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San Jose

My question is: what pumpkin energy comes from the stump,
what from the main tap roots, and what from the secondary
tap roots---is it 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 from each? I'm working
with a neighborhood group, and probably only a couple
of people are really serious---the others, if they got
a 200 lb pumpkin, they would be very happy, and maybe
hooked on growing. I will get quality seeds for them.
Thanks, Kurt

7/21/2017 10:43:45 PM

Walhalla, ND.

That's a good question, I rather doubt there is a accurate answer. I believe any answer would only be speculation.

7/21/2017 11:21:48 PM

Rhode Island

kurt
the answer is energy and nutrition to the pumpkin is taken in from all three areas.
its been our experience to find that the entire plant base-main and secondary tap roots act as a sink for that pumpkin (especially once your plant is full and you have dead ended most of the growth)
many very large pumpkins have been grown on plants with no base-cut off side vines,even some minor disease issues however,plant health and soil balance is much more important than loosing a few sides or even a main due to foam (or rotting)
i can not stress enough proper plant health. soil born diseases will be like the gift that keeps on taking (not giving)
pap
pap

7/21/2017 11:27:28 PM

San Jose

Thanks Pap, I agree and understand what you said, and I always stress that good soil health leads to good plant health. I find when I do these basic, informal classes, that
if there is 10 people attending, 2 are serious, 2 or 3 are
halfway serious, and the others think the plant grows on its own with a little water. My first year growing, 6 years ago,
I only watered and fertilized the stump root area, not knowing any better, got a 250 lb pumpkin, and very happy.
Now I teach to water, bury, fertilize ALL tap roots, but as we know, that is very time-consuming, and not everyone wants to tackle that job time and effort wise.
Thanks, Kurt

7/24/2017 12:29:15 AM