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Tasmania Australia

Hi, I have been reading through a few posts and see that a lot are mentioning that you should keep the stump dry or as dry as possible.
I have been looking through trying to find out what you do or put around the stump area to keep it dry, no luck as of yet.
Can anyone help me out here with a diary photo or tell me what you use for the stump area, it would be greatly appreciated.
Also do you start with keeping the stump area dry right of from the transplant stage?
Cheers.
Peter.

7/15/2017 6:29:17 PM

South Hero, VT

Check out Ron W and pumpconn's diaries, both this year and last year.

I'm lazy and cheap--I use pvc pipe to make a pup tent frame with 2 foot legs, then use clamps to fasten a garbage bag to the frame and open the sides 1 foot to maintain good circulation.

I wait until pollination to cover my stumps.

7/15/2017 6:56:36 PM

stoughton WI

I do the same as vtsteve, but I use an opaque plastic, keeps things dry and let's sunlight through. I used plexiglass glass last year but it breaks easy and can fly off and wreck your day.

7/15/2017 8:35:45 PM

Tasmania Australia

Cheers, yes i have been following their diaries this year, lots of great information and tips in them.
But haven't actually seen of heard what they do for their stumps yet, if i can find a diary with a photo of the setup it would be great.
Cheers.

7/15/2017 9:13:14 PM

stoughton WI

Go to my diary, I have a pic or 2 on there. Just using part of my hoop to cover

7/15/2017 9:41:30 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

I posted pics of mine this week on my diary if you want to check them out.

7/15/2017 10:27:41 PM

Tasmania Australia

Cheers, I can now see what you mean by stump covering, just kind of a shade or mini hoop house setup.
Always thought it was completely covering the stump, like enclosing it somehow.
All makes better sense now.

7/15/2017 11:32:52 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I have never covered mine.. I have only lost one stump so far..... and it had nothing to do with an issue of blown out stump it was grower error but hey cover or no cover I prefer to save my time for burning vines and too dressing my granular fert program .....lol do what works for you simple as that

7/16/2017 12:28:12 AM

Ontario, Canada

I'm with BCG. We never cover ours & never lost a plant to a rotting stump.
Cheers,
Phil & Jane

7/16/2017 7:27:45 AM

Alex, IN

And a third vote, never cover them here. At most I run a fan to keep air moving around them.

7/16/2017 7:49:05 AM

Ellwood City, PA, USA

I run fans out of old yard inflatable decorations to keep the air moving all the time around the stump. I also use them to keep the stem dry on my pumpkins. I also don't cover the stumps.

7/16/2017 10:31:39 AM

The bottom of New Jersey

I only cover mine if there is a split in it or any other spot that could collect water. In that case I use a small 3-legged round plastic table, it's very easy to put in place and remove when there will be a string of sunny days

7/16/2017 12:23:57 PM

my opinion its hot humid nights weeks on end where stumps start to have trouble

7/16/2017 12:43:30 PM

Ontario, Canada

I don't have the "hot humid nights, for weeks on end" problem up here in Cameron. It's a bonus if we get 4-5 nights above 70 degrees here all season.

7/16/2017 1:22:57 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Here is southern California where the temps are cool and humidity low, a fan set up on each stump does the job. When the plants are out 15 plus feet I set up a little fan on each stump that runs 24\7 and have never had a problem.

7/16/2017 1:27:10 PM

Walhalla, ND.

I use a Army green sandbag to cover my stumps.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=277847

7/16/2017 1:29:44 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I'm with BCG and pumpkinJesus, but all places are different. It's pushing 100 here daily and very humid, I've never had a stump issue and I leave it exposed. I do have pollination issues though, Lol

7/16/2017 2:14:26 PM

Tasmania Australia

Cheers for the the replies and opinions, greatly appreciated.
We do have hot nights and days here in our growing season, lots of ideas to look at now before our season gets under way.

7/16/2017 6:36:35 PM

Sharon, MA

I never cover my stumps with plastic covers to keep the dry. I might cover them if there is a crack in the stump or vine that needs to be dried out. I let a few leaves grow to shade them a bit though, until August.

7/17/2017 9:56:40 PM

stoughton WI

I just always cover mine because I know I'm going to have an issue, like I already have.

7/18/2017 1:16:07 AM

Westmoreland, KS

I'm with Don...weeks on end with hot humid nights/days will get ya. I put down 2 bricks on both sides of the stump and then put an old window over the stump to allow light to get in but keep water away from the stump then i blow a fan on it like Ian and Stewart. Has been working for the last 2 years hopefully it keeps working this year.

7/18/2017 10:22:45 AM

aurora, IL

Look at my diary to see my stump cover. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=276474

7/22/2017 4:25:03 PM