Burpee Nylon trellis, FAILURE after 6 months

16 years ago

Yesterday, after a small line of rain passed here in Austin, I went outside and found one of my 6 foot tall tomato plants had fallen over. I thought that has weird considering it has grown up through a brand new trellis.

The trellis had come apart. I then noticed I could break open a square with the slightest tug.

Today I went out, it is dry today, and found a second trellis with two massive Juliettes had completely blown out.

I bought this trellis in January because the Square Foot Garden book said it was indestructible and would last forever. Now I've got about 16 feet of 7' tall trellis that is loaded with fruit!

The trellis is connected to 7' tall conduit. I have propped the plants up by weaving hemp rope around the stems.

What should I do?

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Comments (18)

anney
16 years ago
You'll probably need to stake the plants to keep them off the ground. They won't be photogenic, of course, but you just want to keep them as elevated as possible.

Take pictures of the damage and contact Burpee. Give them your order # and ask for your money back.
curt_grow
16 years ago
Yes that is unusual for the nylon netting. I think I could pull a truck with mine and it was used all last year.

Curt
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austintexaszone8
Original Author
16 years ago
It looks to me like the elements have caused the material to disintegrate. It is literally coming apart in my hand. Yea, I'll get my money back, but be warned everybody. This is not a good solution. Back to the drawing board for me.

Here is a link that might be useful:
austintexaszone8
Original Author
16 years ago
Few days ago looked like this

Here is a link that might be useful:
austintexaszone8
Original Author
16 years ago
The other failure pic

Here is a link that might be useful:
mangledmind
16 years ago
great, I just spent the hottest part of the day (106Â° F) stringing this stuff up on one trellis support for cantaloupe. Guess for the other dozen I gotta get some remesh instead of this nylon netting.
aloha10
16 years ago
I have been using Burpee nylon trellis netting for as long as they have been selling it and never had a problem. I use it for pole beans, peas, and cukes. Have had other issues with Burpee stuff but not the nylon netting. With that kind of solar radiation frying nylon, , I would check my sunscreen( lol).
mangledmind
16 years ago
in Austin, TX the average temps range from 60 - 90Â° F from Jan - June with a UV Index: 11 (Extreme), so I'm wondering what other variables could be involved with it's failure.

I'm wondering if they're any trees shedding some acidic sap?

Possibly a reaction from other chemicals; fertilizers, insecticides etc ...

or it could be just cheap import netting ...
austintexaszone8
Original Author
16 years ago
I just sprayed Bt (Spinosad) about 24 hours before the first trellis failed.

I also sprayed a water/compost tea mix about 3 days before that.

No other chemicals have been used with the exception of a Bt spray in May.

I am thinking this is a new blend of Nylon that can't hold up to the UV beating it receives from 8:30 am - 7pm?
trellis_grower
15 years ago
It should have been able to stand up to the UV it would receive in a year, assuming it is still new netting. No netting will last forever eventually it will weaken and fall apart. Probably wasn't manufactured with a proper UV package. I purchased some polypropylene netting and it has been out in full sun for a year and is still super strong. Found it online at denetdirect. I am hoping it lasts for a couple years.
jollyrd
15 years ago
I am with sconticut on this. I am in 7A, Central Virginia. I have the same nylon trellis set up two years ago and I dont remove it after the season is over -- it just stays where it is, blank. And it is still there. There is a minimal if none damage to it after two years. But I only use this trellis for beans. For tomatoes or peppers, I use cattle fence.
hwgangg_gmail_com
15 years ago
I'm in Central New England and last year (2010) we installed a new trellis system. We suspended Burpee trellis (purchased at Home Depot) perfectly supported from conduit and every single trellis failed exactly as OP described, or worse, part way through the season. It would come apart like paper with the slightest tug as described after just a few months use in a northern (5a) garden!

I had nylon trellis before and it lasted for many years until the mice got into it and chewed it into nesting material while in storage.

Maybe it was a bad batch. Or maybe they've just cheapened it. Either way, I was very disappointed.
springlift34
15 years ago
It's so hot in Texas.
elliephant
15 years ago
I had the same thing happen down here in McAllen, TX.
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years ago
Low level ozone is very high in those parts - to the point it weakens plants. Not surprising at all.

Dan
bella_trix
15 years ago
This happened to me with the Burpee Nylon trellis at the end of last year. I was really surprised, too. I could literally pull it appart with a gentle tug. I've been using older nylon trellis over and over again with no problem, but Burpee seems to have switched manufactures and the new one is junk.

Bellatrix
greenhousekendra
15 years ago
I had the same issue in Kansas Zone 5. The nylon trellis started breaking apart early August, lasted 4 months! I'm not buying it again - for anything.
johngreenhand
15 years ago
look at hortonova netting i am using it and doing well. mess to handle as stiff get 330 ft for about 70 dollars frt included