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South Dakota

At what point/size does a person need to get some type of support for the tomato? I have seen the hammock/sling method, and also seen a few that just tie a cord on the stem of the tomato and tie from above. Do both methods work OK, or is one system better than the other? Never had one get big enough to have to worry about this before, so I must be getting a little better.

8/3/2022 9:07:00 PM

Walla Walla Wa.

I use a sling,I feel that its asking for trouble to hang a 10 lb. tomato just by it's stem,that being said my 10.8 didn't set any support until 8+ lbs,I think that with the sling method you may incur a higher possibility of rot or bugs getting between the sling and the tomato and its really hard to know exactly what's going on on the bottom of the tomato when its covered by a sling,so as I see it there's pro/cons either way.

8/3/2022 9:17:40 PM

Central NY

Before the wind catches that sucker and sends it flying.

8/3/2022 11:11:54 PM

Colorado

I put mine in a sling early just to be safe. 15-18" or around 1.5-2 lbs.

8/3/2022 11:23:06 PM

Colorado

If you grow the plants as good as dan does and have tree trunks for stems you can wait till 8 lbs to support it. :)

8/3/2022 11:25:24 PM

Grittyville, WA

A cloth strip might be better than a cord... the narrower the cord the more likely the vine will crimp at the spot its being held. I wonder if some bird netting or something similar could give good support but also good visibility...? Proceed with caution...

8/4/2022 10:27:44 AM

Bloomington, IN USA

I use a hammock constructed from paint strainer bags that my wife reinforces the edges with her sewing skills, thanks, Honey! I try to support them when they reach a circ of 15” but I look at the pedicle and if it is huge & not at risk of kinking I will let it go longer.

8/9/2022 8:09:55 AM