Tomato plants that are tied to structures are generally healthier and the fruit is easier to harvest. Those left free to develop, on the other hand, grow along the ground, can become tangled, become more susceptible to diseases and their fruits can rot; furthermore, if there is not adequate support, the weight of the tomatoes can break the branches. Know that there are hundreds of tomato plant varieties - the appropriate method of caring for them depends on the type you have.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Picking the Right Time
Step 1. You need to tie up the plants when they are about 15-25cm tall
It is best to proceed before they start drooping from weight, because as soon as the leaves come into contact with the ground they can get disease.
- Foliage or fruit touching the ground can transfer disease to the plant.
- By tying up the plants, the fruits will be cleaner and easier to harvest.
Step 2. Look for new growths
Observe the plants every day and check when the first buds appear; also check that the branches are not sagging and pay attention to those that stray too far from the main trellis, pole or cage.
Step 3. Plan to tie the branches throughout the growing season
You must often take care to tie both the plants of the determined variety and those of the indeterminate variety, although the latter require more attention.
- Those with indeterminate growth continue to produce branches and foliage until the first frosts kill them.
- Those with fixed growth have a shorter production period and do not need to be tied after the first harvest.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Material
Step 1. Choose a fabric
Cut or tear an old shirt or tights. Alternatively, you can use pieces of sheets or socks; create strips of different lengths.
- The fabric is soft, elastic and expands according to the development of the plant.
- At the end of the growing season, be sure to properly recover and dispose of all the fabric you used; depending on the type of material you have chosen, the fabric could take anywhere from one to tens of years to completely decompose.
Step 2. Use string or twine
You can choose nylon string or gardening twine; both are water resistant materials, but only some types of twine are biodegradable.
- Hemp, cotton or agave ropes are biodegradable, as long as they have not been treated.
- You need to recover the nylon at the end of the season, as it takes decades for it to decompose.
- Avoid using fishing line, as it could cut plants and damage them, as well as pose a threat to wildlife if you forget to remove them at the end of the season.
Step 3. Use the ribbon
You can purchase Velcro or other types of self-adhesive gardening tapes. The gardening tape allows you to tie the whole plant in one go. Unless it is clearly stated on the package that it is a "compostable" material, the tape is unlikely to be biodegradable.
Step 4. Use zip ties
Buy foam rubber or plastic ones specifically for gardening; it is a cheap material but not biodegradable, so you have to recover it at the end of the growth phase of the plants. Another disadvantage of clamps is that they do not have the ability to expand and can therefore "choke" the plants when they are over-tightened or when the tomato stems get very large.
The foam strips are padded and prevent or make less likely the risk of cutting plants
Part 3 of 3: Tying the Plants
Step 1. Tie the young plants to a stake
Insert a stake into the ground about 30cm deep next to each plant; you can use wood, bamboo or even plastic for this purpose, but you can make supports from waste material if you wish. Create a loose loop around the stem of the plants and tie the lace around the pole.
Take steps to tie the seedlings as soon as you have transplanted them or shortly after
Step 2. Use a roll to tie the whole plant in one go
Take the rope or gardening twine, secure the end to one of the lower branches and, starting from the bottom, wrap the whole plant with the thread of your choice; it ends by making a knot at the upper end of the support structure.
- This method is useful for plants that are over 90cm tall.
- As you wrap the plant, be sure to tie the string to the sturdiest parts of each branch and attach the wire to the metal frame or pole before proceeding upward.
Step 3. Secure the stem
Tie the rope with a double knot around the support structure; find a point on the stem just below a branch and tie a double knot around the stem.
- This precaution prevents the rope from sliding downwards.
- Proceed by arranging the fixing systems every 25-30 cm along the entire plant.
Step 4. Tie the branches individually
Find the lowest and strongest part of the branch that is under the fork of the stem and wrap the rope there with a double knot; then stretch the thread up to the support structure and tie it there too with a double knot.
Proceed with caution and delicacy, you must not make knots too tight or excessively tighten the rope
Step 5. You can also try the pole and weave method
If you have a long row of plants, put a stake in the ground at the ends of the row and one between each plant; then tie the gardening twine to the pole at one end, weave it in front and behind the plants and poles, securing it to each peg you reach. Then repeat in reverse.
Advice
- Remember to tie tomato plants to a pole and / or cage when you plant them or shortly after.
- If you use cages or trellis for tomatoes, there is no need to tie the branches in several places like when you opt for stakes.
Warnings
- Remember that the branches of these plants break easily - always treat them very carefully.
- Do not tie the apical parts of the branches, as they are the ones most prone to breaking.
- Do not tie the plants if the foliage is wet, otherwise you can encourage the onset of some diseases.
