Have a great invention to help with gardening? Are you the self-reliant type that prefers Building It Yourself vs. buying it? Share and discuss your ideas and projects with other members.
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
May 13, 2014 | #16 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 2,052
|
My 2x3's are standard studs, screwed into the wood beds. They only cost a little over $2 each which was much cheaper than PVC. I used jute twine last year and spiraled the plants up the twine, but that was costly for 180 plants. This year I'm using poly twine and I'm going to use the Florida Weave with only 108 plants instead of pruning and spiraling. I got 3000 clips but they are labor intensive, too, so I plan on only using them in special situations. I got the link for the twine (10,000 ft spool) from Carolyn Phillips in her "Just Showing Off" thread.
http://hydro-gardens.com/growsup1.htm Quote:
|
|
May 13, 2014 | #17 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 2,052
|
That's a nice setup too Rob. It does look costly and labor intensive for larger scale growing. Those are some good looking fruit on your plants!
|
May 13, 2014 | #18 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
|
If a person were to use re-bar the weight of the re-bar would off-set any advantage over it being solid.
Tubing on the other hand is lite and would have almost no weight in the middle. Also since there is a foot sticking out on both sides with tomatoes hanging from the ends. This would counter the weight at the one foot mark on the other side of the up-rite.. Then in reality you would be supported up to the 4 foot mark. If a person were worried they could always use 3/4 EMT conduit or run a cable from the end of the top cross bar to the inside of the bottom cross bar. This is a cantilever and is used in construction of buildings and bridges. Worth |
May 13, 2014 | #19 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Eastern Suburb of Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,313
|
Quick, question/concern- My experience with the white PVC pipe like you're using is that it will break-down over a year or two under the sun's UV rays. I would be worried that your main PVC support posts will crack and grow brittle with time. If you paint or treat them in some way, you can probably provide some protection to delay that demise. Nice setup BTW!
-naysen |
May 13, 2014 | #20 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
|
Quote:
Any exposed PVC I have at home is painted. I also read a report by a PVC manufacture that the new pipe doesn't break down as quick as the old stuff. Worth |
|
May 13, 2014 | #21 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: peru, Iowa zone 5a
Posts: 167
|
What kind of paint should I use? It may have to wait till winter as my tomatoes are in the ground .
__________________
Rob |
May 13, 2014 | #22 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
|
Quote:
Then scuff them up with a scotch brite pad or 100 grit sand paper. Then get some of the paint that is made for plastic like Krylon Fusion home depot sells one by another brand. Worth |
|
May 13, 2014 | #23 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: ny
Posts: 1,219
|
Thanks for all the helpful advice in this thread guys!
|
May 13, 2014 | #24 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: peru, Iowa zone 5a
Posts: 167
|
Thank you kindly
__________________
Rob |
May 14, 2014 | #25 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: ny
Posts: 1,219
|
Last year I did/tried the florida weave with some home made 1x2 wood posts and it was not good. All came tumbling down at the end. I found it not all that great - cumbersome and didn't support that well. Its probably the 1x2 not being strong enough or my tension being too tight but I used jute and it seemed to degrade over the months of summer and with the weight of the plant/fruits. Maybe I just have bad weaving technique. From what I can tell the single string actually looks more substantial, especially if you can twirl the plant around the twine instead of using clips, and if the frame can support the strings. I just need to figure out the twine situation. I only have 15 plants, maybe I'll just get some paracord.
Quote:
|
|
May 14, 2014 | #26 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 1,413
|
Quote:
|
|
May 17, 2014 | #27 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,068
|
I used the 1/2 inch conduit trellis for the last few years using 3 horizontal bars and tying the plants with sisal twine. The problem was all the tying and with our long season I always ended up with a mess later in the season no matter how much I pruned. The first two pictures show this trellis system.
Currently I am trying using 3/4 inch conduit along the top rail and 1/2 inch along the ground and tying baling twine between them. I will be using clips and some wrapping of the line around the stems to support the vines which I am going to have to limit to no more than 3 stems. It is easiest with just one stem but some plants need more for foliage cover. Everything is held together with zip ties. I sure hope it works because it is sure easier. The last few pics show this setup. Bill |
May 18, 2014 | #28 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 2,052
|
Bill
That's a great looking setup. I can't imagine why it wouldn't work. Your plants look strong and healthy. |
May 18, 2014 | #29 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
|
Looks great nice healthy plants.
Worth Last edited by Worth1; May 18, 2014 at 12:14 PM. |
May 18, 2014 | #30 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: peru, Iowa zone 5a
Posts: 167
|
Quote:
__________________
Rob |
|
|
|