Securing your climbing plants is essential for their health and proper growth. Effectively "wrapping" or tying a climbing plant means attaching its stems to a support structure, guiding its growth, and protecting its delicate parts from damage.
One key reason to secure climbing plants is to prevent their thin, brittle stems from breaking or becoming damaged, especially in windy conditions. As highlighted in the reference from the YouTube video "How to tie back and train climbing plants", if not tied, the thin brittle stems can easily break or become damaged in winds. This stem damage causes the whole plant to wilt, and the leaves to turn brown. Properly securing the stems prevents this vital connection to the root system from being severed or impaired.
Why Tie and Train Climbing Plants?
Securing climbers offers several significant benefits:
- Prevents Damage: Protects brittle stems from wind, rain, or accidental knocks.
- Encourages Upward Growth: Guides the plant onto its intended support (trellis, wall, arch).
- Improves Air Circulation: Lifts foliage off the ground, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
- Enhances Aesthetics: Creates a neat, trained look for your garden.
- Maximizes Space: Allows plants to grow vertically in smaller areas.
How to Secure (Tie/Wrap) Your Climbing Plant Stems
While some climbers twine naturally, many benefit from being manually attached or "tied" to their support. This process involves securing the stems without restricting growth.
Essential Materials
- Soft Ties: Use materials that won't cut into the stems. Good options include:
- Garden string (natural jute or soft twine)
- Velcro plant ties
- Plastic plant clips
- Strips of old tights or fabric
- Support Structure: Ensure you have a sturdy trellis, wires, netting, arbour, or other appropriate support installed before planting or when the plant is young.
Step-by-Step Process
Here’s how to effectively secure your climbing plant stems:
- Assess the Plant and Support: Look at the plant's growth habit and the available support. Identify stems that are reaching out, dangling, or growing away from the structure.
- Select a Stem: Choose a stem you want to attach to the support.
- Position the Stem: Gently guide the stem towards the support structure.
- Prepare the Tie: Cut a piece of your chosen tie material. It should be long enough to go around the stem and the support, with enough slack.
- Create a Loose Loop: Loop the tie around the stem first. Make sure the loop is loose enough to allow the stem to expand as it grows. A common mistake is tying too tightly, which can girdle and damage the stem.
- Attach to the Support: Bring the ends of the tie around the support (e.g., a trellis bar, wire, or pole).
- Secure the Tie: Tie the ends of the tie onto the support. Use a knot that is secure but relatively easy to untie later if needed. A simple figure-eight knot (loop around the stem, then cross the tie behind the stem and loop around the support, tying off on the support) is often recommended as it keeps the stem away from the support, preventing rubbing damage. Alternatively, if using Velcro ties or clips, simply wrap/clip them around the stem and support.
- Check for Slack: Ensure there is enough slack in the tie to accommodate future stem thickening. You should typically be able to fit your finger between the stem and the tie/support.
- Repeat: Continue this process with other stems as needed, working your way up the plant. Guide stems horizontally or vertically depending on the desired training pattern.
- Regular Monitoring: Check ties periodically (e.g., seasonally) to ensure they are not becoming too tight as the stems grow thicker. Adjust or replace ties as necessary.
Training Specific Climbers
Different types of climbers benefit from slightly different training approaches:
| Climbing Type | How They Climb | Training Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Twiners | Stems wrap around support | Need narrow supports (poles, wires). Guide young stems initially. |
| Tendril Climbers | Tendrils grasp onto support | Need thin supports (netting, wires). Help tendrils find the support. |
| Scramblers/Ramblers | Lean and hook with thorns/spines | Need physical tying onto sturdy supports (walls, fences, arches) for structure. |
| Self-Clingers | Attach with aerial roots/pads | Need porous surfaces (brick, bark). May need initial tying to get started. |
For most garden climbers that aren't self-clingers, manual tying is a crucial part of their care, preventing the stem damage that can lead to wilting and brown leaves as described in the reference.
By consistently tying and training your climbing plants, you ensure they grow strong, healthy, and beautiful, maximizing their potential on their chosen support structure.
