use nylon twine as others wont hold up in sun and weather.

Dont worry about the twine damaging. Sure it will rub some but the plants arent around that long anyway.

Some of these pics show wood stakes. I dont do those anymore unless I want to use them to extend the height and attach them to metal stakes. These wood stakes for indeterminates can break in the wind. Those tall rows and heavy plants act like sails with the right wind.

{{gwi:1331162}}

{{gwi:1331163}}

some rows in these pics are caged
{{gwi:1331164}}

this pic you can see I switched to metal 'T' posts which was worth the investment (dont bother with 'U' posts they can be too weak and bend)
{{gwi:1331165}}

{{gwi:1331166}}

Anney I am assuming you looked at the pics posted in the previous FW discussions right? I think it was hoosier (can't swear to that) that posted some great ones last season and I know there have been some recent modified FW pics in a couple of discussions.

I can't post a pic of the one time I tried it. Didn't take any until it was too late that the vines had it all covered up. But I used T-post every 3 plants and parachute cord - it's green braided nylon, flat on the side, VERY strong, no stretch, non-abrasive, cheap and available in 1000 yard spools at any surplus store.

shows using twine but I'd agree with you about the abrasive concerns. And mulio once pointed out the need to wear gloves when stringing as it can cut your hands. His post was why I went with the parachute cord.

This pic shows using cotton clothesline cord I think. Much softer stuff but would be more stretchy. Still you can always take up the slack as it develops.

This blog from Colorado State was one of my bookmarks since it shows students setting up a FW - good pics - just scroll down the page. Note they say:
Plastic tomato twine and baling twine was used to trellis the tomato plants. Sisal twine stretches and therefore is not recommended.

Plastic baling twine is another cheap non-abrasive option to consider if you have a farm store nearby.

Hope this helps. Let us know how it goes with what you decide on.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: FW discussions

Mulio

Well, what I have will, in principle, replace your metal stakes, since it is cattle panel.

{{gwi:74991}}

There are sixteen of these indeterminate plants, various varieties, spaced at two feet. But I've been tying individual plants to the cattle panel. When I find a better twine (I think what I have now is cotton, though in years past I've used soft strips of plastic grocery bags), I'm wondering if I should actually weave long lengths of it through the cattle panel to enclose the plants as they'd be with FW? Maybe every two or four (double) plants? More than that would probably not be efficient, and if one section gave way, they'd ALL be in trouble.

I've found these cheap little triangular supports are great for indeterminate tomatoes if you can drive the legs far enough down into the soil:

{{gwi:74992}}

dave,

Yes, I've looked at many other discussions of the FW, including other suggestions for support. I'll probably get some of that parachute cord and try this modified FW this season to see if it works pretty well.

While tying each plant to the cattle panel is a bit tedious, I haven't minded that. But there are always the wild branches, particularly on the side that grows away from the cattle panel, that are not controlled when you tie a main stem to it. I think that actually weaving the twine through the cattle panel might alleviate some of that problem. They've already begun to act willful again this year!

They've already begun to act willful again this year!

LOL Yeah they do have a mind of their own don't they. Gotta admire their determination! ;)

Dave

Id weave every 2 plants.

You start getting into problems when you go more than that. They may tend fall to one side into each other. It creates a mess. Maybe with the panel it might be less inclined to do.

The small cheap tomato supports are good for determinates, NOT indeterminates as I typed. I'm forever switching them.

Mulio

I'm glad you suggested the number of tomato plants. I assume you mean I could use the FW on four plants all together, since every two of them are in a double row, separated by the cattle panel like this.

I do not have pictures, but I am using a Florida weave this year, and I am using nylon clothesline from the dollar store. It doesn't stretch and hasn't caused any abrasions to the plants. Plus, it's cheap and reusable.

cant resist, I am surprised more of you did resist the urge,