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Upa Creek, MO

Anyone not burying their vines anymore and just letting the roots at each node anchor? I am thinking of going this route for disease prevention in clay soil.

Any suggestions on this? I was thinking of covering the nodes until the 2nd top root pops and anchors, and then uncovering all together. I would still use bamboo sticks to systematically lay out the vines and provide support until rooted.

Any input on this technique is appreciated as well as drawbacks.

Thanks

2/24/2025 9:18:07 PM

Hadley Ny

Luke, I have never buried any of my vines. I always just covered the nodes. Mother nature and overhead watering would eventually uncover them. Because of back, hip and knee issues I found this to be the easiest way to do it. My nephew a first year grower last year did a lot of research over the winter and he buried all his vines ( I told him not to) and ended up with vine rot issues and ended up uncovering everything. He ended up with a couple 1000 lb kins that should have been at least 1500 lbs. To me they are a vining plant and not made to have vines underground. Just the way I do it. Good Luck T

2/25/2025 10:47:16 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

I only cover the nodes, Luke. Once that top node root gets anchored downward, I rinse them off. Also, I like to put my finger under the vine and clear out a little dirt, so the vines have some air flow around them.

2/25/2025 11:20:26 AM

Bethlehem CT

I don't cover at all. I am only getting the bottom root. My thought is that the roots will eventually fill the same amount of area, and attain a similar mass.
Think about it... if you planted two atlantic giant seedlings right next to each other (so close that they were touching) Those two plants will not yield more than one plant that is given the same space. I would also argue that they would fill out the same amount of total space by the end of the season. It may take a bit longer for the one plant to get there though. I know this sounds crazy. My weights have gone up since I started doing it this way. I see no harm in doing it the way KC kevin or Bit T hoff do it. However even a week or so of covering could have the potential to cause some damage. Its like wearing wet socks all the time. You will get nail fungus!!! Or athletes foot!

2/25/2025 1:21:45 PM

Grittyville, WA

Interesting analogy bigmoon! I agree... I think the two underside nodes can send out large enough roots to tap the resources in the vicinity of their leaf. If the resources in the ground are sufficiently tapped by just the two roots, then more roots may just be redundant.

2/25/2025 2:54:10 PM

Grittyville, WA

I think its worth the effort to get good soil contact and good rooting at least on the underside of the vine, so I dont think people should just get lazy and do nothing. A small amount of shoveling the dirt against the vine (but maybe not over it) will help. Just my opinion.

2/25/2025 2:59:34 PM

Hadley Ny

BigMoon ..only thing I saw was that without a little covering it doesn't produce roots as much as a covering would. I've tried 3 ways some, none, buried. I like cover the nodes. Then again it could all be genetics..some nodes have thrown out 5-6 roots. If you have the space the more roots the better in my opinion.

[Last edit: 02/25/25 3:31:56 PM]

2/25/2025 3:30:21 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Great points and lots to consider especially with the upper root at each node. Definitely going to give it a shot, just not sure of the fine print.

Ketchup, this isn't a "lazy" method. I want to try it because of the disease pressure in heavy clay soils and high humidity. But, I definitely agree on good soil contact... no levitating vines this year!

2/26/2025 10:15:12 PM

Grittyville, WA

Some people do a more rigorous burying/ unburying protocol with their main vine. They care less about the side vines. I think whether the main vine itself (or the node(s) closest to the pumpkin?) should be given extra care, is an interesting question.
If you're not opposed to chemicals/ extra work you could paint some daconil on the main vine nodes prior to burying. I would dilute it to somewhere a bit nearer to the recommended application strength. Just an idea, I havent heard of anyone doing this proactively... It does works well reactively though.

2/27/2025 5:48:58 AM

Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

After seeing what the steltss achieved with not burying it makes me wonder would be better for disease prevention and treatment especially if you use the same patch each season

3/1/2025 2:55:46 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Hey Dale, I didn't know Stelts used that method too. I grow in the same clay base each year so gonna give it a try. Big Moon above also grew 1668# without burying too.

Thanks everyone for the input.

3/1/2025 3:05:35 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

When I was growing, I buried vines for only one reason: wind.
High winds were inevitable during spring and summer thunderstorms and, growing in such an open environment, burying was my best hope. I had tried barriers of various types, but downforce winds defeated them.

When Hurricane Ike blew through here in 2008 with 80 MPH sustained winds, every vine withstood the onslaught. The foliage, however, did not, as every leaf had disappeared, with only the stalks remaining.

3/1/2025 4:16:41 PM

Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

Yeah Luke its in the fall 2024 interview gpc edition I think I will grow one without burying and the other. Not sure

3/3/2025 5:16:43 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Being this far south we all have to cover our new vines or it's burn city. I guess it all depends on how you grow and your location.
When the plants are growing a foot a day, I just keep moving my shade on each side of the plant every few days. A lot of growers down here ( because they get so hot ) shade the whole plant all season with good luck.

3/3/2025 8:29:56 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Same here TruchTech1471, super windy sometimes and burying vines has saved us from vine rollover but has resulted in vine rot and other issues. I’m trying to find the happy medium between covering roots and burying vines.

3/8/2025 3:37:03 PM