Bagging Question

[Starlight]

Is there an easy way to bag trusses of cherry tomato blossoms? Is there some special size of bag that makes the job easy? I tried bagging just the little blooms but that didn't work so well. My little bags kept sliding off and I have quite a few cherry types that need to be bagged this year for the swap.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Pappi]

You can make your own quite easily. People use things like row cover, tulle, muslin, and other materials. I usually go with a fine tulle. It can be found at the fabric or craft store. Some people use row cover because it might be something they have lying around already. But I've found it doesn't allow adequate airflow.

Just decide how big you want your bag to be and create it. Easiest way I've found is cutting a square or rectangle. Then fold to create a tube/cylinder. Where the edges meet fold it into itself to create a seam. Use a regular stapler to staple the seam together. Then fold a seam at one of the ends of the tube and staple the seam closed as done with the side. Now slide this tube over a whole cluster and secure as you wish.

You might find something better or wish to create your own variation. Some people take the time to try and sew the seams but the stapler just does it in seconds and works great. I've also done this to cover entire micro dwarf plants or larger plants when it's something I'm concerned with or when it's a project I'm working on. The sky is the limit on what size tube you wish to create as long as you can stake it up. Hope this helps.

Pappi

[disneynut1977]

Thanks for asking question Starlight, I was also wondering also as I want to start bagging my tomato and peppers this year.

[charline]

dont make the bags too small. If it gets too hot inside the baggie the fruit will not take. Better do big bags on whole trusses or even branches. Or if it is a small plant cover the entire plant. But then dont forget to shake it regularely
good luck !

[Starlight]

Thanks for the help Pappi! I like that idea of using a stapler. When I need something sewed, I have to do it by hand. Me on a sewing machine is a major disaster. The poor machine will never be the same with me on it.

Charline... Thank you to for the information on going bigger and for sure the shaking of the bags part.

[Aerial]

Pappi,

That's the best instructions on making isolation bags! Your post deserves 5 stars. ☆☆☆☆☆

Wish I'd seen this before purchasing a few hundreds off eBay a few months ago. Thank you for sharing.

Originally Posted by Pappi

You can make your own quite easily. People use things like row cover, tulle, muslin, and other materials. I usually go with a fine tulle...

[neoguy]

I'm lazy, I use these,

http://www.lowes.com/pd_126394-968-1...d=1008387&pl=1


they can be purchased from Lowes or Home Depot and they are available in 1 gallon size as well.

[Starlight]

Originally Posted by neoguy

I'm lazy, I use these,

http://www.lowes.com/pd_126394-968-1...d=1008387&pl=1


they can be purchased from Lowes or Home Depot and they are available in 1 gallon size as well.

I have way ...way to many peppers and tomatoes to buy those bags for bagging. Would cost a small fortune I think. Lowe's didn't show price, but next time I go to Lowe's am gonna look at these bags as if they have enough light and good ventilation they might be just the thing to cover whole small plants and keep flea beetles off young seedlings and keep other pests off of special ones I really want to grow and save seed from.

I love how folks are so inventive using so many different things to get the job done.

[MrBig46]

I use old curtains.
Vladimír

[Starlight]

Originally Posted by MrBig46

I use old curtains.
Vladimír

Fantastic! Another great idea. Vladimir are you using the sheer, almost see-through type curtains? Think l a person could get quite a few bags from a sheer panel. Sheer curtain panels are usually very cheap from the flea markets and thrift stores.

[MrBig46]

Vladimír

[Karrr_Luda]

Great idea, thank you Vladimir! There are thrift shops that sell old clean curtains cheap. I bought a few last year to save some of my red currant berries.

edit: Sorry Star, missed your post!

[Starlight]

I appreciate you posting the pictures Vladimir! They are a big help. A very big help. Now I can see too just how to bag those long trusses of cherry tomatoes I have such a problem with.

I especially enjoyed seeing the picture of all the bags in your garden. Looks good. : )

Now hurry and make and send me about a 1,000 of them. Just joking with you, but thanks for sharing idea and pics. : )

[imp]

Originally Posted by Pappi

You can make your own quite easily. People use things like row cover, tulle, muslin, and other materials. I usually go with a fine tulle. It can be found at the fabric or craft store. Some people use row cover because it might be something they have lying around already. But I've found it doesn't allow adequate airflow.

Just decide how big you want your bag to be and create it. Easiest way I've found is cutting a square or rectangle. Then fold to create a tube/cylinder. Where the edges meet fold it into itself to create a seam. Use a regular stapler to staple the seam together. Then fold a seam at one of the ends of the tube and staple the seam closed as done with the side. Now slide this tube over a whole cluster and secure as you wish.

You might find something better or wish to create your own variation. Some people take the time to try and sew the seams but the stapler just does it in seconds and works great. I've also done this to cover entire micro dwarf plants or larger plants when it's something I'm concerned with or when it's a project I'm working on. The sky is the limit on what size tube you wish to create as long as you can stake it up. Hope this helps.

Pappi

Great idea and fast andeasy, too!

I bet I get some questions about the stapler in my garden box of small tools at the community garden!!!

[Starlight]

Originally Posted by imp

Great idea and fast andeasy, too!

I bet I get some questions about the stapler in my garden box of small tools at the community garden!!!

I'd take two staplers. That way if one jams you can keep going without having to stop and unjam it all the time.