From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Oak Brook, Illinois

This is my first year growing pumpkins. It looks like my main roots coming out of my hills where the vine starts are exposed, drying out and splitting. Is this normal? This is where I water them, am I damaging them? Should I cover them with dirt or compost?

8/20/2017 5:58:11 PM

Morgantown, WV

Yes, if you have roots showing, you should cover them with soil to try to save them.

8/20/2017 7:38:48 PM

Central NY

I would say cover roots back up that got washed out...when watering, you want to water the entire area, not just where in comes out of the vine...in fact I try to stay a few feet away from watering right at the base of the plant...good luck!!

8/20/2017 7:40:46 PM

stoughton WI

Don't cover the ones that are splitting, put a thin layer of sulfur or fungicide powder on them so they will heal. The roots that are exposed should be ok, they get a sort of hard coating on them just like the tap roots on you vines. Just make sure varmints won't chew on them.

8/20/2017 8:24:23 PM

Oak Brook, Illinois

Thanks for the replies!
So even if I cover the beginning of the vine is that OK?

8/20/2017 8:34:47 PM

Oak Brook, Illinois

I'm not 100% sure their roots it may just be the beginning of the vine and it looks strange to me

8/20/2017 8:35:45 PM

stoughton WI

Can you post pics

8/20/2017 8:42:09 PM

Oak Brook, Illinois

Yes, right now I'm using my phone and I don't see a way to post a picture. I'll try from my computer in a little bit.

8/20/2017 8:52:41 PM

Oak Brook, Illinois

I dont see a way to post them right here. I was able to post them in my diary, let me know what you think

8/20/2017 9:48:03 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Tendrils?

8/21/2017 7:40:48 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Do you have 5 plants planted?

8/21/2017 7:43:12 AM

Central NY

I think they are tendrils ...I wouldn't worry bout it...but it does look like 5 separate pants there...what seeds were planted?

8/21/2017 9:43:31 AM

Colorado

Looks like 5 plants to me-don't put dirt on the stumps-so leave as is.

8/21/2017 1:30:09 PM

Oak Brook, Illinois

Thanks! Yes those are 5 separate plants. The smaller ones are Jack-O-Lantern the larger are Dill's Atlantic giants. What is the stump? Is that the first part of the vine coming out of the ground?

8/22/2017 10:44:55 AM

Colorado

yes/stump is the first part coming out of the ground up to where the seed leaves were.

8/22/2017 3:55:13 PM