Vine haircuts

[desertgirl]

If I let my viners (cucumbers,squash etc) grow up through a cage, then I wind it around the outside, could I then keep cutting it back to keep it a managable size in my SFG? I would think this might actually be beneficial, allowing th eplant to donate energy to fruiting rather than sprawling.

Is there any reason I shouldn't do this?

 

[ducks4you]

I wouldn't, because you're gonna lose some fruit. Just train the ends to vine where you wish.

 

[desertgirl]

Meaning wrapping around more than once if needed?

 

[HunkieDorie23]

I agree, plus the vines are pretty sensitive and you could open up a avenue for bacteria or fungus to enter.

 

[desertgirl]

Won't they get so dense that fruit gets "trapped' in the middle of the cage?

(FYI-I am also planning a trellis in another area, but as an avid fan of covered and raised SFG, I am experimenting this year. Thank you for all of your help!)

 

[ducks4you]

Meaning wrapping around more than once if needed?

No. Put a post in the ground or something else to climb with, and train the ends to climb that. Cucumbers produce a LOT of fruit--you won't miss much.

 

[vfem]

Cages with cukes didn't work well for me, I used a flat trellis and it managed to do much better with keep up off the ground and holding up good fruit, I was able to find more that way. I do the same with squash.

 

[ecopepper]

I had cukes last year on a tomato vine I got 2 and then it died. Not sure why but this year I put up wire 4 by 4 squares across my fence and hope to have more. And have more spots for other vines and plants that need staking. Good luck. I wrapped my sugar snapo peas around and around a tomato cage in a pot and they did good until the kids started eatting all them and breaking branches.

BB

 

[desertgirl]

Awesome-I planted snap peas,too. I'll definitely cage those.