DIY fruit cage with bamboo canes...possible?

[chilliking]

We've got one redcurrant bush in the garden that despite netting with fleece was cleaned out by the pigeons (I presume) last summer.

This year I intend to improve the protection a level by constructing some form of fruit cage. It's quite near the house so I need to come up with something astheically not too bad to keep Mrs chilliking happy and also something I can easily dismantle post fruiting and re use next year.

I've got a large stash of bamboo canes that I was thinking I could use. What is the best/easiest way of connecting/tying them together to form a cage?

I have seen the bamboo conector things on amazon but the reviews seem pretty bad. Is there some other reliable DIY solution I need to know about? (btw - I missed boy scouts so my lashing skills are probably wanting)

Also whats the best material to use for the netting once I have the frame sorted?

[Tomatoe]

Could split the top of the canes slightly to V them, you could then put netting over the top and tie the V closed with a bit of string?

Does that make sense?

[Hazel at the Hill]

I'd insert bamboo canes into ground, top with empty 'yaku1t'/small pop bottles/ball bit balls then chuck netting over top. Remember to tuck the netting in or weigh it down so that the blackbirds don't get trapped inside.

[weed]

use garden wire twisted around instead of string but leave a bit of an end so you can untwist when you want to take it down you can use the end bits to secure the netting but bend them back so you don't scratch yourself

[Lumpy]

How about creating a wigwam with your canes and then drape net/bug mesh over the top. Birds don't like things that shie and move about so how about some old cd's strung about on string. You could pretty both ideas up with a quick trip to a pound shop.
Good Luck

[Martin H]

If you have any old hosepipe lying around, I find short pieces of this make useful cane connectors (although joining 3 canes to make a corner does need some improvisation).

[chilliking]

thanks for the ideas all. think i'll stick 4 canes in the ground then wire up a frame around the top and bottom.

[Penellype]

If you want to buy connectors I find the best ones for bamboo canes are the Figo ones. I used these for an improvised horizontal extension to my bean wigwam last year and they withstood the gales, whereas canes tend to fall out of the ball type connectors. I've also used them for a frame to support my PSB over winter.

[Bill HH]

I use cable ties, they work perfectly.

[Philthy]

I use cable ties, they work perfectly

Second that. Quick, versatile, strong, easy to manage, and cheap as chips.

[Bigmallly]

Tennis balls with holes drilled in them. Easy to dismantle & store away.

[Kleftiwallah]

Tennis balls drilled slightly undersize, job jobbed!

Cheers, Tony.

[Hazel at the Hill]

On a elf and safety note - always put something on the ends of bamboo canes as eye protectors. So easy to focus on something at ground level and be oblivious to the pokey stick ends as you bob down to weed.

[chilliking]

love the tennis ball idea - think I might give that a go first!

[Two_Sheds]

constructing some form of fruit cage.... got a large stash of bamboo canes

It will only work for one season, because every year some damp and rot gets into the canes and they get gradually weaker until they just snap & break