How long should shade cloth last?

[ellisonk001]

I built a shade house about 16-18 months ago:




About six months ago I started to notice white spots on my plants. I feared the worst and thought I had some type of pest, but closer inspection revealed that it was small pieces of the shade cloth. Unfortunately, it has begun to deteriorate rapidly. It rained pretty heavy yesterday and it looked like snow on the plants.

I know this isn’t a very good picture, but I hope you can see how the shade cloth it coming apart.



So, is this normal? How long does shade cloth normally last? How tightly should shade cloth be stretched over a frame? I am now wondering if I contributed to this by stretching the shade cloth too tight (hoping to keep it from blowing around in the wind). Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Keith

[peterhewitt]

This depends on what type of Shade you use, your area weather, rainfall and many other factors.
You appear to be using a reflective type shade cloth, these deteriorate very rapidly, due to a high metal content.
18 months seems a reasonable lifespan.

[ellisonk001]

I am very disappointed with my first batch of shade cloth. After only 18 months it was falling apart.





So I went on line and ordered some “newer, better” shade cloth.
Out with the old…




And in with the new…




Hopefully this will last much longer and keep everybody happy…

[peterhewitt]

Very nice set up. That type of shade cloth will last longer. I use something similar.
What shade factor are you using?
LOL, i see the bug really bit you, in the time you have had the shade house.

[ellisonk001]

Jul 7, 2010 9:47:36 GMT -10 peterhewitt said:

Very nice set up. That type of shade cloth will last longer. I use something similar.
What shade factor are you using?
LOL, i see the bug really bit you, in the time you have had the shade house.

Peter, thanks for your kind words! This time around I went with knit high-density polyethylene 50% white shade cloth. I really hope it last longer this time around. Yes, the bug has bitten hard. I keep telling myself I need to slow down, but there are some many beautiful plants out there....

Keith