Truss/Tomato Support

[JaxRmrJmr]

I have multiple plants, on which, the truss is bending or folding with only a "light" load of tomatoes this year. I usually start supporting the truss when it has three descent sized tomatoes on it, and then support individual tomatoes if they are over 12 oz or so.

What is your method of supporting trusses or individual tomatoes? Any ideas as to why mine might be weaker this year?

That’s strange ... no idea.
- Joyce

[jtjmartin]

I lean and lower my tomatoes so I’ll usually run a line from the support string and use a plant clip to hold some of the weight.

I am always surprised at how much weight and twisting the stems can take.

[Barb_FL]

I grow in cages and use lots of the foam wire to support the branch to the cage and the main stem when it is small to a bamboo stick.

I have finally learned that I need to support my cages and use T-Posts. With all the wind I get, the only cages that fell over were the 2 that didn't have a T-Post. Next season, no T-Post, no plant.

Even the cages with the 18" legs were swaying with some of the wind. Now, with the aide of the T-Post, my cages suddenly got longer as I don't need to bury the legs anymore.

Barb - I’m not familiar with T-posts. Pictures?

[730dcm]

t post is the green farm stakes if you look down from the very top it look like a T...

[zipcode]

I pass some cloth strip under the middle of the truss and tie at the base of an upper leaf. Works fine also after the truss has kinked, to prevent it from getting worse, you have to slowly lift it up and tie. Happens here every year on first trusses especially, the main difference seems to be that they are longer than later trusses which tend to be closer to the stem. There are also some special plastic support things commercial growers use, not sure how they are called.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by PlainJane

Barb - I’m not familiar with T-posts. Pictures?

A T post is the metal post they use to put up fences.
If you look at a sectional picture it will look like a T.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...CXvx7CqsoNPHyv

Ah ... thanks.

[Barb_FL]

I have 4 of the original ones, but have been buying these b/c they hold up to the rust much better.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...56EB/205960884

I attach the cage to it with a couple of zip ties. Most of my cages I put up extenders and attach the extender to the cage with zip ties too. The ones I did later in the year, I didn't even put the cage feet into the ground which effectively makes my cages longer.

on some of the smaller square ones, I even suspended the cage up a foot or so; I don't need a cage for the container.

I can take pics tomorrow if you are interested. I would do it now, but it is storming.

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

I have 4 of the original ones, but have been buying these b/c they hold up to the rust much better.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...56EB/205960884

I attach the cage to it with a couple of zip ties. Most of my cages I put up extenders and attach the extender to the cage with zip ties too. The ones I did later in the year, I didn't even put the cage feet into the ground which effectively makes my cages longer.

on some of the smaller square ones, I even suspended the cage up a foot or so; I don't need a cage for the container.

I can take pics tomorrow if you are interested. I would do it now, but it is storming.

Sure, would love to see how your cages look!

[AlittleSalt]

I would like to see how yours look too.

I put these up yesterday. I used two T posts per cage because the cages don't touch the ground.

[Rockporter]

Hi guys and gals, I just came in to let you know what I just did to support my tomato plants to my arbor/grid. I decided to try using those yelllow fruit bags I bought to use for watermelon supports and found them to be too small for that. Anyway, I don't have pictures of what I did but here is a link to the items I am using so you can understand how it works better.




Okay, see those clips there in a pile? You attach one to each end to close the bag with say a piece of string or zip tie. I wrapped it loosely (enough room to grow) around the stem and the support structure. I put one clip through the other and secured the clips with a reusable zip tie.


I figure this setup will last a while, although the bags are not UV resistant and will eventually fail but they are good for at least two seasons (1 in my south texas humid area). I know they work great for my cantaloupes on the trellis.


https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Ling...sr=1-1-catcorr




I buy all my reuseable zip ties here. They have UV protected ones.



https://www.cabletiesandmore.com/sea...seable+zip+tie

[jtjmartin]

Very good idea! Added to my list.