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Post by durgan on May 22, 2010 16:47:09 GMT -5
www.durgan.org/URL/?HIWAY 21 May 2010 Tomato Ring Support The tomato ring is supported by half inch diameter rebar. Rings can be added as the plant grows, and at first look appears to be the best support that I have encountered, with minimum effort required. A ring was placed on each of the 21 tomato plants. This is the first year using this type of support. I have used all systems over the years, and all had various deficiencies. www.durgan.org/URL/?JMRZU Rings ordered from this site.
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Post by darthslater on May 22, 2010 20:15:51 GMT -5
I am wondering how that would work with a 7 ft plant? And would it be cost efficient for 4000 plus tomatoes? Perhaps that would be a good thing for things such as hybrids, but I dont know how it would fare with real tomatoes.
Darth
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Post by durgan on May 22, 2010 21:57:14 GMT -5
I am wondering how that would work with a 7 ft plant? And would it be cost efficient for 4000 plus tomatoes? Perhaps that would be a good thing for things such as hybrids, but I dont know how it would fare with real tomatoes. Darth Really! Your comment is tasteless and gratuitous. Sort of matches the avatar. Am I to assume that those who grow real tomatoes, produce those tasteless red things sold in all Supermarkets during the Winter months? Durgan. |
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Post by bluelacedredhead on May 23, 2010 6:51:30 GMT -5
Actually Durgan, I believe what Darth is trying to say is, the tomato ring system might work for Determinate tomatoes, but not for Indeterminate plants (such as heirloom varieties).
Darth, can I ask what system you use for 4,000 plants?
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PVP
Tomatophile
head spellerer
Only an Amateur
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Post by PVP on May 23, 2010 7:01:49 GMT -5
I looked at the Tomato Ring ad and have these comments:
1) The ad suggests 3 rings per vine with the bottom two being preset and stationary and the top ring being continually moved up the stake as the vine grows. That contemplates pruning the vine to a single leader, it seems, because otherwise all the side shoots developing from between the middle (stationary) and the top (movable) rings would be totally unsupported.
2) The price of each ring is 2.99 plus shipping. That is cost prohibitive for me even in instances where I wanted to prune staked tomatoes to a single leader.
3) If I wanted to stake tomato vines to a single leader on a single stake (which I have in the past and continue to do for those in containers grown for pollen or seed), I would do so with cloth strips or jute cord for far less than 2.99 per secured point.
Durgan is correct. All methods of supporting tomato vines have their drawbacks. Knowing that, I choose the most economical methods that prove the most practical for me. Those are wire cylinder cages 5 - 7 feet tall, and 4 - 5 foot metal fence posts with lashed on wooden or bamboo extensions and plenty of jute cord.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on May 23, 2010 7:11:19 GMT -5
PV, I'm a reuse, recycle type of gal. I have rebar that has followed me for 25 years. On the farm, I also used tent poles that long outlived the tents. I love the new velcro for tying up plants, but again, it can get expensive. All hail old pantyhose as ties.
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Post by darthslater on May 23, 2010 8:31:02 GMT -5
I am wondering how that would work with a 7 ft plant? And would it be cost efficient for 4000 plus tomatoes? Perhaps that would be a good thing for things such as hybrids, but I dont know how it would fare with real tomatoes. Darth Really! Your comment is tasteless and gratuitous. Sort of matches the avatar. Am I to assume that those who grow real tomatoes, produce those tasteless red things sold in all Supermarkets during the Winter months? Durgan. Well Durgan you strike me as the type of person that reads to much into things and then gets upset about it and I find THAT tasteless. Number 2, I seldom grow that many red tomatoes and never produce in the winter...and to answer your question Blue I use something similar to a weave, three major support poles and wires surrounding the tomato plant at different levels, added as the vines get larger...oh and Durgan....you may like my avatar now. If these rings were feasible I certainly would use them, I am always looking for an easier way. And yes most hybrids dont usually obtain the size of heirlooms, no need to run and get the tape measure there are always some exceptions. |
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jcm05
Administrator
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Post by jcm05 on May 23, 2010 9:34:13 GMT -5
That ring system looks pretty gimmicky to me. What's to stop the vines from sliding down through those cylinders??? Seems to me you're still gonna need to tie the plants to the rings anyway. I'll stick with CRW cages. They are the best support system in my opinion as long as you have room to store them.
