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Kansas City, MO

My patch is off to a bit of a slow start with this weather we have been having, but things are looking a little better. I was wondering about leafs stems snapping in the wind. I've had a couple break, even two off one plant, but the plants seem to be doing alright outside of that.

What is the best way to support the leafs while the plants are still very small? Will this be a problem for the one that has lost it's first and second leaf due to wind?

5/25/2016 12:25:15 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

1) if the stalk is still connected you can use a zip tie and a bamboo stake to prop it back up (tie above the break), and many times those leaves will last till fall or at least till you get more plant. Wind damage is a common occurrence here in Mo. In 2011 I had at least 30 leaves staked on a plant. That was the year of bad tornados in Mo, and many other residual storms.

2) I also use stakes to keep the plant secure till well rooted at nodes while vining. It also helps to set up wind breaks in the beginning. Many people use wind fences all year. I grow next to woods and a thick understory does okay with breaking the wind here. I simply set a heavy lawn chair on it's side which formed a 90 degree wind break when the plant was 2-3 feet long.

5/25/2016 1:13:57 PM