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supporting growing tomatoes in a greenhouse

LilyleekLilyleek Posts: 11
in Fruit & veg
hello all
last year, was my first with a greenhouse. It is 6ftx8ft
It stands on a concrete base and I used Quadgrows for tomatoes as it maintains the hydration of the plants.
I wasnt expecting such a bumper crop, the plants grew really high and were much taller than the ridge I had lengths of dowling across the length of the greenhouse to tie the string on to which I trained the cordons . It was the wrong choice as the weight of the plants and fruit made the dowling bow and I didnt know how to support the fruits.
Can anyone suggest a better method please and how to fix it to the greenhouse?
Many thanks
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Posts

  • PlashingPlashing Posts: 328
    You could Buy some  brackets to fit to near the top of the greenhouse and tie a length of wire and when you plant the tomatoes insert a length of string and tie it to the top of the wire then when the tomato starts to grow the roots will grow around the inserted  string,  then you can wind the tomato around the string I have had a lot of success with that method 
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Is it a metal or wooden greenhouse? If metal you can get little brackets &split rings which will lock into the channels of the frame. I use the quadgrow system, and use a stout bamboo cane in the pot, then strong string up to the brackets described. Look at Two Wests  website under greenhouse accessories,  I expect there are other stockists but I find them very good for this sort of thing.
    AB Still learning

  • LilyleekLilyleek Posts: 11
    Thankyou both, I will certainly try your methods, particularly the stout cane in the pot as well as string....but what do I do with the plant and fruit that grows beyond the top of the string? Last year I had string going in all directions at the top of the metal greenhouse to try and support it.....It looked a real mess!!! Maybe I should chop it off when it get that tall?
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Yes, best to remove the growing tips after 5 fruiting trusses have formed, or they reach the eaves.  Keep removing side shoots throughout the season, as those can quickly get out of hand. :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I have bought mulching caps for my Quadgrow. For me the big benefit is not their capacity for water retention but rather they have a hole to support garden canes, one at the back of each pot and one at the front.

    I tie the main stem to the back cane and leg a second stem grow up the front cane.




    Rutland, England
  • TheVanguardTheVanguard Posts: 136
    I used some of steel, tomato spiral supports on my quad grows last year
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I use canes, but I now plant directly into the border rather than using pots. It allows me to have taller plants and more fruit. Either way, I find it the easiest, and simplest method. 
    However, it's also important to do as @BobTheGardener says - nip the tops out when there's around five or six main trusses, as they can easily keep on growing and creating a jungle. Side shoots too if the variety demands that.  :)
    Good luck with them this year though - lovely to have some home grown toms.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LilyleekLilyleek Posts: 11
    BenCotto said:
    I have bought mulching caps for my Quadgrow. For me the big benefit is not their capacity for water retention but rather they have a hole to support garden canes, one at the back of each pot and one at the front.

    I tie the main stem to the back cane and leg a second stem grow up the front cane.




    I used the mulch caps last year, but for the water retention, I think I’ll invest in some good canes this year and use them in the mulch cap for support. Thanks so much for the photo, it is much easier to understand with visual aids.
  • LilyleekLilyleek Posts: 11
    Fairygirl said:
    I use canes, but I now plant directly into the border rather than using pots. It allows me to have taller plants and more fruit. Either way, I find it the easiest, and simplest method. 
    However, it's also important to do as @BobTheGardener says - nip the tops out when there's around five or six main trusses, as they can easily keep on growing and creating a jungle. Side shoots too if the variety demands that.  :)
    Good luck with them this year though - lovely to have some home grown toms.
    Yes I think I need to be more ruthless , quality over quantity!!
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    As @Allotment Boy said you can get rings that slot into the greenhouse frame, if it is aluminium, which I have used to support tall plants, like cucumbers, to climb to the apex of the roof. Depends on where your fifth/sixth truss is as to how high your plant needs to be.😁 We are all hoping for a good growing season this year @Lilyleek
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