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New England

Can any of you AG physiology experts comment on how long an average AG's roots reach at their maturity? My understanding is that the roots grow fairly shallow ie: 12-14" deep or so, but how far do they spread underground from the stump?

11/17/2004 1:48:21 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

at least as far as the vines grow

11/17/2004 3:18:52 PM

Worcester, Massachusetts

The reason I ask is because I have limited growing space and want to situate as many plants as possible in a rather confined area without "cramping their style"

11/17/2004 3:22:32 PM

Worcester, Massachusetts

Yomomma, how big is the area you are growing in?

11/17/2004 3:24:16 PM

New England

SMALL is how big...maybe room for 5 or 6 mature AG vines to fit in. I should qualify that statement...there is a lot more room, but it is in a shaded area.

11/17/2004 3:45:04 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

I excavated the roots of my plants this year, and granted I had horrific growing conditions this year with far too much water, but my tap root was about 12" and the lateral roots from the tap root were 3-4 feet

11/17/2004 4:48:10 PM

Abbotsford, B.C

I know a local grower named Gerry Groten says that he has noticed that the roots go almost three feet down, right at the stump, but that when they spread out they are usually only within the top 12 inches or less of soil. I didn't check on my plant; I just ripped it out, but with eleven years of growing, he should know. So prepare the area right around the stump very well, even down to three feet, because it will get used. Just my two cents.

Cameron

11/17/2004 6:02:37 PM

I'm with Gordon... GO UTES!

In Joel Holland's 2003 video, he dug down and found roots
extending 7 feet out from the edge of the leaf canopy.

11/17/2004 6:29:18 PM

Taber, Alberta

I dug up my roots carefully this year and the roots from the stump extended over 8 feet to the edge of my patch.
Alan

11/17/2004 6:42:44 PM

New England

Thanks for everyone's comments on this. Guess there's no skimping on a plant's "underground elbowroom" if you want the desired results. But is there a connection between root growth and a plant's access to nutrients. I mean, if there are abundant nutrients in the soil will the roots bee shorter because they won't have to reach out for what they need?

11/18/2004 8:18:07 AM

Deer Park, WI

Just picture an iceberg floating in the sea. Same concept applies here. I doubt its a 1:7 ratio, but the root system is quite likely much larger than the leaf system.

11/18/2004 8:43:12 AM