Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A more convenient string support hook is a Reelenz reel of string with
a hook all in one. They come prewound with string making them easier
to work with as you simply unreel the string by pulling on it to lower your
plants. There is no need to lift the plants and unwind some string from
tomahooks to lower the plants.
Begin stringing your plants soon after transplanting to prevent them
from falling over. Attach the strings to the stems of the plants using plastic
vine clips. As the plants grow, fasten more plant clips about 1 foot apart
going up the plant stem.
TRAINING
Tomatoes are trained to a single stem. Support the tomato plant with a vine
clip that attaches to the string with a hinge. Locate vine clips about every
foot up the plant stem. Be sure to place the clips directly under a strong leaf
so that they will not slip down, as shown in Figure 4.2. You can also wrap
the string around the stem occasionally to prevent it from sliding down.
Always wrap the string in the same direction so you do not forget from one
time to the next, which way to go around the stem.
Tomatoes must be trained to a single stem, otherwise they become very
leafy (“vegetative”) and will not produce a lot of fruit. To do that you must
remove all of the side shoots (“suckers”) that form between each leaf and
the stem (Figure 4.3). Do this at an early stage when the suckers are about
1-inch long. Delaying this pruning will permit a lot of nutrients flowing
FIGURE 4.2
Place stem clamps under a strong leaf.
