Florida weave support progress

[jcm05]

This is the first time I have used this method of supporting plants in my garden. Stakes are 6½ foot t-posts with nylon masonry string. Plants are really taking off now and now need a third string only two weeks after second was put up. These are all F2 segregates that I am supporting this way. I found that when tying second string that if I tied it too tight it would loosen up the first string a bit. Not sure if this would create a problem going forward. I am using three stakes per row which makes for three plants between stakes. I also stake individual plants as you can see on left in photo. If anyone else uses this method and would like to share or add what works for you that would be welcome.

[peppereater]

I believe that technically the florida weave is running a single string first left-right-left-right to one side of a post, the other side of a plant, then the opposite side of the next, then a string 8 to 12 inches higher alternating opposite the first run...my first attempt was that way and really unsatisfactory. Next attempt I used 2 strings at each level, tied them to each post and tied them on either side of each plant to prevent falling together in line with the strings and each other, still had very unruly plants and had to eventually tie lots of extra strings from branches to the posts and the strings. I think the method was developed for determinate plants and I'd bet they were rigorously suckered and pruned. Heavy fruit load even pulled the posts toward the plants enough to allow some fruit to settle to the ground and some to become exposed to sunscald. I think the method has potential, but I'd be inclined to tie loops at intervals all along the strings in order to add vertical and diagonal tying with short lengths of string to tighten sags and to tie back to posts wherever it's practical. I also worried about abrasion and possible severing of stems from the string and so used cotton clothesline cord and whatever inexpensive polyester or other cord which was softer and thicker than string. Don't know if that was nescessary or not as any spots that did abrade scarred over and formed thick callous tissue as fast as any damage could occur. I'll be trying to individually stake as many plants as possible, and use field fence and cattle panels anytime I can get my hands on cheap or free materials. It seems like grunt has some detailed pics of his "weave" method on his blog, if not, maybe he'd post some pics here?

[surf4grrl]

Not the Florida weave, sorry - but close. The idea is to create a figure 8 with the string and the posts. Otherwise, the plants slide together within the string.

I was able to twine about 1,000 plants today as I had help with some staking while I doing that. Hope I can post pics tomorrow, didn't get the chance to snap any pics today.

I'm using untreated wooden stakes, sometimes twining 2-3 plants in between. I can;t make a full transition to t-posts - at $5 a pop - it's in the five figure range for me.

Here's a good visual with resource

www.foogod.com/~torquill/barefoot/weave.html

I'dre-do the whole thing with tomato twine and the weave - not masonry string - it stretches when wet.

[jcm05]

Thanks guys. The diagrams at that link you posted surf is exactly what I did. What is tomato twine? I bought the nylon masonry string because in my experience with it for other purposes, it doesn't stretch.

[surf4grrl]

No JT, your loop is one continous "o" loop from pole to pole, it never turns into the figure eight at all. I can't see it crossing in between the tomatoes. The string should look like an 8, not a 0.

Masonry string does stretch and is too flimsy. Tomato twine comes in box - google it, I'm sure you can get it online.

[surf4grrl]

DOH, the overhead diagram is not correct on that link. The string crosses in between the two tomato plants - if you do it the way you have it, the plants slide into each other, trust me.

On second thought, maybe that is the way folks do it - I found passing in between the plants is a heck of alot easier. That's the way I was taught...

[peppereater]

surf4, do you find that fairly close spacing of plants in the row helps keep them from falling together? If so, what spacing do you like? Also, do you use extra ties as the plants bush out and then develop fruit, and/or to help keep the stakes from being pulled sideways? Do you prune the plants?
jt...I wonder if you could use cages for every fourth plant in some rows and tie to them as you would t-posts, as a way to save buying as many posts.

[jcm05]

Surf, the figure 8 definitely makes sense in keeping the plants from leaning. I am noticing that exact thing now as the plants are getting taller.

[swampr]

it's my experience that a double string is only necessary on the lowest string, but i use longer stakes: 8 ft.

Also I looped the double string so that both sides of the loop exit on the same side of the stake so the strings are closer.

and I dont have problems with nylon stretching, but my trellises are only 24 ft long. i can see that surf's trellises are very long.

[grunt]

I use baler twine for everything, and never have any trouble with chafing = the plants heal as fast as they get chafed = and the baler twine does not stretch. It doesn't seem to matter which thickness of twine you use, so buy the thinner stuff = because it is all made of petroleum product, you get more feet per dollar for thinner twine. The stuff is strong enough that you will hurt your hands before you break it. Doing the weave, do the figure 8 around each plant as Surf says.
This is what I have been doing, and it works well for me, but I am modifying some of my procedures this year, and will try a combination with Florida Weave in some areas, and do straight Florida Weave in others, as I have removed the posts where I re-positioned some beds. Photos to follow, when I get the first set of lines up (late start this year).

[jcm05]

I don't weed paths. Just put up my 4th string today.

[jcm05]

Progress from 6/24 to today 7/6

[DiggingDogFarm]

Looks good!

I wish I was that organized!!!

~Dig ;D