Wrought Iron Porch Post as Trellis
My porch tomatoes (2 plants) now reach about 3½ feet above their large pot. Each growing season, depending on what I grow directly on the porch, or any climbing plants that I put into the corner bed below the porch, I may need to decide how to support the plants. Plants that are natural climbers (e.g. Scarlet Runner Beans) will easily locate and climb the iron scroll decorations on the corner support post. Others, like my tomatoes this year, need assistance.
By mid-June, any supports that I place are completely covered by foliage, so only their functionality is important. My favorite supports are switches of hazel that I prune from the base of my hazel "trees". In addition, any random thing that works is fine with me.
One of my potted tomato plants grew in a fashion that easily allowed me to encourage it into weaving through the wrought iron decorative curls. The other headed well beyond that, and required some support to prevent it from flopping downward, once fruit developed. As shown below, a steel tent stake supports the stalk.
The stake is adjustably held in place by a wooden clothespin.
A simple, cross brace works in some locations.
If the stalk is flexible enough, it can be woven through the iron loops.
My large pot rests inside a 1020 tray assembly, to catch rainwater, excess top water, or allow bottom watering.
As you can see in the last photo, even the twisted, vertical railing supports can be made into a trellis for cukes, etc. with a few sticks.
At the end of the season, all these support sticks and gadgets are easily removed, to reveal the wrought iron in all its pristine glory.
Bob
My porch tomatoes (2 plants) now reach about 3½ feet above their large pot. Each growing season, depending on what I grow directly on the porch, or any climbing plants that I put into the corner bed below the porch, I may need to decide how to support the plants. Plants that are natural climbers (e.g. Scarlet Runner Beans) will easily locate and climb the iron scroll decorations on the corner support post. Others, like my tomatoes this year, need assistance.
By mid-June, any supports that I place are completely covered by foliage, so only their functionality is important. My favorite supports are switches of hazel that I prune from the base of my hazel "trees". In addition, any random thing that works is fine with me.
One of my potted tomato plants grew in a fashion that easily allowed me to encourage it into weaving through the wrought iron decorative curls. The other headed well beyond that, and required some support to prevent it from flopping downward, once fruit developed. As shown below, a steel tent stake supports the stalk.
The stake is adjustably held in place by a wooden clothespin.
A simple, cross brace works in some locations.
If the stalk is flexible enough, it can be woven through the iron loops.
My large pot rests inside a 1020 tray assembly, to catch rainwater, excess top water, or allow bottom watering.
As you can see in the last photo, even the twisted, vertical railing supports can be made into a trellis for cukes, etc. with a few sticks.
At the end of the season, all these support sticks and gadgets are easily removed, to reveal the wrought iron in all its pristine glory.
Bob
