tying up tomatoes

[t-ham]

Just a quick canvas on techniques for tying up plants as they grow. Do you secure vines to the sides of the cage, or to ties secured to the top so that the vine is suspended in a freer manner? Also, and more importantly, what do you use that will support the weight yet have some "give" so that the vines don't get jerked around in a heavy wind? Following that line of thought, does anyone use any sort of "shock absorber" in line with the tie? Is more secure better that swingin' in the breeze? Do rusty CRW cages damage the plants where they come into contact?

I've used everything from sisal twine to strips of old bedsheets to scraps of landscape fabric trimmed off my pallet garden. None of these questions would have arisen had I not found TV and been forced to "step up my game".

Thanks in advance,

Tom