There are many garden plants that have a climbing posture or require support when growing. Among them is the tomato, a vegetable that must be supported to prevent the stem from bending or breaking due to height, wind or the weight of the fruit.
By rotating the gardens, you can find the most varied “architectures” to support these plants : Arrange rows of vertical posts or tangles of reeds related to the beautiful and the best. Beyond aesthetics, the important thing is to provide a solid support so that the stem or the main branches of the plant can stand out.
There are many tomato scaffolding systems, the most convenient way to support tomatoes, but few people know, is the spiral clamp. This idea saves you from having to tie the plant periodically, as it relies on the wraparound shape of the clamp as it rises in height. Let’s take a closer look at how to support tomato plants the right way and why spiraling is such a great idea.
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Binding of tomatoes: traditional supports
The young tomato plant stands on its own, but if it is more than half a meter high, it is necessary to intervene with pliers to help the stem, especially in indeterminate varieties. When the tomato does not have adequate support, it runs the risk of falling to the ground, when the fruit forms, the lack of support becomes even more problematic: the weight can bend the branch until it breaks.
The good grower then prepares a support that allows him at the right time to attach the plant, usually made of bamboo, wood or plastic. Those who have set up one or two rows of seedlings can link the supports together to give more stability to the structure.
After erecting the struts, you must remember to tie the plant as it grows: if you forget to do this periodically, the stem will remain unsupported and may break.
The spiral pliers
The Spiral Clamp is a single pole, but unlike conventional tomato bars it is not linear – it rises to form a spiral. This support is produced by Verdelooke and can be found both online and in various garden centers.
The beauty of its shape is that once the plant has moved towards the center of the spiral, the tomato will grow inside it and always remain supported, without needing to be tied but also in finding adequate freedom so that the support does not impede the formation of the spiral. side branches.
The purchase of the spiral pliers is an investment: it is made of galvanized metal and therefore lasts a long time without fear of rust, it can be used for several years in the garden.