Keeping trailing vines and climbing branches tidy can be a little tricky. They must be treated carefully to avoid breaking or damaging tender tissue by tying them too tightly.
Two new products could be helpful.
Q Knots and D-Wings are related to the cord organizers produced for years by UT Wire. They are made of weather-resistant rubber to be soft on plants and sturdy in storms.
Q Knots are similar to the plastic ties used for electrical wires and temporary police handcuffs. They are slimmer than other products and about 7 inches long. They are especially useful for tying up sprawling tomato vines.
D-Wings are useful on trellises, columns and porch rails to help train climbing plants to cloak them. Climbing roses, bougainvilleas and vines that do not naturally twine around supports or send out grasping tendrils need man-made attaching devices.
At the top of each piece is a small, rounded mound with a slit in the center, to hold plant branches or stems. The D-Wing attaches to the support with an adhesive pad on the back. The Wings will hold at temperatures from minus-25 degrees up to 160 degrees, the manufacturer says. They can be removed without leaving residue or nail holes behind.
Both products are available at Home Depot, Pep Boys and the Container Store for about $5 per package of six D-Wings or 10 Q Knots. The ties are reusable.
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