Tropicals & Tender Perennials: I know I'm boring y'all to tears..., 1 by Kaufmann

Kaufmann wrote:
Sherry: All are staked, just some you can't see because the stakes are now too short and need to be replaced. The staking initially was so they would grow straight. For the 1st 2 months in the ground we had a constant wind from SE blowing 15-20 miles per hour and they were beginning to grow at an angle, hence the stakes which are steel rebar tied with green colored natural jute. The biggest ones were all re-done yesterday due to storm damage they sustained on Monday night (some of the stakes weren't tall enough to support the Y). In order to get the Y properly supported on a couple of the Isabellas, I had to use two stakes, as the plants were completely bent over (see some of the photos above). The stakes are not very attractive, however I'll take looking at those over losing these babies that I've spent so much time on. Once they reach their mature height, I'll take the sawsall and cut the rebar off at the top so it'll be less obtrusive, 'cause this rebar is driven 18" in the ground and isn't coming out easily.

This particular one, I thought was a goner. She was completely bent over, and at best she would've ended up with a big crook in her stalk, so I did the best I could to straighten her out, and also tied up her "pup" which was lying on the ground. This was taken a few minutes ago -- they are looking much improved today: