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Tomato Support Idea
Since I'm cutting way back on my tomato plants this season, I think I'll try a different method to support the plants. I use the green steel fence posts that you buy at any hardware store 5' tall. All the other years I used a single stake per plant which worked ok but constant tying here and there is necessary and some branches still break due to the weight of the fruit. Since I'll have an excess of fence posts this season, I plan to put 3 stakes around each plant in the shape of a triangle. I'll run parachute cord from stake to stake at several different heights. It should work kind of like a tomato cage except much stronger as each stake will be a foot or more into the ground and the cross members will be of parachute cord and not wire. Each stake forming the triangle, I'll place eight or nine inches from the plant. By doing this, I think that I may be able to get as big a harvest even though I'm setting out half the amount of plants. When using a single stake, I would prune the plant in order to have one or two main stems. I should now be able to allow at least four main stems per plant. I do realize the size of the fruit may not be as large but the volume of fruit should surpass the difference. Any opinions on this idea? Rich from PA zone 5-6 |
Tomato Support Idea
On Dec 28, 12:16*am, (EVP MAN) wrote:
Since I'm cutting way back on my tomato plants this season, *I think I'll try a different method to support the plants. *I use the green steel fence posts that you buy at any hardware store 5' tall. *All the other years I used a single stake per plant which worked ok but constant tying here and there is necessary and some branches still break due to the weight of the fruit. *Since I'll have an excess of fence posts this season, *I plan to put 3 stakes around each plant in the shape of a triangle. *I'll run parachute cord from stake to stake at several different heights. *It should work kind of like a tomato cage except much stronger as each stake will be a foot or more into the ground and the cross members will be of parachute cord and not wire. *Each stake forming the triangle, *I'll place eight or nine inches from the plant. By doing this, *I think that I may be able to get as big a harvest even though I'm setting out half the amount of plants. *When using a single stake, *I would prune the plant in order to have one or two main stems. I should now be able to allow at least four main stems per plant. *I do realize the size of the fruit may not be as large but the volume of fruit should surpass the difference. *Any opinions on this idea? Rich from PA *zone 5-6 The Amish around here, DE run 2 lines of fencing about 5' tall and about 18" to 2' apart and grow between them. They remove lots of the leaves, and their vines are loaded with 'maters. Easy to reach and totally in view. nanzi |
Tomato Support Idea (nanzi)
Yes, I can see where that would work very well provided your plants are all in a straight row. But for my purpose, I need a support method for each individual plant. I'd also like to utilize the stakes and parachute cord which I already have on hand :) Rich |
Tomato Support Idea (nanzi)
On Dec 29, 12:02*pm, (EVP MAN) wrote:
Yes, *I can see where that would work very well provided your plants are all in a straight row. *But for my purpose, *I need a support method for each individual plant. *I'd also like to utilize the stakes and parachute cord which I already have on hand :) Rich Where do you get parachute cord? |
Tomato Support Idea
On 12/29/2010 12:27 PM, Nanzi wrote:
On Dec 28, 12:16 am, (EVP MAN) wrote: Since I'm cutting way back on my tomato plants this season, I think I'll try a different method to support the plants. I use the green steel fence posts that you buy at any hardware store 5' tall. All the other years I used a single stake per plant which worked ok but constant tying here and there is necessary and some branches still break due to the weight of the fruit. Since I'll have an excess of fence posts this season, I plan to put 3 stakes around each plant in the shape of a triangle. I'll run parachute cord from stake to stake at several different heights. It should work kind of like a tomato cage except much stronger as each stake will be a foot or more into the ground and the cross members will be of parachute cord and not wire. Each stake forming the triangle, I'll place eight or nine inches from the plant. By doing this, I think that I may be able to get as big a harvest even though I'm setting out half the amount of plants. When using a single stake, I would prune the plant in order to have one or two main stems. I should now be able to allow at least four main stems per plant. I do realize the size of the fruit may not be as large but the volume of fruit should surpass the difference. Any opinions on this idea? Rich from PA zone 5-6 I think the idea will work fine, as others have pointed out. As to your last observation, yes - that is a likely bet, and has been my experience, too. I'll trade many medium size fruits for few very large fruits every time. Since I grow a large-fruited tomato to begin with, I still get lots of fruits of tennis ball size. Tony M. |
Tomato Support Idea (Higgs B)
I bought a 1000 ft. spool at Amazon. It's not real cheap at $50 a spool but the stuff lasts a very long time. Rich |
Tomato Support Idea (nanzi)
EVP MAN wrote:
Yes, I can see where that would work very well provided your plants are all in a straight row. But for my purpose, I need a support method for each individual plant. I'd also like to utilize the stakes and parachute cord which I already have on hand :) There is no way to maintain a dialog with you. Why don't you quote who/what you're responding to? You're essentially talking to yourself as though in a sanitorium. Weird dude. |
Tomato Support Idea (nanzi)
On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:43:11 -0800 (PST), Higgs Boson
wrote: On Dec 29, 12:02*pm, (EVP MAN) wrote: Yes, *I can see where that would work very well provided your plants are all in a straight row. *But for my purpose, *I need a support method for each individual plant. *I'd also like to utilize the stakes and parachute cord which I already have on hand :) Rich Where do you get parachute cord? My question is _will_ the cord support the plants? Some reason I think it would have to be really taunt or it would sag, and not give the support needed. thinking out loud |
Tomato Support Idea (Brooklyn)
In my heading I had (nanzi) and that was who I was responding to. I use web tv to post and not a computer. Perhaps things look different in this discuss group to those who use computers. On my web tv, it all looks very normal just as it should and it's very clear who I respond to. I usually don't respond at all to rude people but just wanted to clear this up for others who may use the group! |
Tomato Support Idea (Oren)
The breaking strength on parachute cord in 550 lbs. If you soak the cord in water for a short while before you use it, the cord will shrink a small amount. The cord is about 3/16" in diameter. The problem I had when I used the store bought wire tomato cages was that the branches of my plants would bend down over the wire cage and snap off. I think the problem with the cages is the fact that the wire doesn't have any give to it and the branches tend to break instead. The parachute cord will indeed have some give and it's a bit heaver in diameter also. Hopefully this should work better than the cages. I'll also drive the steel stakes into the ground at least a foot or more which should make a good sturdy support. Rich |
Tomato Support Idea (Brooklyn)
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Tomato Support Idea
I just click respond to the post I'm reading. I have to type in on the subject line myself. I just responded to your post but now I'll go up and remove Brooklyn from the subject line before I hit send. The people who create groups using web tv are considered the group owner. The group owner can also ban trouble makers from using his or her group. Once a ban is in place, the person can read the posts but they can't post or respond to others in the group. It's kind of a shame this group don't seem to have a owner with the same web tools. Rich |
Tomato Support Idea
Web tv must not ad a portion of the thread I respond to. It doesn't do it automatically or give me that option. The only choice I have is to read a thread and then hit respond and let web tv do it's thing......LOL That's why I type the persons nick in the subject line at times to let them know I'm responding to their post. I'd rather grow and eat matters also :) .............. Rich |
Tomato Support Idea
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Tomato Support Idea
On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:06:24 -0800, Oren wrote:
On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:36:31 -0500, (EVP MAN) wrote: Web tv must not ad a portion of the thread I respond to. It doesn't do it automatically or give me that option. The only choice I have is to read a thread and then hit respond and let web tv do it's thing......LOL That's why I type the persons nick in the subject line at times to let them know I'm responding to their post. I'd rather grow and eat matters also :) .............. Rich There should be the ability for you to select the portion of text you wish to reply that would be included in your reply. "There should be", but web-tv is crippled on purpose. It is designed to be easy to use, like a tv-set, and you only get a few lines of text at a time. Of course this "ease of use" makes it very difficult to do anything other than the few easy tasks. |
Tomato Support Idea
EVP MAN wrote:
Since I'm cutting way back on my tomato plants this season, I think I'll try a different method to support the plants. I use the green steel fence posts that you buy at any hardware store 5' tall. All the other years I used a single stake per plant which worked ok but constant tying here and there is necessary and some branches still break due to the weight of the fruit. Since I'll have an excess of fence posts this season, I plan to put 3 stakes around each plant in the shape of a triangle. I'll run parachute cord from stake to stake at several different heights. It should work kind of like a tomato cage except much stronger as each stake will be a foot or more into the ground and the cross members will be of parachute cord and not wire. Each stake forming the triangle, I'll place eight or nine inches from the plant. By doing this, I think that I may be able to get as big a harvest even though I'm setting out half the amount of plants. When using a single stake, I would prune the plant in order to have one or two main stems. I should now be able to allow at least four main stems per plant. I do realize the size of the fruit may not be as large but the volume of fruit should surpass the difference. Any opinions on this idea? Rich from PA zone 5-6 I do something similar. I make a teepee fram from three stakes lashed together at the top, so each helps support the others, and I don't have to drive them into the ground as far. Then I use whatever I have to lash the plants as they grow. Around here the commercial farmers don't stake their tomatoes at all, but when I let one get too near the ground the various bugs get into it. |
Tomato Support Idea (Brooklyn)
Oren wrote:
EVP MAN wrote: In my heading I had (nanzi) and that was who I was responding to. I use web tv to post and not a computer. Perhaps things look different in this discuss group to those who use computers. On my web tv, it all looks very normal just as it should and it's very clear who I respond to. Does Web TV allow you to just click "reply"? You would be replying to the article/thread you are reading at the time. I don't know how it works is why I ask.... For example -- can you reply to me without adding (Oren) on the subject line or does Web TV add that automatically? I tried webtv when it first appeared, like 20 years ago. You were able to quote then but needed to know how to manipulate their keyboard... now I understand that quoting is even easier. The only reason webtv'ers don't quote is the same that some pc users don't trim posts, pure laziness. |
Tomato Support Idea (notat home)
I think most commercial farmers grow determinate plants. I grow indeterminate plants which get much bigger. When these load up with fruit, they can become quite heavy and good support is needed. I have heard of the tee pee method but never gave it a try. Seems like it should work quite well also. The reason I want to drive my stakes a foot or more into the ground is because of high winds we get during thunder storms in our area. That wind can really do a number on the garden plants. I always prune my tomato plants so none of the leaves ever touch the ground. Rich |
Tomato Support Idea (notat home)
For Determent tomatoes I use heavy steel ladders and/or steel post with
garden twine. Determinate's use a single stalk that grows straight up. For indeterminate I use those lighter circular tomato supports because they are bushier. I usually just have three indeterminate plants for eating. The five dozen determinate plants are for canning. -- Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan) |
Tomato Support Idea
On Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:44:04 -0500, Notat Home wrote:
EVP MAN wrote: Since I'm cutting way back on my tomato plants this season, I think I'll try a different method to support the plants. I use the green steel fence posts that you buy at any hardware store 5' tall. All the other years I used a single stake per plant which worked ok but constant tying here and there is necessary and some branches still break due to the weight of the fruit. Since I'll have an excess of fence posts this season, I plan to put 3 stakes around each plant in the shape of a triangle. I'll run parachute cord from stake to stake at several different heights. It should work kind of like a tomato cage except much stronger as each stake will be a foot or more into the ground and the cross members will be of parachute cord and not wire. Each stake forming the triangle, I'll place eight or nine inches from the plant. By doing this, I think that I may be able to get as big a harvest even though I'm setting out half the amount of plants. When using a single stake, I would prune the plant in order to have one or two main stems. I should now be able to allow at least four main stems per plant. I do realize the size of the fruit may not be as large but the volume of fruit should surpass the difference. Any opinions on this idea? Rich from PA zone 5-6 I do something similar. I make a teepee fram from three stakes lashed together at the top, so each helps support the others, and I don't have to drive them into the ground as far. Then I use whatever I have to lash the plants as they grow. Around here the commercial farmers don't stake their tomatoes at all, but when I let one get too near the ground the various bugs get into it. Commercial growers spread about 6" of straw for their tomato plants to vine on, keeps the fruits off the ground so they stay dry and prevents back splash onto leaves during rains, less chance of mold. I've tried that method but there's more bending required and the plants use a lot more space than staking. I found quality cages work best. |
Tomato Support Idea
On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:06:24 -0800, Oren wrote:
