tomato/vine clips

Gerardo · March 28, 2017

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to procure tomato clips and am having a little trouble pulling the trigger on my purchase.

Hoping some of you trellising pros can provide some guidance.

1) Where do you purchase yours?

2) How crucial is it to have the large vs regular size?

3) Do you re-use or toss them?

4) About how many per plant, larger indeterminate?

I put in the labor and now have 1/8 in galvanized running over the top of each of my RGGS tubes, right around 7.5 ft which I can reach comfortably.

Thanks.

Patihum · March 28, 2017

I got mine here - http://www.seedman.com/Product.html
Best price I've found.

This will be the first year I've used them so I can't reply to your other questions. I did go ahead and purchase the larger ones just because.

AKmark · March 28, 2017

I have got them from a few sources, and they are cheap. I use up to 2-3 per plant or so, when I have to drop the vines. Most people would re-use them I just toss them because of time. Get them at least 3/4 inch. Use roller hooks to attach, they cost more, but are way easier and faster than tomahooks.

heirloomtomaguy · March 28, 2017

These are what i use Gerardo. I prune single stem so weight is not to big of a problem. I still put them every couple feet or where a big group of tomatoes are hanging. I buy my clips from a place on the Central Coast called PolyWest. The guy there sells bulk to major farms but always takes care of me on a way smaller scale. I jusy ask him to give me 20 bucks worth and he will usually fill up a big box or a couple of Trader Joes paper bags. I always throw them away after use. In the sun they only last a season anyway.

Gardeneer · March 28, 2017

Last resort, check Amazon !

Gerardo · March 29, 2017

Thanks for sharing your tidbits. I'm gonna try for a local supplier in San Quintín or Ensenada.

kurt · March 29, 2017

There are some brown,thicker than the almost clear white commodity clips.I got some years ago,there are even green ones to blend in different garden setting( my wife's ).Whatever you decide on,keep them minimal,use to direct the vines you choose,I chased those vines for years,now with the clips,proper leader pruning,some innovative rollers,you can tell the plant and direct it to your regimen.I move mine up the vines when needed,once the bottoms are set no need to add more clips,the vine itself can be structural to support it own self as in a natural setting.Everthing you trellis (clips,lines stakes)you will eventually have to take down or suffer the consequences,in this case...the wife's harping about the mass of crap in your backyard of dead,rotted,deceased,fruit fly infested maters on the ground that the critters don,t even want.So keep it simple,less time,mo money.

Gerardo · March 29, 2017

My brother is a firm adherent to the slogan "happy wife happy life"
Me not so much

Thanks for the thorough writeup Kurt.

PureHarvest · March 29, 2017

1. Farmtek
2. Jumbo
3. Toss
4. About one per foot, so 6-8 ish

Roller hooks are the best. I'm on year 3 on some of the spools of string...

Gerardo · March 31, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by PureHarvest

1. Farmtek
2. Jumbo
3. Toss
4. About one per foot, so 6-8 ish

Roller hooks are the best. I'm on year 3 on some of the spools of string...

Thanks!

Cole_Robbie · March 31, 2017

I bought a pack of the clear ones, but I didn't use very many. I don't understand the advantage of the clips, compared to using all twine.

Gerardo · March 31, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

I bought a pack of the clear ones, but I didn't use very many. I don't understand the advantage of the clips, compared to using all twine.

I don't either, that's why I'm gonna give them a shot.

AKmark · March 31, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

I bought a pack of the clear ones, but I didn't use very many. I don't understand the advantage of the clips, compared to using all twine.

If you lower tall plants you will find out why, if labor means anything that is. Trust me, I have tried it all in the last 25 years.

peebee · March 31, 2017

I use the plastic clips that look and act like a big clothes dryer clip, they come in 2 different sizes and I got them at the 99 Cents Store. Is that no good for your use? I'll try to post pic later but I'm at work now.

guruofgardens · March 31, 2017

http://www.benmeadows.com/soft-wire-...170331174136:s

We got ours at the Dollar Store in October.

March 28, 2017	#1
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,598	tomato/vine clips Hello everyone, I'm trying to procure tomato clips and am having a little trouble pulling the trigger on my purchase. Hoping some of you trellising pros can provide some guidance. 1) Where do you purchase yours? 2) How crucial is it to have the large vs regular size? 3) Do you re-use or toss them? 4) About how many per plant, larger indeterminate? I put in the labor and now have 1/8 in galvanized running over the top of each of my RGGS tubes, right around 7.5 ft which I can reach comfortably. Thanks.

March 28, 2017	#3
AKmark Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 2,010	I have got them from a few sources, and they are cheap. I use up to 2-3 per plant or so, when I have to drop the vines. Most people would re-use them I just toss them because of time. Get them at least 3/4 inch. Use roller hooks to attach, they cost more, but are way easier and faster than tomahooks. Last edited by AKmark; March 28, 2017 at 03:35 PM.

March 28, 2017	#5
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,919	Last resort, check Amazon ! __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !

March 29, 2017	#7
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,500	There are some brown,thicker than the almost clear white commodity clips.I got some years ago,there are even green ones to blend in different garden setting( my wife's ).Whatever you decide on,keep them minimal,use to direct the vines you choose,I chased those vines for years,now with the clips,proper leader pruning,some innovative rollers,you can tell the plant and direct it to your regimen.I move mine up the vines when needed,once the bottoms are set no need to add more clips,the vine itself can be structural to support it own self as in a natural setting.Everthing you trellis (clips,lines stakes)you will eventually have to take down or suffer the consequences,in this case...the wife's harping about the mass of crap in your backyard of dead,rotted,deceased,fruit fly infested maters on the ground that the critters don,t even want.So keep it simple,less time,mo money. __________________ KURT

March 28, 2017	#2
Patihum Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Southeast Kansas Posts: 878	I got mine here - http://www.seedman.com/Product.html Best price I've found. This will be the first year I've used them so I can't reply to your other questions. I did go ahead and purchase the larger ones just because.

March 29, 2017	#9
PureHarvest Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Mid-Atlantic right on the line of Zone 7a and 7b Posts: 1,369	1. Farmtek 2. Jumbo 3. Toss 4. About one per foot, so 6-8 ish Roller hooks are the best. I'm on year 3 on some of the spools of string...

March 31, 2017	#11
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I bought a pack of the clear ones, but I didn't use very many. I don't understand the advantage of the clips, compared to using all twine.

March 31, 2017	#14
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	I use the plastic clips that look and act like a big clothes dryer clip, they come in 2 different sizes and I got them at the 99 Cents Store. Is that no good for your use? I'll try to post pic later but I'm at work now.

March 31, 2017	#15
guruofgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: zone 5 Colorado Posts: 942	http://www.benmeadows.com/soft-wire-...170331174136:s We got ours at the Dollar Store in October.