Indeterminate tomatoes, often called vining tomatoes, possess a unique growth habit that requires mechanical support for a successful harvest. Unlike determinate, or bush-type, cousins that reach a set height and ripen fruit quickly, indeterminate plants continue to grow, flower, and produce fruit continuously until frost. This growth pattern results in a long, heavy vine, making a robust support system necessary to manage the plant’s size and weight. Without proper staking or caging, the plant will sprawl, leading to poor fruit quality and increased disease risk.
Understanding Indeterminate Growth
The necessity for support stems from the indeterminate tomato’s perpetual vertical growth, which can easily exceed six to eight feet in a single season. The plant’s primary growing point, or terminal bud, remains active, meaning the stem never terminates its upward trajectory. As the plant accumulates foliage and sets multiple clusters of fruit, the biomass and weight place an unsustainable strain on the main stem.
If the heavy vine collapses onto the soil, it dramatically reduces air circulation around the leaves and fruit. This poor airflow creates an ideal microclimate for fungal diseases, such as early blight. Furthermore, fruit resting directly on the ground is susceptible to rot, pest damage, and sunscald. Providing strong, vertical support redirects the plant’s energy toward developing quality fruit, leading to a cleaner, more productive harvest.
Choosing the Right Support Structure
Selecting the appropriate support structure depends on the space available and the desired level of plant maintenance, particularly pruning. The three most common methods are single staking, heavy-duty caging, and the Florida Weave system.
Single staking involves driving a tall, rigid post, such as a metal T-post or a sturdy wooden stake, next to the plant and training the main vine upward. This method is highly space-efficient and works best when the plant is aggressively pruned to a single main stem. Aggressive pruning allows for very high planting density.
Tomato cages offer a simpler approach that requires less frequent maintenance, especially if minimal pruning is preferred. However, the flimsy wire cages sold at many garden centers are inadequate for a mature indeterminate vine, which can easily crush them. A sturdy cage, made from heavy-gauge wire or welded mesh, should be at least four feet tall and anchored securely to the ground.
The Florida Weave, or basket weave, is an economical and effective system for supporting tomatoes planted in a row. This method utilizes tall, firmly driven end posts with twine woven between the posts and around the plants as they grow. The weave creates a continuous wall of support. This system is advantageous for commercial or large-scale planting, as it uses fewer materials per plant than individual stakes or cages.
Step-by-Step Staking and Tying
The timing of support installation is paramount to avoid damaging the plant’s developing root system. The stake or cage should be installed when the plant is young, ideally between 12 and 18 inches tall, before the roots have spread extensively. For staking, drive the post six to eight inches away from the main stem, inserting it deeply into the soil—at least 12 inches—to ensure stability against wind and crop load.
When securing the stem to the stake, use soft material that will not cut into the plant tissue as the stem girth increases. Strips of soft cloth, specialized horticultural tape, or thick jute twine are better choices than thin wire or hard string.
The most secure and gentle method is the “figure-eight” tie. This involves looping the tie around the stake, twisting it once between the stake and the plant, and then securing it around the stem. This twist creates a soft buffer space, preventing the stem from rubbing against the hard stake and allowing for natural expansion.
The tie should be snug enough to hold the stem upright but loose enough to slide a finger easily between the tie and the stem. This technique prevents the plant from being “girdled,” a condition where restricted stem growth compromises nutrient and water flow.
Essential Maintenance for Supported Plants
Once the initial support is in place, consistent care is required to manage the plant’s continuous growth throughout the season. The primary maintenance task involves checking and adjusting the ties or adding new layers of support to accommodate fresh growth. For staked plants, a new tie should be added every 10 to 12 inches of vertical growth to keep the main stem supported.
Managing the dense foliage is also important, especially when using single staking or other high-density methods. This involves “suckering,” which is the removal of small shoots that emerge in the axil (the joint between a leaf stem and the main stem). Removing suckers redirects the plant’s energy toward the main vine and existing fruit clusters, often resulting in larger tomatoes.
Regular suckering promotes improved air circulation within the plant canopy, which helps prevent fungal diseases. Stability checks must be frequent, especially after heavy rains or strong winds. Ensure that all stakes remain firmly anchored and that the ties are holding the plant securely without causing compression damage.