"Balvenieman" wrote in message
m...
"Paul M. Cook" wrote:

Do you top them? I am not sure what I can do about getting something tall
enough to support them.
What works for me:
1) An appropriate length of wide-mesh wire fabric such as field fencing
or concrete reinforcing wire bent into a cylindrical tower or "cage"
around the plant. You can gain additional height by cutting the wire so
that it will sit atop the container or;

2) Arrange stakes around the perimeter of the container and join the
stakes with any kind of "small stuff" (twine) such as cotton "kitchen"
twine, jute, seine twine etc. Although, labor intensive, with a little
planning and care this device is reusable.

Although, cucurbits detest being manhandled, if addressed daily and
fairly early in the day before new growth has a good grip, the vine may
be guided around the circumference/perimeter, greatly increasing growing
space. Although this may make fruit hard to spot it may easily be
harvested provided that the wire fabric is coarse enough (most fencing
and reinforcing wire is 5"-6" mesh) or the twine is adequately spaced.
If your vines are rejecting your bamboo stakes I suspect that they
are objecting to some sort of chemical coating or preservative product
used in/on them. I use bamboo harvested from my yard as trellis stakes
AWA for dragonfly perches with no sign of rejection by cucurbits,
"English" garden peas, cowpeas, or lima beans.
FWIW: The above-described cages work very well with sprawling
indeterminate tomatoes whether container or bed grown. Makes harvesting,
bottom pruning, and re-dressing the vines snap-bean easy and a big plus
is that the wire discourages marauding birds. If you use seine twine,
typically Dacron, try to find the "bonded" product; it is treated so as
not to untwist when cut.


I'm looking at getting a dozen feet of the concete screen. The vines are 3
inches taller today. Amazing gowth rate. Looks like I will have a bumper
crop of cucs.

Paul