Wire Trellis for the Clock Vine

In recent entry, I wrote briefly about the Clock Vine that DH was able to grow from a couple of cuttings.

Since I didn't want it crowded out by the nearby plants, notably the fast-growing Millionaire's Vines, it was time for this vine to have its own climbing support. And for this simple DIY project, you only need a few simple materials and tools: pliers with a wire cutter, thin wires or twist ties, and metal wire.


In case you're wondering what that piece of concrete is, it's a stepping stone. Yeah, it could be better - but that's another DIY project in the future.

This climbing support has 2 parts: the lower half which is the "fork" and the the upper half which is the "handle". It's the fork that will help the young seedling to slowly climb the wire.

Start off by bending the wire as shown below with a pair of pliers. The fork is like an inverted "U" with an eyelet at the top. The eyelet will be where the handle will connect to the fork.


Next is to assemble the rungs of the fork which are like the rungs of a ladder. These rungs will help the seedling really start the climb on to the trellis.


Simply cut a few tie wires a couple of inches longer than the width of the fork. Wind an inch of tie wire on the metal wire.

No need for pliers on this. Just use your thumb and fingers. Finally, here's the assembled fork. There are three rungs assembled for this.


The upper half or handle is a vertical metal wire attached to the trellis bracket as shown below. This is where the strong and (by now) deeply rooted vine will finally attach.


As the handle may be long, secure it to the wall so it it doesn't sway. Hammer a nail into the wall and then attach the metal wire to the nail with a short tie wire.

The plants at the right side in the background are the nearby Millionaire's Vines.


To connect the one-wire handle to the fork, simply insert the handle wire into the fork's eyelet and coil it as shown in the magnified detail below.


With the handle attached to the fork, plant the two prongs of the fork into the soil (inside the black pot in the picture below). The soil in the pot below has been topped with garden soil and composted coconut husk which explains the brown color.