On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:36:31 -0500, (EVP MAN) wrote: Web tv must not ad a portion of the thread I respond to. It doesn't do it automatically or give me that option. The only choice I have is to read a thread and then hit respond and let web tv do it's thing......LOL That's why I type the persons nick in the subject line at times to let them know I'm responding to their post. I'd rather grow and eat matters also :) .............. Rich There should be the ability for you to select the portion of text you wish to reply that would be included in your reply. It can be mouse (right click, select text and then hit reply) or keyboard selection of the text you want to comment about. I don't know for Web TV . I think we now have you on the same single "Subject line", for now. That is important. I growed [sic] me some big matters one year. Cherries nearly as big as a half-dollar. I had vines 14' long -at least. And plenty of stake matters. I gave many to three neighbors and still had plenty for canning tomato sauce. Really can't make sauce from cherry/salad tomatoes, they contain way too much water... I tried, they need to be cooked so long to reduce that it no longer tastes anything like tomato.... I remember simmering that 27 quart pot for more than 30 hours.... a total waste of time, effort, energy, and tomatoes. |
Tomato Support Idea
Brooklyn1 Gravesend1 wrote:
On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:06:24 -0800, Oren wrote: On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:36:31 -0500, (EVP MAN) wrote: Web tv must not ad a portion of the thread I respond to. It doesn't do it automatically or give me that option. The only choice I have is to read a thread and then hit respond and let web tv do it's thing......LOL That's why I type the persons nick in the subject line at times to let them know I'm responding to their post. I'd rather grow and eat matters also :) .............. Rich There should be the ability for you to select the portion of text you wish to reply that would be included in your reply. It can be mouse (right click, select text and then hit reply) or keyboard selection of the text you want to comment about. I don't know for Web TV . I think we now have you on the same single "Subject line", for now. That is important. I growed [sic] me some big matters one year. Cherries nearly as big as a half-dollar. I had vines 14' long -at least. And plenty of stake matters. I gave many to three neighbors and still had plenty for canning tomato sauce. Really can't make sauce from cherry/salad tomatoes, they contain way too much water... I tried, they need to be cooked so long to reduce that it no longer tastes anything like tomato.... I remember simmering that 27 quart pot for more than 30 hours.... a total waste of time, effort, energy, and tomatoes. True, I use Roma's for sauce. Blanch, remove skin and seeds and just use the pulp. Outside of eating the little ones straight up or in salads, I sometimes toss them in my chili. -- Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan) |
Tomato Support Idea
On Dec 30, 9:44*am, Dan L wrote:
Brooklyn1 Gravesend1 wrote: On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:06:24 -0800, Oren wrote: On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:36:31 -0500, (EVP MAN) wrote: Web tv must not ad a portion of the thread I respond to. *It doesn't do it automatically or give me that option. *The only choice I have is to read a thread and then hit respond and let web tv do it's thing......LOL That's why I type the persons nick in the subject line at times to let them know I'm responding to their post. *I'd rather grow and eat matters also :) *.............. Rich There should be the ability for you to select the portion of text you wish to reply that would be included in your reply. It can be mouse (right click, select text and then hit reply) *or keyboard selection of the text you want to comment about. *I don't know for Web TV . I think we now *have you on the same single *"Subject line", for now. That is important. I growed [sic] me some big matters one year. Cherries nearly *as big as a half-dollar. I had vines 14' long -at least. *And plenty of stake matters. *I gave many to three neighbors and still had plenty for canning tomato sauce. Really can't make sauce from cherry/salad tomatoes, they contain way too much water... I tried, they need to be cooked so long to reduce that it no longer tastes anything like tomato.... I remember simmering that 27 quart pot for more than 30 hours.... a total waste of time, effort, energy, and tomatoes. True, I use Roma's for sauce. Blanch, remove skin and seeds and just use the pulp. Outside of eating the little ones straight up or in salads, I sometimes toss them in my chili. -- Enjoy Life... Nad R *(Garden in zone 5a Michigan) Why did you put an apostrophe in "Roma's"? |
Tomato Support Idea (Brooklyn)
"EVP MAN" wrote
In my heading I had (nanzi) and that was who I was responding to. I use web tv to post and not a computer. Perhaps things look different in this discuss group to those who use computers. On my web tv, it all looks very normal just as it should and it's very clear who I respond to. I usually don't respond at all to rude people but just wanted to clear this up for others who may use the group! No problem on my end! This isn't such a huge traffic group that we can't figure it out. I'd rather have you here even if your posting isnt the same as the big groups use (which is very hard to do with Web TV I gather). |
