My Tiny PlotString Too Tight
As I ventured into the garden yesterday to pull some Leeks I noticed that the string ties on my Peach tree were becoming a little tight. On closer inspection I found that a few were very tight indeed and one had cut through the bark – bad news for letting infection in.
I was surprised because the ties are only on last summer’s grow and I had thought I had left enough room for growth. But apparently not.
So the whole lot will have to come off and be replaced by some that are nice and loose with a twist to keep the branch from rubbing on the canes or wire.
Maybe if you pop some wax around the broken bark it will stop infection getting in, might be worth a go.
Old tights get round this problem!
It’s pricy – but the slightly stretchy brown plastic twine which comes in two thicknesses is excellent. It always has a little ‘give’ in it and lasts and lasts. I use it where looks aren’t so important and on precious branches I don’t want to damage. Jute twine is lovely but can constrict as it shrinks in wet.
Hope there’s no lasting damage.
Back at home we used to put a little piece of folded thick cardboard between the strings and the plant to avoid any cuttings. It works really nice!
just found your garden/cookery blog while flicking through garden blogs on this wet and windy day, like it, will add to my faves list
My fingers are crossed for you, I hope your peach tree will be fine. Do you have a lot of success with peaches in the UK?
Hi, I have just come across your blog and have found it extremely interesting so I have made it my first Blog of the Month. You can see the post here: http://gardeningregisterblog.co.uk/index.php/blog-of-the-month-my-tiny-plot/
Remember that as a stem grows, it’s diameter increases, so a tie that starts out loose, can eventually strangle an expanding stem…. like everything, maintenance is important.