Question: I have heard that grow tubes produce vines with thin, spindly stems. Is this true??

Answer: NO! - for large diameter, good quality grow tubes.
Research conducted at CSU Fresno showed conclusively that large-diameter (3.5 inches), good quality, pink/beige grow tubes produce vines with:

• Thicker stems
• 70% more stem dry weight (the most accurate measure of biomass growth)
• 70% more root dry weight

The same healthy, balanced root/shoot ratio as the (much smaller!) vines without grow tubes The myth of spindly-stemmed vines has persisted for two reasons:


1) Too many growers have used small diameter, triangular, or green grow tubes, have seen the thin-stemmed vines these tubes typically produce, and have mistakenly assumed that all grow tubes cause these problems.
2) Growers in regions where irrigation is used have occasionally over-watered their vines, which can inhibit growth. For the thousands of growers who have used large-diameter, good quality grow tubes (and have used them properly) the results are universal: Bigger, healthier, balanced vines that bear fruit sooner and reach mature production levels faster.