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Tomato Cages

M

middie5

I just recently transplanted three plants into larger pots after I had purchased them from a local farmers market.  Two of the plants are leaning, one a lot more than the other.  I was thinking about placing tomato cages around all three just to be safe, and was curious if it would cause any issues in the future when I replant to a larger pot as far as hurting the plant or roots when I dig them out.
 
  
 
kentishman said:
How tall are the plants? If they are less than, say, 3 ft, I'd stake them with a green plastic stake for now.
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I'd have to agree with this.  Especially for superhot varieties that grow a thick main stem.  I do, however, prefer small conical tomato cages for annuum varieties, like poblano.
 
Why are you transplanting them so many times? We put them in the ground once they are 8" tall and immediately put the cages on them. They grow up through the cage and once in awhile you have to help a branch get over a rung. My neighbor has #4 re-bar about 8 feet tall painted red. as they grow, he winds the main stem around it and secures it with panty hose. They grow at least 6 feet tall every year and it makes for VERY easy picking.
 
Yes I use a tomato cage on every pepper I plant....99 cents for a basket is nothing after spending 3 months raising plants......great protection from plants being blown over from these flash thunderstorms and hurricane style winds....ask me how I know this.
 
I put two by fours in the ground and attach welded wire fence between them.  As they grow, I weave the branches in and out the fence material.  Works great, easy access.
 
Thanks for the responses.  Unfortunately I do not have the room in my yard to plant them directly in the ground, so I had to transplant them from the small pots they had come in.  I am new to growing peppers and had read to slowly step up the size of the pots you had them in.  Is this step unnecessary or harmful?
 
Scoville DeVille said:
 
I don't think so but they can be touchy and go into shock. Just be careful.
 
And maybe think about moving your house for more yard space dammit!!! :lol:
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I had planned to increase pot size from the 3 gallon pots they are in now to 5 gallon pots in a month, that way they have time to recover from the transfer.  Would you recommend leaving them in the 3 gallon pots for the season, going ahead and transplanting to 5 gallon tomorrow and leaving them there, or wait a month and then increase the pot size to 5 gallons?  Any input is appreciated, also I apologize for all the questions but it seems like some of the information I had read was incorrect and I just want to make sure I get it setup right.
 
In response to moving my house for more yard space, I wish I could.  I am currently on the lookout for a new place and am going to make sure I have plenty of room for planting.
 
I am definitely not the best grower here but my school of thought is to not mess with them more than necessary. The sooner you can get them hardened off and in their forever home, the better. I would opt for the 5 gallon but you could probably leave them in the 3 gallon for sure. I saw a picture someone posted on here a long time ago of a "forgotten plant", evidently it was behind a bunch of other plants and I kid you not, it was a 4 foot plant growing out of a sour cream container. Probably the healthiest plant I've ever seen too.
 
It just goes to show that there are no real "rules". If a plant wants to grow, it will!
 
hot stuff said:
Where do you find .99 tomato cages?
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Just about anywhere.....last time it was Canadian Tire.
 
I use a single bamboo in the center and weave a long, single nylon string around. Totally adjustable. 
 
I'm posting links because they are pics of cannabis. I wouldn't want to offend anyone :)
 
Photobucket links:
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah85/177rgg/IMG_3860_zpsg3lhdcfg.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah85/177rgg/IMG_3858_zps3ij6zavz.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah85/177rgg/IMG_3859_zpsecqwkbky.jpg
http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah85/177rgg/IMG_3857_zpsoo6rwg88.jpg
 
 
 
 
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Since you need them in bucketsbecause of yard space, have you looked in to using double buckets?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWkg5ttOm5I&spfreload=1
 
In the Bajío in Mejico, where they grow lots of chiles, they let the chiles spread out and the plants are plenty productive
 
willard3 said:
In the Bajío in Mejico, where they grow lots of chiles, they let the chiles spread out and the plants are plenty productive
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That would encourage slugs and snails in my area. I had one type last year that seemed immune to slug damage, Super Chilis.
 
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