Tomato Cages?

EBCIII · March 25, 2015

My Dad has some cages made from Red Brand Fence Wire. I plan on using the the stinging method for my beds this year. I have the wood to make the supports and the string. His cages are too big around if I make them smaller and drop the string down to them will this work? Thanks in advance, Beale.

Worth1 · March 25, 2015

If the cages are tall enough I dont see as to the need for string coming down from the top.
How big around (diameter) were they and what are they now and how tall?

Worth

EBCIII · March 26, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

If the cages are tall enough I dont see as to the need for string coming down from the top.
How big around (diameter) were they and what are they now and how tall?

Worth

I would say they are 4' high by 3' around Worth. Would you change them in any way? Thanks in advance, Beale.

creister · March 26, 2015

I don't think you will need string from the top. The tops of the plants will grow over and trellis down. I have 5 foot cages, and the only way I have kept them from growing over the top is to prune the tops.

heirloomtomaguy · March 26, 2015

As far as the diameter goes 3 ft is fine the plants will grow in. No need to string anything from the top. You may need to add a cage if the variety you are grown is known to out grow 4 ft.

EBCIII · March 27, 2015

The reason I am going to string is I want other veggies in my beds. If I do not I will not have room for them. I have onions, Carrots, and Bunch beens. I also have Cilantro, Orageno, Basil, and was even looking at Corn? Maybe I just do not have the room this year, Beale.

Mike723 · June 5, 2015

I personally don't like to let my plants "sprawl" over the top and down the sides of cages.. I always end up with broken branches, and harder to get at fruit.. I use 8' stakes and I rig up some pvc for makeshift trellis' on top.. I just tie up as needed.. They're not the prettiest thing in the world, but in the future i'll be using bamboo once I get enough culms put aside..

Not the best pictures, as the plants were still young and not over the tops much, but you could see the pvc here.. They're kinda funny looking, but they get the job done for now...

Worth1 · June 7, 2015

The things look good to me.

Worth

Mike723 · June 7, 2015

Thanks Worth.. Eventually I'd like to make them out of bamboo, once I have enough culms.. For the short term I was thinking of painting them green but I'm not too keen on latex paint chipping off into the soil lol ..

March 25, 2015	#1
EBCIII Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South East Va Zone 7A Posts: 306	Tomato Cages? My Dad has some cages made from Red Brand Fence Wire. I plan on using the the stinging method for my beds this year. I have the wood to make the supports and the string. His cages are too big around if I make them smaller and drop the string down to them will this work? Thanks in advance, Beale.

March 26, 2015	#5
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	As far as the diameter goes 3 ft is fine the plants will grow in. No need to string anything from the top. You may need to add a cage if the variety you are grown is known to out grow 4 ft. __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

June 5, 2015	#7
Mike723 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: CT Posts: 290	I personally don't like to let my plants "sprawl" over the top and down the sides of cages.. I always end up with broken branches, and harder to get at fruit.. I use 8' stakes and I rig up some pvc for makeshift trellis' on top.. I just tie up as needed.. They're not the prettiest thing in the world, but in the future i'll be using bamboo once I get enough culms put aside.. Not the best pictures, as the plants were still young and not over the tops much, but you could see the pvc here.. They're kinda funny looking, but they get the job done for now... Last edited by Mike723; June 5, 2015 at 04:41 PM.

March 25, 2015	#2
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	If the cages are tall enough I dont see as to the need for string coming down from the top. How big around (diameter) were they and what are they now and how tall? Worth

March 26, 2015	#4
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	I don't think you will need string from the top. The tops of the plants will grow over and trellis down. I have 5 foot cages, and the only way I have kept them from growing over the top is to prune the tops.

March 27, 2015	#6
EBCIII Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South East Va Zone 7A Posts: 306	The reason I am going to string is I want other veggies in my beds. If I do not I will not have room for them. I have onions, Carrots, and Bunch beens. I also have Cilantro, Orageno, Basil, and was even looking at Corn? Maybe I just do not have the room this year, Beale.

June 7, 2015	#8
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	The things look good to me. Worth