TRAINING YOUR PLANTS
Plant Supports
As a general rule, plants taller than 24 in. need some
type of support. This is particularly true in a hydroponic
set-up, where roots are grown without soil and in an
environment where they aren’t encouraged to spread
out. Stakes or support collars are often adequate for
plants under 4-ft. high, but once plants grow taller than
that, they need additional bracing. Options for larger
plants include teepees, frames and grow cages.
There are a number of plant support products on the
market, as well as DIY variations that make use of simple
materials like bamboo and chicken wire. Outdoor supports like tomato cages can be modified for growroom use,
and net trellising can be useful, too. Netting is a relatively
inexpensive choice that can accommodate many different crops and growing strategies. It might not provide the
sturdy structure some plants require, though, and may
need additional reinforcement over time. There are also
grow screens that work in tandem with tie-down and other
special plant-training techniques.
When figuring out plant supports, the overall layout of
the growroom should be taken into consideration. Most
experts recommend planning for adequate supports early,
sometimes even during set-up, or at least before plants are
large enough to need reinforcements, to make the most
efficient use of space.
Trellising
Another popular choice is growing plants vertically
using string or wire suspended from a frame installed
below the growroom’s overhead lighting system. This
technique is an effective use of space that can also help
make pruning and other maintenance easier. Vertical
training is popular for vining plants like beans and peas,
or plants that can be trained to imitate the growth habit
of vines, like tomatoes and some peppers. A string trellis
suspended from a strong framework will support a vining
tomato that can weigh up to 40 lb. and grow up to 18 ft.
or more under ideal conditions.
The basic idea is pretty simple. One end of a length of
string or wire is affixed to an overhead bar or beam, and
the other end is secured in a relatively straight line to
the base of the plant or growing container. As the vine
grows, it’s fastened to the string at multiple locations and
supported using ties or clips. The vine is trained along
the vertical string until it reaches the top. This allows for
closer plant spacing and better access to plants for care
and harvesting. It also promotes good airflow and may
increase light penetration over other cultivation methods. Multiple vines can be trellised in manageable rows
using this method, provided the support frame is sturdy
enough to hold them.
88
Maximum Yield USA | November 2015
Netting is a relatively
inexpensive choice that
can accommodate many
different crops and
growing strategies.”