all agree that it's key to have multiple rooting sites via side vines, ideally with roots from both above and beneath the node.

When pulling the plant last year I noticed that despite my attempts to bury nodes, only about 25% took. I was quite disappointed at such a low rate, or is this normal? Is 100% rooting possible?

This year I'm trying again with the Paton Pot method as before, but this time with some rooting hormone gel on each node. Unfortunately, as with last year, I won't be able to tell if it works or not until I pull the plant, and then of course it's too late (for this year at least).

6/25/2019 2:27:29 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

25% success rate for roots taking at each node seems very low to me. I am close to 100% on the bottom each year and probably 75% successful with top nodes. The 25% not taking on top is lack of effort on my part.

6/25/2019 2:50:17 PM

Westmoreland, KS

you used the pots...did you have them wet enough? I'm with Luke probably about 60-80% are top and bottom are successful. Lack of time/effort makes me miss a few.

6/25/2019 4:10:36 PM

Grittyville, WA

Insects eat them. Or... the plant just is not growing strong enough to push them.

6/25/2019 5:59:15 PM

Grittyville, WA

Look around your plant at night. If you can spot a few bugs, there are probably hundreds.

6/25/2019 6:00:16 PM

Watlington, UK

Yes the pots are full of wet compost when first applied. However it's difficult keeping each and every pot watered, and sometimes when you do water them you can see the compost just flows out from the bottom of the pot, which defeats the object. Due to the size of the plant, access to each and every pot isn't at all easy - and I do remember last year quite a few of them had dried out, revealing a withered root, or no root at all.

6/25/2019 6:22:04 PM

Walhalla, ND.

I agree, the whole plot your pumpkin is growing in should be full of nothing but pumpkin plant roots and good nutrient soil.

6/25/2019 8:23:23 PM

Walhalla, ND.

I bury my secondaries 2 to 3 inches, and mound on top of each node. I’m at fault to not keeping them watered enough early on.

6/25/2019 8:33:27 PM

Have you tried anything like root booster foliar spray? Is your plant available phosphorus high enough? Phosphite?

6/25/2019 8:38:58 PM

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=10&p=661856

Look at North Shore Boyz answer.

6/25/2019 8:50:19 PM

Watlington, UK

I could try and add phosphorus, what the best way to apply it? At this stage use triple rather than MAP right? The problem is that it precipitates and gets locked up easy.

6/26/2019 4:45:42 AM

Bethlehem CT

Gerald moisture is key. Without any moisture around that node the plant is unlikely to put out a root.

6/26/2019 7:00:23 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Could the compost be too rich? I use a peat, compost, and micronutrient mix

6/26/2019 7:37:17 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Agreed with above posts. I still find it odd your bottom nodes aren't rooting. Even if I just let a vine run and staked it down, it would root on each bottom node without burying.

6/26/2019 8:37:06 AM

I find the bottom not rooting odd also , that is why I am leaning towards nutrients. The plants have to be lacking something or something is out of balance and tying up nutrients. Soil test? Maybe try some water soluble 10-52-10 as a drench or foliar spray or 5-15-5 premixed root booster foliar spray. But I am just guessing at what the problem is. Have you ever spread soft rock phosphate, which is cheap for 50 lbs.

6/26/2019 1:36:22 PM

Watlington, UK

Well this is it, I won't necessarily know if the nodes have rooted until the end of the season when I uproot the plant and take a look. Last year was hot and dry here, perhaps that was the reason?
Anyway, today I sprinkled on some superphosphate and watered everywhere, including the dry areas under the leaves. I'll report back at the end of the season!
Spudder, I believe rock phosphate isn't water soluble so you might have a problem with that?

6/26/2019 5:13:05 PM

It is a soil amendment.

6/26/2019 8:06:10 PM

Central Illinois

If they vines rock back and forth in the wind slightly that can do it, My results improved using bamboo stakes

6/27/2019 7:39:52 AM