Abstract: An apparatus for assembling support systems for plants and the like. The apparatus includes a first elongate member having an outer surface, a first collar adapted for interlockingly engaging the first elongate member and having interlocking first and second halves. Each of the first and second collar halves have first and second flanges. The first flange of each collar half is interlockingly engageable with the second flange of the other collar half to mount the first collar onto the first elongate member. The first collar first collar half has a connector engageable with a first collar half of a second collar. The connector has a first position for positioning the second collar at a predetermined angle to the first collar.