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minnesota

The last 2 yrs. I have had problems with the vine splitting right where it flops (makes the 90 degree turn and start growing along the ground). What causes this? I have heard over watering, over fertilizing, and bug infestation. Or could it be as simple as stress from the hard turn in the vine? I am thinking about starting the transplanted seeds lying on their sides to eliminate this stress. Has anybody tried that in the past?

1/26/2002 6:25:23 PM

Schenectady,New York

I put soil under the vine where it turns to lessen any stress on the vine.

1/26/2002 7:56:33 PM

Long Island,New York

Could be genetically influenced but more likely an abrupt landing.Plant the plant at a slight angle....place criss-crossed sticks UNDER the vine (like a cradle)....and adjust bi-daily to allow for a gradual landing.Don't let the wind move it at this very delicate time by using bamboo sticks to the left and right of the vine and along the bigger stems......pray.......G

1/26/2002 9:13:19 PM

Webster, NY

I've heard some people bury the main vine early to avoid movement in the wind, and help create extra roots. Has anyone done this and has it helped?

1/26/2002 9:26:39 PM

CT

2001 I sprayed the whole stump with fungicide and buried it. Roots came out of every early leaf node. Durring heavy rain the water washed the soil away and it had to be replaced often. Also SVB's tunnled down the 2nd and 3rd(I think)true leaf stalks and still made it into the stump.

1/26/2002 10:54:12 PM

Utah

small patch-
when you start your plants inside they often get leggy.
i think this adds to the vine weakness and subsequent spliting. i know it's happened to me, too. planting at an
angle sounds like a good idea to me. just make sure you
line up the plant or you'll be adding to the problem.
the main vine runs opposite of the first true leaf.
as mentioned mounding dirt or sand also works as well
as cradling. i have heard that some growers use a nylon
stocking with a support on either side as a cradle.
gordon

1/28/2002 11:18:05 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Most of splitting is caused by the plant flopping over under it's own weight as many people here have already suggested, by allowing the plant to gently touch down onto the ground will prevent this, i just used small forked sticks and adjust them as the days go own, the other thing that will cause splits is of course the wind, the splits occur when the plant is twisted by the wind make sure you have some sort of wind break or achor the plants, on other type of split is caused by the secondary vines, as the grow out from the sides of the plant the will tear the vine as their weight on opposing sides of the vine will tear it open, this happens most often when the plant is young,you should allow the secondary vines some support until they can touch down softly onto the ground. most splits can be twist tied closed until they heal.

Glenn Peters.

1/29/2002 10:56:05 AM