Simple, cheap experimental cuke trellis? Is it crazy?

[squirrel789]

This year, I am experimenting with 170 gallon galvanized horse troughs with heavy-duty 5" castors on my back patio. I've posted probably too much already in the tomato forums for now about my tomato trough, so I thought I'd post a few things here

With not much $$ or time, I made this trellis for some Muncher Cuke seeds I planted in my second trough (experimental trough #2). I thinned to 4 plants in a 3.5' x 1'-ish foot area, with a 2 extra seedlings left around in case something should happen to my precious 4. I can thin further if absolutely necessary. I am hoping to use the same principals as my tomato trough: close spacing, intense fertilization, and vertical growth to maximize and assess possible production in a very limited space... which best describes my back patio . About the only good thing about the patio is I can wheel the containers into partial shade if they get too hot here in the MO summer, or if there is a hail storm or something similar.

The openings in the trellis are smaller than many recommended (2" x 3") as most recommended cattle panels, but I already had the 8' tomato stakes, and the fencing was what was available easily/cheaply, and were the zillion zip ties holding everything together. Plus, the fencing came in a 3' width, which is exactly half of my trough length.

The entire other half of the container is being saved solely for a single Costata Romanesco zucchini, my absolute favorite variety (and it grows really well and has a long season of production here, unusual for an Italian variety in southwestern MO). It just sprouted before I mulched the container and set up the mostly under-the-mulch soaker hose. The zucchini is there if you look closely I'm sure I'll show some of that in a zucchini thread if/when it works out.

As I've said before, containers and vertical growing are very new to me and I wanted to share a few pics and get some thoughts if anyone is willing to share them. Criticisms are appreciated too because this was all just a rather uneducated experiment and I really hope to learn how to prepare a better setup in these containers next year (and I fully realize this isn't a perfect or particularly pretty setup, but I am just going for a max possible production vs limited space experiment).

I guess my question is this: can I train the cukes to grow straight up vertically and then down the other side? Or, will they likely split where the 2 parts of fencing meet, around halfway up, and all grow upwards? In retrospect, I should have made a larger arch going back to the container, but I didn't plan ahead well enough and didn't want to start from scratch with a longer piece of fencing. Again, this is an experiment to learn from for next year.

Also, I know they are spaced a bit too close, but that is part of the experiment, as there should be plenty of room for the root systems in this giant container, and am really focusing more on a way to maximize vertical vine growth without too many problems from vine overcrowding. If nothing else, at least other newbies with similar ideas can learn what not to do If it does work, hopefully I'll need a ladder

For now though they are barely sprouted. I hope they continue to grow!

Thanks for looking and/or posting! Please critique away!

[ddsack]

Your cukes should do fine on the trellis. The smaller size squares are actually a bonus, because the tendrils will find places to clutch onto more quickly than the bigger cattle panels squares. You should be able to train them to go whichever way you want with some daily repositioning of tendrils and growing tips. You can carefully unwind/rewind the tendrils if they have not gotten too tight. I am impressed with your casters! Great idea! Let us know how it goes!

[Labradors2]

Great idea! I grew Green Fingers last year and they did very well on a trellis which was about 7' tall, although they were monsterous, especially when grown in (aged) cow manure.

I think they are too close, and would be inclined to remove the two cukes closest to the peppers.

From another crammer .

Linda

[Stvrob]

What is supporting the trellis wire? Is it that plasic coated tubular steel with the simulated bamboo finish? Is it attached to the inside of the container or stuck in the soil? Only you can decide if its strong enough to hold a trellis full of fruit vines and leaves against the wind.

[G from NC]

Haw Haw

Seriously, i like it. Ingenious! I was working on an experimental trellis of my own today....and tomorrow as well, and possibly Saturday. I love to see other growers ingenuity. Thanks for sharing.

Think of your cukes as tiny green Chuck Yeagers.

G

[squirrel789]

Thanks for all the opinions, it's all very encouraging!

Originally Posted by Stvrob

What is supporting the trellis wire? Is it that plasic coated tubular steel with the simulated bamboo finish? Is it attached to the inside of the container or stuck in the soil? Only you can decide if its strong enough to hold a trellis full of fruit vines and leaves against the wind.

The poles are tubular steel with a green plastic coating and both poles and mesh are secured with a whole lot of plastic zip ties (I used a whole bag!). I just stuck them down as deep as possible (about 2'), but drilling a few more holes in this already leaky trough is no big deal for me. I could then maybe secure it to the sides with more zip ties, or something more secure if anyone has a suggestion. It feels sturdy, when I try to shake it, but we do get some serious storms around here sometimes. I'm not sure how much the vines will weigh or if the movement of the loop in the top half is a bad thing, but if there's a chance it could come down the plants would be irreparably damaged. I didn't even think about the stakes falling over, I figured they were buried deep enough. Now I will have to go shake it again to make sure Thanks for the advice!

I thought I would move it up against the house if a big storm is coming. That's why I liked the idea of the 5" castors on the troughs, for all the variables I invariably couldn't anticipate

Thanks for the responses, its great to hear everyone's thoughts!

[squirrel789]

Originally Posted by Labradors2

Great idea! I grew Green Fingers last year and they did very well on a trellis which was about 7' tall, although they were monsterous, especially when grown in (aged) cow manure.

I think they are too close, and would be inclined to remove the two cukes closest to the peppers.

From another crammer .

Linda

Hi Linda!

Ugh... I am having a hard time transitioning from having nearly unlimited in-ground space to 2 water troughs on my patio (plus a few pots and such)... This is my first foray into anything resembling real container gardening, so please pardon my ignorance.

If another confessed crammer says they're too close, then I should listen. I just hate pulling seedlings out If the trellis won't contain the vines, and of course some will inevitable escape elsewhere, then maybe I should thin them as suggested. That would be like a 3' row with 3 plants if I pull them. I will have to contemplate this... 3 plants seem like so few, but it is a small space. I will wait until they are a bit more mature, in case of hail, squirrel attack, or some other catastrophe. Then I will likely pull them. I plan to keep this forum updated as this experiment goes on, for better or worse, so check back sometime and see how they are doing later this season if you want.

I was just hoping that with enough soil volume I could really cram them in there and then train the vines different ways vertically (maybe a second rediculous trellis)? I will probably pull them, but I'll have to agonize over it awhile first

Thanks so much for the advice and the reply!

[Labradors2]

Squirrel,

I wouldn't destroy those seedlings that you remove from the trough . Simply put them into another container or two......

Cukes don't have to be grown vertically.....

Cheers,
Linda