Anyone use inverted tomato cages?

[Stoner Bob]

The last few days the evenings were getting pretty windy, I figured that I would get some support for the plant so that it doesn't snap one evening.

I went to OSH and found these inverted tomato cages, they're about 54" tall total, the plant is 3' right now. In these smart pots it seems to offer more support than the bamboo steak I was going to use. I still may use the bamboo stakes if I need support in the width.


Do these look like they will be good for growing?

I'm wondering what will happen if I have a branch under a wire, and the plant trunk grows raising that branch and snapping it, especially near the top where it's narrower. or will it be like a form of Low stress training? it seems that as the trung grows there will be a short distance of the branch going down under the support level, then the majority of the branch will grow up after the support. would that be hi-stress?

these things weren't cheap either, almost $20 each but they feel pretty sturdy in the pots.

 

[Payaso]

Tomato cages are the best solution since... I don't know what.

Been proppin' floppy sours for years with them.

Proppin' floppy plants of all kinds!

Gotta love them cages... I nearly had a problem in KMart the other day. Some woman was trying to buy ALL the tomato cages... but missed a stack in the back corner. As I was dragging them to the cash register she tried to tell me that she had them reserved, she hid them back there - and went on to tell me I had a hell of a nerve 'stealing' her tomato cages.

Well... the cashier thought that was too funny! So did I! So I bought the cages and went on my way... hope the b*&^%$ didn't follow me home

But no... I elude all followers.

 

[Stoner Bob]

haha. funny story about the lady...


When I brought these cages to the counter, a lady in line said " wow those must be some big tomatoes you're growing". I just said. " tomatoes... yeah, I hope they get big..."


Most tomato cages I see people use seem like the opening gets wider at the top, where these get a little narrower. also they're 44" not 54 like I mentioned previously.

 

[Payaso]

Yes, I have those too... both work great! I hated using bamboo poles and other items for propping... always moving around and falling over etc. Much more efficient use of my time and resources.

 

[MajLeeStoned]

Great start but a little pricy and hopefully soon to be outgrown. Consider a 48"x84" sheet of "Remesh" Rebar screen for $8 a sheet at Lowes or Home Depot. Put them on their side and tie the ends to form a cheap cage over 2' in diameter and 3.5' high with the 6" tines in the ground and very sturdy. Here is one from last year also holding up a tent:

 

[Payaso]

Nice! What a great idea to save money!

 

[Stoner Bob]

I also thought these were pricey. the sign that said 8.99 in front of the ones I bought must have been for the tiny cages next to these. I was kinda shocked at the register, but wanted to leave with something for support. I may even take back the other four I have, since my other plants are about a month behind this kush plant

My next trip to home depot, I'll pick up a few of those remesh cages. they sound like the perfect size for my 45 gallon smart pots, i think they are also 84" in circumference. thanks

 

[BOMBAYCAT]

I used some tomato cages when I set the plants out and then I remembered how windy it was last year. I had a 6 foot piece of rebar lying around from some project years ago so I pounded it in also. The trouble is I am growing several varieties and that one grows very very tall. Oh well it seems to work good for now.

 

[DevilWeedSeeds]

I love these things for outdoors. Pretty cheap as well like $1 a piece. I use them to spread the branches out on the plants for more light. You can use the bars around the outside to push them down and out away from the main stem.

 

[Papulz]

2nd recommendation for using 6x6 concrete reinforcing wire.

get a roll @ either 5 foot width or 7 foot width if you need several cages, or buy by the panel for smaller projects.

little cutting and bending and you'll have cages strong enough for you to stand on the rungs of.

If you make a set of cages with this stuff, they'll last the rest of your career.

wont end up with a pile of plastic netting at the end of the year either.

my normal remesh cage size is roughly 48" diameter..sits on top a 200gal smart pot beautifully. I believe they were approx 10 dollars a piece in material cost.