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sevierville, Tn

Whats your best/favorite way of supporting the fruit? I know the fruit needs extra support, so do we do this on the stem, or the fruit its self? or both? What material works best to avoid damage? Thanks so much.

7/1/2014 12:56:54 PM

Allentown, PA

I use two different things for two different support needs.

First I support the tomatoes stem by cutting long strips from a plastic grocery bag. I take the strip and slip it under the tomato and back onto the stem. I then take both sides of the strip and tie it to the main stem of the plant and or the main support for the plant itself.

The support I use for the tomato itself are my old tights or hose. I don't expect you or the other guys to necessarily have old panty hose laying around but I'm not going to judge you if you do. LOL!!! Your wife, sister,girlfriend, etc most likely will have something for you.
I take the old pair of hose or tights and cut the legs out of them then use the leg portion as a hammock to support the growing tomato. The fabric is stretchy and can be pulled out in order to hold the entire base of the tomato.

For a more detailed look go to my 2013 diary and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I use these two things together in order to ensure that my tomatoes are well supported.

I hope that helps you! :O)

7/1/2014 4:47:33 PM

sevierville, Tn

Thanks Julia, thats a big help. I should have thought to look in your diary !

7/1/2014 7:25:01 PM

Allentown, PA

Your very welcome. :O)

7/1/2014 9:33:07 PM

Muddy Waters

Chris has lots of panty hose from what I hear.lol

Try the double barrel sling shots I hear they work good also.You can find them in the Victoria Secret catalog.

7/2/2014 6:57:45 AM

Muddy Waters

Heres a shortcut to your Diary

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=204904

So its okay to do this?I thought it might cause them to rot in rainy weather??

7/2/2014 7:08:20 AM

Central Minnesota

Every time I have a Tomato question, Chris asks it first. This is working perfect. Keep asking questions Chris, you must be about two weeks ahead of me. Panty Hose...LOL....would not have thought of that...nor do I have any...really!

7/2/2014 9:59:38 AM

Allentown, PA

Bubba,

That's the perfect photo to have given the address to. That shows what was to become my 4.03 Diehl (Mega Marv)

Those are a pair of my old winter tights that are a little heavier than normal pantyhose. Normal panty hose works very well and will easily last a couple of seasons even in high humidity environments with rain.

As far as you not having panty hose MNFisher That's quite alright. Go buy some. Seriously!! :O)

7/2/2014 11:08:44 AM

sevierville, Tn

Scott, i am just getting mine set now. biggest one is egg size and the rest are smaller. i'm still looking for that super duper mega fused blossem like i see in others diary's like Julia's :) !

7/2/2014 5:35:40 PM

Allentown, PA

I have faith that you guys will have some really nice heavyweights when this season is all said and done.

I know you put in the work like I do.

7/2/2014 6:42:24 PM

Corbin, KY

I like to use surveyor ribbon or tape. I use cages so I use a wooden strip to lay across the wire of the cage and tie the mega maters to the the wooden slat. If I think I need more support I use netting to hold them up. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=207319
I have several hog maters going as well.

7/3/2014 11:07:28 AM

Hamilton Nj

well if anyone needs a huge pair of hose im currently stretching mine out for the new state record in jersey,lol,u r welcome to borrow them, after this rain stops im doing another shot of dunkels !!! good luck everyone!!! pizza

7/4/2014 12:16:52 PM

Allentown, PA

Pizza, if you have hosery then God love ya buddy!! :O)

7/4/2014 3:30:39 PM