A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum The Tomato Forum Tomato cages

I'm a very novice gardner, attempting to grow some tomatoes in containers this year. I'm curious about tomato cages. I know they sell some but are they really necessary? Can I just put a couple stakes in the pot or something? Any other creative ideas for how to stake tomatoes?

thanks!

well yes you could use stakes--i have in the past--BUT be careful how you tie up your plant---to strong a tie can end in snapping off a limb of your plant (I have done this)--

if you are using a container--I have used both sticks and those lightweight circular tomato cages like the discount stores sell--both worked well.--Like I said just take care when tying your limbs.

Are the tomatoes determinate or indeterminate? This will be helpful in deciding how or if to stake them at all.

I'm am planning on using a florida weave technique, instead of staking. I staked one year and winds broke the stake. I have also tried the cages but my indeterminates just pull them over and they land up on the ground anyway.

How strange is this?
Just as an experiment I didn't stake my cherry tomato this year. Just left it completely alone except for tomato food and water.
And wouldn't you know it, it's sprawling everywhere, completely healthy and so loaded with ping pong ball sized tomatoes I can hardly believe it !

All tomatoes need staking, even determinate. For container grown ones the cages work well. For garden grown, something taller and stronger is needed. If you plan on just tying to some stakes you have to prune the suckers so the tomato is one or two stems. And you can use old pantyhose for tying or the velcro ties that are sold or something else with give, but twine is not recommended generally. I use tomato spirals but that is only because I haven't wanted to spend on those nice ladders that are available now.

I've always used cages made of concrete reinforcing wire. It comes in 6' wide rolls, and you can cut it to whatever length you want. Fasten the edges together to make a sturdy cage. If you cut off the bottom ring of wire (in addition to the one that disappeared when you cut to length) you will be able to put it 12" into the ground, and it is not going to be blown over unless you have a really strong storm. And they last for at least 10 years. With tomatoes in containers, you could set the pot on the ground and place the cage around it.

I have L shaped tomato cages made out of heavy wire like metal fence gates.--worksd like a charm---I tie tomatoes to the cage--leaves form shade from the back and toms are easily accessable from the front.

thanks for the info. I ended up buying some of the cheap circular cages from home depot. When you tie the branches to the cage do you have to keep adjusting the ties as the plant grows? (btw - I have two determine tomatoes and one indetermine)

the only adjustment I have ever made was to tie new growth.

I tie the new growth and usually buy a cheapo stake to help support everything once the plant gets huge. With the sandy soil I have, the cages pull out of the soil and everything topples very easily.