Tomato string?

[zeuspaul]

I am going to try using some string this year. I have two needs.

First I want to drop a string and train a plant upwards. I did a little research and found one recommendation to use a minimum of 1/8 inch (3mm) string. I don't know if that is based on strength or contact size with the stem. Nylon 1/8 inch string is a lot stronger than jute string. Also nylon is more UV resistant than some of the others. However there seems to be varying views on this.

I am leaning towards 1/8 inch cotton because it is biodegradable and soft for stem contact and easy to tie knots with. Jute is also biodegradable but I think cotton may be easier to work with and possibly a little stronger. Cotton is not as strong as nylon but I am hoping it would be strong enough. If it lasts for one season it would probably suit my needs. This would not be a stand alone application. It would be used to extend the height of my plants beyond my cage trellising system which only is 3 feet high in some areas.

Second use is to extend upward my cage trellising system. I removed the concrete reinforcing grid that sandwiched some of my trellises. I found the 6 inch squares to be too restrictive. I now use 1/2 or 3/4 inch electrical conduit to span the t posts spaced about 12 inches vertically on either side of the cage. I don't have enough of them so I want to try string for some of the spans. The tomato plants would lay over the string as they grow taller up the sides of the cage. This string might be similar to what would be used in a Florida Weave system. However I haven't found any Florida Weave string recommendations.

I am guessing 1/8 inch cotton might not be strong enough for this application. I think 1/8 nylon might be better. I wonder if string might dig into the stem as the plant hangs with a few tomatoes on it?

Thoughts?

[mikestuff49]

I use nylon string and tomato clips. Works well for me.

TomatoClip_.jpg

The clips are available in different colors and sizes. I use terra cota.

[Setec Astronomy]

Does the string get clamped in the hinge on that? What keeps if from just sliding down? I've seen these before, I just notice in your pictures there's no string and it looks like nothing to keep them from sliding.

[FarmerShawn]

I have used a lightweight baling twine before, but it's a little too thick for the clips. Now I use tomato string from Johnny's (and others...) which I think is nylon. You can cut down on clips by twirling the growing tip around the twine, but some clips are still needed as tomatoes gain weight, to keep the whole thing from slipping down to the ground. And yes, the string is clamped in the hinge to keep it in place. I prune to two stems, so two strings per plant.

[zeuspaul]

@FarmerShawn do you use the string for one season? or a few seasons? The twine I see at Johnny's is polypropylene and they are not taking orders. They recommend that twine because other string may be too large. Do you know the approximated diameter of the string mm? Inches? Their clips also don't have a spec for string diameter.

I ordered 100 similar terracotta clips from Amazon which may not be enough. How many clips would I need for a five foot tall plant if I combine with the twirling method? With the clips do you still tie a loop in the string near the base of the plant to get started?

My plan was to use the twirling method but these clips look like they will save me some work. Fifty years ago I worked a summer job as a tomato picker and general laborer for a greenhouse tomato grower in The Netherlands. He used the twirling method.

Thanks @mikestuff49 for the suggestion. Do use nylon string for more than one season? Do you know what size string you use?

I have used a lightweight baling twine before, but it's a little too thick for the clips. Now I use tomato string from Johnny's (and others...) which I think is nylon. You can cut down on clips by twirling the growing tip around the twine, but some clips are still needed as tomatoes gain weight, to keep the whole thing from slipping down to the ground. And yes, the string is clamped in the hinge to keep it in place. I prune to two stems, so two strings per plant.

[FarmerShawn]

Yup, the polypropylene trine is what I use. Now I use it on their hooks for lower and lean. I know they are closed now, but should reopen later this month. All the major seed places are in this situation.
I used to run a piece of baling twine across the ground along the plant row, and clip the string and plant to that to keep it in place, but now I'm too lazy to do that, and just let gravity do its thing.

[ quote=zeuspaul post_id=16974 time=1586657696 user_id=388]
@FarmerShawn do you use the string for one season? or a few seasons? The twine I see at Johnny's is polypropylene and they are not taking orders. They recommend that twine because other string may be too large. Do you know the approximated diameter of the string mm? Inches? Their clips also don't have a spec for string diameter.

