GB2233200A

GB2233200A - Plant supports

Info

Publication number: GB2233200A
Application number: GB8914288A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Brian Abel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-06-22
Filing date: 1989-06-22
Publication date: 1991-01-09
Also published as: GB8914288D0

Abstract

A support, particularly for garden peas or climbing plants, has a pair of elements rigid enough to be supported vertically in the ground and each having a plurality of holes in which are received horizontal canes, poles or the like. Galvanised expanded metal is preferably used for the elements each of which is wrapped around a dowel which is stuck into the ground. <IMAGE>

Description

GARDEN PEA (PISUM SATIVUM) SUPPORT This invention refers to a horticultural matter i.e. the growing of the garden pea botanical name Pisum Sativum.

Traditionally the garden pea has been grown by means of sowing in conveniently long rows, spaced apart approximately the intended height of the haulms or vines upon which they grow, it is generally regarded by gardeners that the taller the haulms the sweeter the pea. Unfortunately the taller varieties require to be staked or supported, otherwise they fall to one side or the other, causing constriction at the base which restricts the supply of moisture to the pods causing stoppage of growth.

Because of the difficulty of obtaining suitable material for staking the growing of garden peas has fallen into disrepute, whilst the pea has remained the most popular table vegetable, but families have settled for the less suculent ground pea grown commercially without supports.

The accepted way of staking pea haulms has been to collect twigs or branches from growing trees or bushes in areas of woodland, and place them vertically into the ground adjacent to the growing haulms so that the fingers of the vines could grasp the twigs and gain support, landowners however now frown upon this practice, because of the damages caused.

Please note that this support was of a vertical nature, whereas the invention described gives support of a horizontal nature The pea supports shown in Fig.4 may be manufactured in any material which is rigid yet sufficiently malleable under manufacturing conditions to be formed at its edges into a tube to retain a dowel of similar material which will slot into the open end of the tube so that they stand unsupported into each other to a desired height, and sufficiently rigid so as not to bend under the weight of the pea haulms drenched with water, and have sufficient holes in the material to offer a variety of niches to hold the horizontal poles or rods securely.

The material chosen in the example is expanded metal (steel) which is finally galvanised for longer life, the diamondshaped holes being 100 mm long x 50 mm wide. The total dimensions of the support are no important but should be such as to facilitate easy winter storage, in the example I suggest 50 CM long x 25 CM wide, with a 30 CM dowel inserted 10 CM into the tube and spot welded for retention.

A specific embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of reference to drawings.

FIGURE 1 shows the traditional method of staking and growing peas (Pisum Sativum) FIGURE 2 shows in detail how the pea haulms support themselves vertically with restrictions on height FIGURE 3 shows how this may be achieved by means of vertical supports which are not height restricted therefore used less ground area and producing more succulent peas in profusion FIGURE 4 shows in detail how these supports may be manufactured.

Claims

1. A rigid metallic or plastic framework containing a quantity of holes and suitably treated for exposure to the elements to prolong existence which when stuck into the ground together with a companion, will support horizontally placed staves, poles or bamboo canes to allow garden peas (Pisum Sativum) to use this facility as a support.

2. To increase the height of the facility by means of slotting companions into the holes provided in the lower framework, to facilitate the growing of taller and more succulent breeds of peas.

3. To provide an elegent framework which is easily constructed by the layman annually, and stored away when not in use for a long life.

4. To provide a better growing facility than presently available because of increased light and air to the plants.

5. To facilitate the better use of surface area in the garden by growing upwards.

6. To provide a similar facility for all other climbing plants, clematis, passion flower and sweet pea.