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leftylogan
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Post by leftylogan on May 23, 2010 21:19:46 GMT -5
I am wondering how that would work with a 7 ft plant? And would it be cost efficient for 4000 plus tomatoes? Perhaps that would be a good thing for things such as hybrids, but I dont know how it would fare with real tomatoes. Darth Really! Your comment is tasteless and gratuitous. Sort of matches the avatar.Am I to assume that those who grow real tomatoes, produce those tasteless red things sold in all Supermarkets during the Winter months? Durgan. I've always thought Darth has the best avatars. |
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Post by durgan on May 24, 2010 5:10:54 GMT -5
I have a great interest in growing perfect tomatoes. This year the soil is well prepared and the location is ideal. My garden is not for marketing production but quality.
The rings will give the fruit complete access to Sun without restrictions. By adding rings as required, I should be able to support the bearing branch without touching the fruit.
Pruning will be kept to a minimum, since I have doubts about restricting to one stalk. I am of the opinion that foliage is important for the production of quality fruit. I might add that the same view extends to potatoes.
Time will tell, and I will post many pictures of success and failure.
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Post by durgan on May 24, 2010 7:40:25 GMT -5
That ring system looks pretty gimmicky to me. What's to stop the vines from sliding down through those cylinders??? Seems to me you're still gonna need to tie the plants to the rings anyway. I'll stick with CRW cages. They are the best support system in my opinion as long as you have room to store them. The plant is supported on the shoulders of the branches, particularly the load bearing growth. If necessary a string support can be added to the main stem and tied to the rebar. I envision the fruit not being inhibited by a support wire in the wrong place, which is a characteristic of cages, of which I have many quality ones. All my plants are indeterminate. I cut the leader about the 15 of August, since usually the tomatoes finish growth about the end of August, but the seasons the last few years appear to be getting longer, and sometimes growth continues into September. |
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Post by durgan on May 24, 2010 12:50:51 GMT -5
Da proof will be when the tomatoes start producing and get documented.
As to tomato commercial taste, it is non-existent. I seldom buy Supermarket tomatoes and if I do then I fry the dammed things in some butter.
Tomatoes are grown commercially in this area, and they are picked when green. Shelf life is the criteria. (Sort of like those square strawberries from California.)
Many of the vanilla hybrids are fine tasting tomatoes, and often have a attractive shape with few scars.. The best tasting in my opinion are the dark colored tomatoes. (Black Krim, Black from Tula, Black Cherry, etc.)
One tomato that I found is perfect in form is the yellow one called Lemon Boy. Seldom is the tomato deformed, and the vine is amongst the most prolific. One problem, I prefer my tomatoes to be shades of red.
I don't babble, I observe and report what I see, documented with meaningful photographs. QED.
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PVP
Tomatophile
head spellerer
Only an Amateur
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Post by PVP on May 24, 2010 13:02:46 GMT -5
Okay, time to stop the BS.
Durgan, in my opinion, is simply presenting information in the original post that may or may not be of interest to various readers. It's okay to state one's opinion on the product. It's okay to take issue with the effectiveness or economics of the product. It's not okay to get into a spitting contest over nothing.
I like Darth. I respect Darth's ambition and his gumption and what he has built for himself. Same with Durgan's little home garden and nice blog. Let's let it go at that. Enjoy what we have to offer and share and not get into these tit for tat spitting contests.
Peace, PV
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Post by durgan on May 24, 2010 14:14:58 GMT -5
OK!
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