I ordered 100 similar terracotta clips from Amazon which may not be enough. How many clips would I need for a five foot tall plant if I combine with the twirling method? With the clips do you still tie a loop in the string near the base of the plant to get started?

My plan was to use the twirling method but these clips look like they will save me some work. Fifty years ago I worked a summer job as a tomato picker and general laborer for a greenhouse tomato grower in The Netherlands. He used the twirling method.

Thanks @mikestuff49 for the suggestion. Do use nylon string for more than one season? Do you know what size string you use?

I have used a lightweight baling twine before, but it's a little too thick for the clips. Now I use tomato string from Johnny's (and others...) which I think is nylon. You can cut down on clips by twirling the growing tip around the twine, but some clips are still needed as tomatoes gain weight, to keep the whole thing from slipping down to the ground. And yes, the string is clamped in the hinge to keep it in place. I prune to two stems, so two strings per plant.

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[Clkeiper]

Does the string get clamped in the hinge on that? What keeps if from just sliding down? I've seen these before, I just notice in your pictures there's no string and it looks like nothing to keep them from sliding.

yes, as you close the clip you make sure it is against the string and it clamps in the "hinge" where it will NOT move. I bought a "spool" of nylon twine several years ago and it appears it will last me a long time. this year I burned the few clips and string along with all the tomato trash instead of unclipping them. some of these clips are single season use and they start to deteriorate in the uv light. so, you will want to toss them instead of trying to keep them from one season to the next.

[mikestuff49]

I use mason's braided nylon. It works well with the clips. You would need to pay attention to what the break strength of the line is. I would think that anything over 100 pounds would be more than sufficient. I use an overhead system and "lean and lower" plants as they grow. I've used the same line for a couple of years. It holds up well. The line clips into the hinge and offers good support without damaging the plants.

I don't know if this is the exact product, but it's close:

https://www.amazon.com/T-W-Evans-Cordag ... 93&sr=8-17

[ddsack]

I use jute baling twine and mostly use the weaving method. Sometimes I have to add extra string during the season for wayward shoots. I like being able to cut the whole mass down at the end of the season and compost it all. Most of my maters are grown twining through stock fence panels, but I still have a few rows that are suspended by twine from a long 2"x4" crosspiece. I have a shorter season than most, so I don't need to lean and lower, my flopping tops don't get overly long.

[bower]

I have used all kinds and weights of rope in my greenhouse with the 'twirling' method but after seeing what happens when synthetic ropes start to deteriorate I will be switching to jute if or when I can get some. The whole job of cleaning and reusing is a big one anyway, but when you see the ends turning to microplastic powder - I don't want to breathe that in. I was happy to have something to clean and reuse, but now I think it's better for my environment to just compost the jute along with the plants.
My friend always uses jute at her farm and it gets cut down with the plant waste and composted. We don't use clips there at all, just train the plants up the twine as they grow. At first I thought, it is a bit rough for the plants. In fact they don't seem to mind it at all. I have seen the jute break a few times under a loaded plant, but what she had is way thinner than 3mm I think. Closer to 2mm (with occasional blobs of joins that are bigger). It's worthwhile to put another line up if you're allowing extra leaders, to support the weight. I also used the same stuff to 'Florida weave' the rows in the summer I managed her plants. That gave them extra support and kept a clear space to walk between them. I did not see any broken or fallen tomato clusters using that method, but in my own greenhouse I do give clusters extra support by tying up with any kind of light twine or rope. Jute would do that for me too.
I'm not sure about cotton string, my impression is that it has too much stretch to be a good support for tomato plant weight.

[sBox]

I have had problems with mason line digging into the tomato stems. Now I use this poly baling twine. I like that it has extra UV protection and doesn't rot. At this size, the diameter and texture holds tomato clips. I don't know if anything with a higher rating will fit in clips.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produ ... _vc=-10005