No, not a squash.
No, not a caterpillar either!
It's a type of string. I bought some online 9/10 yers ago and don't remember where.
Where we now live we have an allotment that is fairly exposed and windy. When we put in the raspberries we put up good post and wire support first. The canes are then tied in with soft string. Last year was OK but this year we have had several days of strong winds and the string is sliding along the wire. The fruit is getting badly damaged as it tangles and rubs on the next canes. The 'knobbly' bits on the yellow and black nylon(?) string stopped this happening.
Anyone seen it or something similar?
Can't help with the string but maybe tying it differently might help.
A couple of ways to try:
1. Fold the string in half, pass the ends over the wire and feed them through the middle(loop). This should now have two ends hanging down and the string firmly attached to the wire. Tie the ends around the plant.
2. Put string around the wire so that its equal both sides, cross over the ends and tie around the plant( should look like an 8, with wire through one hole and plant through the other).
Both of the above should have the plants tied a little loose to allow for growth and when the wind blows them the weight of the plant should cause the string to tighten around the wire.
How do you tie them?
Neil
Normally use the 'figure of 8' method for tying anything in. Have tried all ways I can think of for the raspberries and they are still sliding along.
Think I shall have to use really strong nylon and spend a few winter evenings putting knots all along it before replacing the wire!!
Tie the string on the wire wet, tie it very tight then take the tails down and loosely tie the plant, put blue tack either side of the string round the wire it hangs on pretty tight and stops the string moving
XX Jeannine
Thanks Jeannine. I was wondering about bluetak. If I have time I will make a start this evening. Just wish I could find the knobbly string as it was brilliant. We were living 800' up on Exmoor when I first bought some and it worked really well.