General Staking Question.

What is best to use to tie a plant stalk to a stake? I normally use kite string, but I'm afraid it will rub or cut into the dahia's. What has worked well for you all?

Thanks in advance,
Linda

I use rafia or plain garden twine. I think you're right about kite string. Dahlias need a lot of support. I tie a loop knot around the stake, take each end and wrap it around the dahlia back to the stake and then I tie it in a bow. This allows a lot of leeway for changing the tie and makes sure that the tie doesn't slide down the stake.

On really big Dahlias you'll have to put three stakes in a teepee. Another option is tomato cages upside down. I use some decorative tripods. If they are in a line it's sometimes easier to make a sort of 'fence' and tie them to it.

hiya Sunshines2day,

Have you tried the green vinyl tie tape that is used in tree staking?

It doesn't cut into plants and is really quite strong.

Drdon is right! The green tape is great I use it for tying everything.
George

I have used both the green tape and binder twine that we use in the berries.

Old nylons cut into strips work well too, and allow for some give thus not injuring the stem of the plant.

Marc

Wow RB I've got lots of them things .... hehe .... I'm forever runnin' mine and needing new ones.

Roni

Now you can put them to good use :-)

Since I wear hose once every four years I think I'll get some of the tape. I wouldn't want to try to find mine....it's probably long gone.

I tried the upside down tomato cages, but the plants were too tall and then I could not get the cages out of there to do proper staking, so it was more than a little messy that year. Now I just use regular stakes.

Has anyone tried or heard of these cages? They sound very functional but are a little on the steep side. What do you think?

http://www.tomato-cages.com/

I'm using the cage's I hope you can see the in this shot

here's another view