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Post by jack on Dec 9, 2011 18:08:10 GMT -6
Gidday
Down here amost everybody, well everybody that I know of anyway, grows their tomatoes with a single leader up a stake or suspended string with all the laterals removed.
I have seen that some of you grow taoatoes your tomatoes in cages.
We have a couple grafted plants and I thought I would try one in a cage but don't have a clue about how to do it or how big a cage.
Any suggestions please.
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Post by Rita on Dec 9, 2011 18:42:38 GMT -6
Well usually it depends on what size your tomato plant is  I think my larger cages are 4 feet tall .. smaller ones 3 feet tall .. |
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Dec 9, 2011 21:12:22 GMT -6
 Jack, When I made my cages, I took some concrete reinforcing mesh and cut pieces about 5 feet long. I formed each piece into a circle and wired the two ends together. Since it is now 9:10pm and dark outside, I'll take some pictures 2-morrow and post, to show you how they look. I took a few and cut in half, about 2.5 feet tall, to make pepper cages.
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Post by jack on Dec 10, 2011 1:13:30 GMT -6
Gidday
Bin thinking about trying to make one with 3 foot sheep netting. I suppose I couls put battens in to lift it an extra foot too. What do you think?
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Post by coppice on Dec 10, 2011 12:47:53 GMT -6
When I made my cages, I took some concrete reinforcing mesh and cut pieces about 5 feet long. I formed each piece into a circle and wired the two ends together. Jack, this is probably the fastest a way to 'get there' from here as I know of. If you like flat panels, use a pipe bender to make a square frame of conduit for hog-wire to be wired on. This'll make about a 6 foot by three foot panel, and will need rather substantial stakes to tie in upright position. The nice thing about hog-wire and conduit panels is on their horizontal side they are very reachable from a mobility aide or wheelchair. |
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Dec 10, 2011 20:27:42 GMT -6
Here is the picture I promised you Jack. I took one of both the tomato and pepper cages together. Click on image to enlarge  |
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Post by jack on Dec 11, 2011 0:14:55 GMT -6
Gidday
Brilliant. Can you tell us what the circumference, like how far around?
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Dec 11, 2011 8:04:02 GMT -6
 There are a little less then 5 feet around, since I cut a 5 foot piece of concrete reinforcing wire. The hardest part for me was to connect the ends together. The wire is thick and a little difficult to bend. Once done, they last a long time. The two in the picture are 5 years old.
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Post by jack on Dec 12, 2011 2:47:10 GMT -6
Gidday
Thank you all very much. I will be trying at least one to compare with the single leader way.
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Post by jerseycub on Dec 12, 2011 8:47:29 GMT -6
Gidday Thank you all very much. I will be trying at least one to compare with the single leader way. I have used this system also Jack on Phil's suggestion and it works very well the 4"X4" re-wire is excellent because you can get your hand in easily to pick, and remove suckers. The baskets I use are 5' H and 53" finished. |
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Dec 12, 2011 10:24:14 GMT -6
we have some 5ft. tall, and some 6 ft. tall, all are cut into 5 ft. pieces and formed into the cage.
Some pruning to let light in is needed..but up here with the winds..we have tried many other methods, all, except letting them sprawl on mulch...end in a wind related disaster..
sprawling here in Minnesota..well, we get a lot of wet/cool weather...and disease control is a problem on the ground...
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Dec 12, 2011 17:59:11 GMT -6
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Post by jack on Dec 13, 2011 4:49:15 GMT -6
Gidday
Hey you jokers are great. Thanks for the info.
[/quote]
I have used this system also Jack on Phil's suggestion and it works very well the 4"X4" re-wire is excellent because you can get your hand in easily to pick, and remove suckers. The baskets I use are 5' H and 53" finished. [/quote]
So you still remove some of the sucker, I presume that is what we call laterals, to keep them from becoming too dense.
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Dec 13, 2011 4:53:46 GMT -6
speaking for myself Jack, yes I do..with the protection we get from the winds with the cages, it's worth a little pruning..It's easy..IF..you stay ahead of the suckers, or laterals as you say...I sure wish I could come garden with You Jack for Your grow season, get away from the cold and snow......wouldn't that be fun  |
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Post by jerseycub on Dec 13, 2011 7:34:46 GMT -6
So you still remove some of the sucker, I presume that is what we call laterals, to keep them from becoming too dense.
Yes Jack that is what I am referring to, and if Phil wants to come for a visit I think I might like to share a flight with him. ;D
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Dec 13, 2011 16:08:28 GMT -6
You better get that plane ready, because I would like to visit Jack as well.
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Post by jack on Dec 17, 2011 1:06:49 GMT -6
Gidday
Well all you jokers will certainly be welcomed down here for our summer. But bring a coat too cos we can have temperature fluctuation of up to or over 10 to 15 degrees, C. And we are right smack bang in the centre of the roaring forties so expect wind.
And living on the coast, like I mean about 80 yards from the cliff down to the tide, and at this latitute any time the wind comes off the sea it is cold.
So our climate is sorta like the kitchen taps, hot and cold.
But with you jokers here I will have a chance to learn some new technigues, so please come on under.
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There are a little less then 5 feet around, since I cut a 5 foot piece of concrete reinforcing wire. The hardest part for me was to connect the ends together. The wire is thick and a little difficult to bend. Once done, they last a long time. The two in the picture are 5 years old.
