|
| I recently posted about a big boy tomato plant I transplanted (and apparently went through some shock). The cage, I think, will very soon be too short for the plant, so I have another cage on hand (one of those cone shaped wire ones)...however, how can I add this to my container without damaging the plant? It was very, very difficult to put the one it has now (def. ripped a few leaves), and I can only see the cone shaped one being even more difficult without adding significant trauma. Or, would it be easier to stake (which I don't know how to do)? The pic is the same one I posted recently, just for u guys to get an idea. Thank you so much! Really hoping my first tomato plant will survive!!! |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by cold_weather_is_evil Tucson 9a/b desert (My Page) on Tue, May 27, 14 at 23:23
| Put a pillow case on it. Wrap it with string or scotch tape if necessary. Rotate the cage when removing and/or lowering it. E-Z-P-Z! What? It works! |
|
| If I wanted to stake it, would I just end up damaging the roots? |
|
| Why not build a cage around the container instead or sticking one on top of it? I made mine out of some garden stakes, bamboo sticks and tree branches fastened with some plastic zip ties. See photo. Pound the stakes a foot into the ground or tie the cage up to something permanent (a fence?) for support. The wire cages are pretty worthless for tomatoes. Too short, too light and too unstable. If the plant grows big enough and gets heavy with fruit the plant just gonna fall over with the cage and likely break some branches when the wind blows on it. Tried those last year and had these problems. If the container itself is small and light, then stability will especially be an issue. |
This post was edited by DHLCAL on Wed, May 28, 14 at 0:16
|
| DHLCAL has a good recommendation. I have one too , but a bit TOO LATE. Here is what I did: (But mine is a DET) |
|
| DHLCal, I have no ground on my actual patio that I could dig four stakes in. If I were to get a single stake for the plant, will I damage the roots? Or is some minimal damage ok and expected? |
|
| Staking is normally done at the time of planting (be it in ground or in container) If done much later you would be running a risk of injuring some of the roots. With single stake, which should be at the center, the chances of injury is much greater than installing 3 stakes next to the wall of container. Also, a single stake at 10" DEPTH is not going to be stable. |
|
| I wonder if a pot-in-pot setup would be useful here. Get a bigger pot. Fill it with a few inches of potting mix first. Put this pot in. Drive 3 stakes into the space between the pots and fill in the rest with potting mix. How big is this pot anyway? Alternatively, if you can't drive stakes into the ground, and you don't mind building stuff, you can put together a cage with whatever material that can stand on its own. Someone here shared a design for a pvc tomato cage, for example: |
Here is a link that might be useful: Pvc cage.
|
| If you want to use the cage you already have, i think you could just stick it in now - won't cause too much root damage i don't think. and i would just leave the other one there. however, i agree that you may need more than that down the road - and a single stake inside that pot may not be very stable. the pot-in-a-pot idea might be the cheapest solution - if you can get a big cheap plastic pot. another forum member just built a trellis on a patio - see link below - |
Here is a link that might be useful: johns trellis
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Growing Tomatoes Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here
