Grow Tubes
There is a lot of new vines going in and many people are asking questions about grow tubes. The following is a short list of considerations for using (or not using) grow tubes with your new planting.
Benefits
- Reducing animal damage
- Supplying moisture through condensation of humidity
- Physical protection from herbicide sprays
- Increased growth rate
- Replaces stake
- Physical protection
Limitations
- Cost
- The initial cost of tube
- Labor for installation
- Labor for removal
- Growth rate - Trunk “twist” and quality of permanent trunk wood
- Promotes single trunk – most want at least two
- Winter damage – if not removed properly
- High humidity and protection promotes diseases and insects