Bama Mater,
The only thing we use is weave. It's just a matter of support. (to t-bar or not to t-bar) We have close 10,000 -15,000 plants plus or minus any year. To cage them would be insane...
We don't prune either - we only grow indeterminate heirloom in the field and have begun trialling dwarfs in. When was I was a "gardener" with several hundred plants - I used caging, individual staking etc. It's just not possible with the quantity we have now.
Anyway, it's not hard using the weave or finding the main stem.
Geez, I mean heirlooms are so worth the effort aren't they? I can't use caging or let them wander on the ground.
Simply, I'm just trying to find a cheaper way to get sturdier stakes but am resigned to gradually swapping out the wood for t-bar.
It's do-able and manageable - 'cause I do it year after year!
Anyway, thanks for all the ideas...weave has been the way to go for me.
|