Best type of support for tomatoes?

alexemmersonuk

Hi all - my tomato plants are doing great and I think it's time to give them some supports. Unfortunately, they need to stay in pots this year as I am due to move house this summer (fingers crossed if all goes through), but I have never bought plant supports before and I am very confused by all the different types. There are obelisks, cloches, ones that go up straight, ones that close up on top, I am not quite sure what's best for tomatoes...
What's worked for you? 
Thanks! 

philippasmith2

Bamboo canes or something similar if sitting in pots with no other structure to fix to.
Soft string to tie plant stem to cane/stick at intervals. 
 If you are going to take your toms with you when you move, just make sure you put some form of topping on the canes otherwise it can be a wee bit risky when you ( or someone else ) is bending over to pick the pot up.

Obelixx

We use the metal ones that have a straight bit at the bottom for pushing into the earth or pot and then a spiral upper.   You can then just point the tomato tips so they go straight up the support.  They come with a plastic or rubber tip so they don't poke your eye out if moving them or, in our case, the polytunnel cover for those planted at the sides.

Canes are fine but can break or rot so we now use the indestructible metal ones that have lasted us 5 years so far and I expect will last another 50 so are good value.

alexemmersonuk

@philippasmith2 good point about the safety issue there! Hadnt thought of that!

alexemmersonuk

@Obelixx don't suppose you have a link for these at all? Like Amazon or anywhere else online? 

Sheps

I use the green plastic coated metal ones, cheap and reusable.

purplerallim

I bought them too @Sheps only problem is they ended up as training support for the twisted hazel,  and to lasso the  Crocosmia Lucifer so it doesn't collapse under its own weight! 😆

Obelixx

I bought mine at a plant fair and then some more at a local GC.

Some of ours look like this - https://www.jardinet.fr/fr/p-tuteur-spirale-en-acier-galvanise-pour-tomates---180cm-p2886.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw37iTBhCWARIsACBt1IyFk9iUGmmm4vEk-jxr5ZTYksqY9mie9jCGWsNEZw1UXGWKan7LzlwaAuU0EALw_wcB

and some like this - https://www.leroymerlin.fr/produits/terrasse-jardin/gazon-plante-potager/tuteur-godet-et-porte-etiquette/tuteur-bambou-bois/tuteur-tomate-spirale-nortene-h-1-80-m-63947716.html?megaBoost&gclid=Cj0KCQjw37iTBhCWARIsACBt1Ix2yRvkKIxCaUMtW2O9ZXaPvf_brCmMNj2q5yANPO_LetiL4lh_wbsaAuAREALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds with a blob of plastic at the end.