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After trying both a standard foam block and a chicken wire cage for a large arch last weekend, the cage held twice the stems and looked way more natural.
Has anyone else switched from foam for big installs, or found a better trick for keeping things secure?
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olivia4781mo ago
Have you tried adding a second layer of chicken wire for extra support? I double up the wire on big arches, zip-tying the layers together at the seams, and that fixes the collapsing issue. Also, soaking the foam block overnight in water before carving helps it hold stems better without crumbling. Chicken wire is great for airflow, but you gotta reinforce the bottom with a wooden stake to keep everything upright. Your best bet might be mixing both materials in the same frame.
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jade2713mo ago
We tried chicken wire last year and it just collapsed under the weight.
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oscar_hunt613mo ago
Yeah, chicken wire is way too flimsy for heavy plants! I switched to concrete reinforcing wire, the kind with the big 6-inch squares. It's super stiff and you can make a really strong cylinder by just wiring the ends together. My tomatoes didn't even make it sag.
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