Why use cane toppers?

Plant support stakes and canes become increasingly difficult to see as the plants grow. The tops can effectively disappear amongst the foliage and they then become a hazard. When cropping fruit or checking for disease it is usual to be focussed on the job at hand, and it would be very easy to stab yourself with the top of the cane. This could be extremely painful if you stab yourself in the eye, and could lead to loss of sight.

1.

Here is a pepper plant with a metal support stake - another month and the stake would be almost invisible.

#2.

Here is the same cane with an empty plastic water bottle placed on top, making it much more visible, and safer.

3.

Here are some chillies with thin canes. These ones are topped with drinking yoghurt containers.

4.

This fruit tree once again shows how well camouflaged the support stakes can be. 

5.

If you write on the topper with a permanent marker pen, you not only have a safety feature but a label too.

6.

If you use bamboo canes outdoors, the toppers also prevent the tops from filling with water, prolonging their useful life.