Homemade plant support systems (HPSS) - How do you support a plant that needs it..

[ganjaluvr]

Just thought I would start a thread (been a while since i've seen an updated thread on this particular subject). If your wondering about what exactly I am talking about well I guess I'll have to explain what exactly it is.. that I'm talking about.

Alright, I'm sure many of you if not most of you.. have all experienced the 'leaning plant' syndrome. I'm talking about young plants.. that are maybe a week into veg cycle. Sometimes, you get the ones that want to lean over to one side.. just a little to much. I don't like seeing young plants (at least not mine) leaning so far over.. it makes me nervous... as I like to try and provide the best artificial environment for my indoor growing as possible.

Well, usually when I see a young plant that's wanting to lean over to one side or another.. a little too much leaning.. I like to just simply add more soil to the container (if possible).. in order to add some stability around the plants main stem.

So, I am wondering.. as to what methods other people have used.. in order to help a plant stand up straight as possible.

So, if you would like to share your 'support method'.. as to what kind of materials (if any) you use for making the 'support' from.

I've thought about cutting a straw to length.. and then slitting open the side (long ways down) of the straw.. so that you can open the straw up.. then place it next to the plants stem.. and then release it.. so that the straw will then close back up to its natural position. Then, I add more soil.. to stabilize the straw... so that it can then become a operational support system for the plants main stem.. and keep the plant in as close to an upright position as possible.

What other methods have you guys and gals used?

Please, share!

peace..

 

[Lemon king]

??? no one else

 

[chuck estevez]

??? no one else

thread was started 3 years ago,lol

 

[RedWhiteBlueGreen]

I know what u mean when u say about leaning; little ones with stems abit too skinny & weak to support them.

If i have to, i use just a cocktail stick poked lightly into the soil at the base of their stem so it stands parallel to stem & whole of stem can rest on it. If u got a longer bit (u can buy cheap skinny wooden skewers meant for BBQ's that are useful & long - snap them to length) then tuck a lower leaf stem round top of stick too so its hugging & leaning against it.


You do need to be abit careful when pushing into soil & a gentle pressure & little wiggle if should avoid piercing anything. Plus inserting tip of the stick half an inch is plenty enough to support a little weak-un & the stem goes straight down for that depth anyway - pushing stick in a few inches is unnecessary & more chance damaging. If u are worried, then use a long stick wedged into the soil at outside edge of pot & lean it diagonally into the lean of the plant so it supports it that way. There's unlikely to any delicate roots that far out at surface yet so u can dig in ok.

This crutch will stop it leaning & like u say, pack abit more soil round base to firm up too, if poss. The way i then try & firm up stem is to give it gentle-ish fan (blowing against so its pushed back onto the stick, not so its blown away from its support) tho & put a light closer to its head. 3 or 4 days of that normally means it don't need crutch anymore. And i prefer a stick to a straw as a straw could become an unnatural constriction.

 

[kinddiesel]

real growers. use tomato cages, this is the best. next choice is poles . 4 poles and a shit tun of zip ties, any real grower plant will fall over from the weigh in week 2 of flowering. also for huge plants. use hangers ropes from above

 

[RedWhiteBlueGreen]

Hehe! very true Kinddiesel - i was kinda assuming we were talking little plants in a tent but yeah, for good size little weak-un's u'd want more for sure.

Tho i should've known, anytime anyone acronynizes anything then they probably talking pretty seriously anyway -and i wouldn't consider myself a full HPSS expert yet certainly! lol!