Tomato Support Idea
On Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:16:57 -0500, EVP MAN wrote:
Since I'm cutting way back on my tomato plants this season, I think I'll try a different method to support the plants. I use the green steel fence posts that you buy at any hardware store 5' tall. All the other years I used a single stake per plant which worked ok but constant tying here and there is necessary and some branches still break due to the weight of the fruit. Since I'll have an excess of fence posts this season, I plan to put 3 stakes around each plant in the shape of a triangle. I'll run parachute cord from stake to stake at several different heights. It should work kind of like a tomato cage except much stronger as each stake will be a foot or more into the ground and the cross members will be of parachute cord and not wire. Each stake forming the triangle, I'll place eight or nine inches from the plant. By doing this, I think that I may be able to get as big a harvest even though I'm setting out half the amount of plants. When using a single stake, I would prune the plant in order to have one or two main stems. I should now be able to allow at least four main stems per plant. I do realize the size of the fruit may not be as large but the volume of fruit should surpass the difference. Any opinions on this idea? Rich from PA zone 5-6 I think your method sounds fine, but just to toss out another method someone might find interesting, a local greenhouse uses twine hung from overhead pipes to support their tomato vines, and I swiped the idea for my outdoor garden. Since I already had an 8 foot high fence to keep the deer out, I put a few pipes (1" schedule 10 fence pipe or EMT) across the top. When the tomatoes are big enough to need support, I hang 16 foot pieces of twine from the overhead pipes (toss mid-twine loop over the pipe and pull the length through the loop, no knots) then twist the twine around the vines at about one rotation per 6 inches. Near the bottom come back up with the twine enough to pass under the previous loop to prevent unwinding without strangling the vine. As the vines grow twist them around the twine; no tying required. I have tried between one and 4 vines per plant with this method but usually use 2 vines per plant, one 16 foot piece of twine hung between plants supporting one vine from each of the adjacent plants on the two ends. Once set up it is very quick and easy, but does require something to hold the overhead pipes up so it is a lot of trouble unless you already have a deer fence around your garden. I find it easier than stakes or cages, but not enough to justify installing posts to hold up the pipes if they aren't already there. Glen from PA zone 5 |
Tomato Support Idea
Higgs Boson wrote:
On Dec 30, 9:44 am, Dan L wrote: Brooklyn1 Gravesend1 wrote: On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:06:24 -0800, Oren wrote: On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:36:31 -0500, (EVP MAN) wrote: Web tv must not ad a portion of the thread I respond to. It doesn't do it automatically or give me that option. The only choice I have is to read a thread and then hit respond and let web tv do it's thing......LOL That's why I type the persons nick in the subject line at times to let them know I'm responding to their post. I'd rather grow and eat matters also :) .............. Rich There should be the ability for you to select the portion of text you wish to reply that would be included in your reply. It can be mouse (right click, select text and then hit reply) or keyboard selection of the text you want to comment about. I don't know for Web TV . I think we now have you on the same single "Subject line", for now. That is important. I growed [sic] me some big matters one year. Cherries nearly as big as a half-dollar. I had vines 14' long -at least. And plenty of stake matters. I gave many to three neighbors and still had plenty for canning tomato sauce. Really can't make sauce from cherry/salad tomatoes, they contain way too much water... I tried, they need to be cooked so long to reduce that it no longer tastes anything like tomato.... I remember simmering that 27 quart pot for more than 30 hours.... a total waste of time, effort, energy, and tomatoes. True, I use Roma's for sauce. Blanch, remove skin and seeds and just use the pulp. Outside of eating the little ones straight up or in salads, I sometimes toss them in my chili. -- Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan) Why did you put an apostrophe in "Roma's"? it is the auto spell checker, for quick messages I often do not reread. More often than not the auto spell checker works great. I am also getting use to my new glasses with these so called progressive lenses. It sucks getting old. As I rock in my chair and type this message, blurry.. Clear.. Blurry... Clear... Keep head still !!! -- Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan) |
Yes, I can see where the work will provide a good plant
All in a straight row. But for me, I need a support method Each plant. |
I can see where the work will provide a good plant
All in a straight row. But for me, I need a support method Each plant. |
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