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Mesh vs. Paper

2/9/2015

4 Comments

 
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   Currently there are two primary bags that are used to protect the bunches in use in date cultivation today. The paper bag has been in use for many years, it was introduced in the early to mid 1900's. The mesh bag is a relative newcomer and has been in use in the last 20 years. Both of these bags have their advantages and disadvantages and the determination as to which one is the best is still up for debate. 

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                                                              Paper Bag

     The paper used for bags is known as Kraft paper which is a brown heavy duty sheet of paper. It has the advantage of being relatively inexpensive and provides better protection from rain than the mesh bags. The Paper also has an advantage of providing more shade for the bunches than the mesh and reduces the number of dates that are get sunburn.
      The disadvantages are that they are disposable and have the possibility of ripping during high winds. Another disadvantage is that they create an environment inside the bag so years when there is a lot of humidity, but no rain the environment that is created inside the bag can cause problems that is normally seen from rain. the final disadvantage is that the paper bag does not fully enclose the bunch and leaves the bunch susceptible to insects that the mesh would keep out
     All in all the paper bag is a great choice for the Barhi trees due to the fact that most a Barhi are picked in the yellow stage and they create less of a mess should some of the dates ripen before the bunches are picked. Other trees that we use the paper bags on are the Zahadi and Khadrawi.


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                                                           Mesh Bag

The mesh bag is made of a nylon material and the holes in the mesh a small enough to keep insects out, but it also allows air to circulate around the bunch which solves one of the problems associated with the paper bag. another advantage is that it covers the whole bunch and should some of the crop fall due to wind the mesh bag will catch the dates save that portion of the crop from being wasted. although they are more expensive than the paper bag they can be reused for many years and that will justify the additional cost.

The disadvantages to the mesh bags is they offer less protection from dust and no protection to the rain. In recent years we have experienced heavy monsoon rains and it has caused a lot of the dates in the mesh bags to sour and go bad while the dates in the paper bags fared much better.

The use of the mesh bag has become common place with the two most common dates the Medjul (Medjool) and the Deglet Noor and this is a trend that will continue. However the mesh does not work well on the really soft varieties because they tend to smash in the netting and creates a big mesh.

So in conclusion, if you were to ask me which type of bag you should buy I would have to say it depends on the situation because the effectiveness of either bag is determined by the situation.



4 Comments
SAAD ALMADI
8/21/2016 07:29:29 pm

the mesh bag is used widly in saudi arabia I used it my self we are not happy with it but no coise the advantage is the air go through but we have big problem in saudi the berds roning the dates most of it been demaged spicialy the fers layer of the ATHGE the dates hanged and attached to the palm tree
thanx

Reply
Asher Dank
8/21/2016 09:11:55 pm

We produce net bags for date growers for more than 20 years . We developed a few kinds of bags for different use and in different prices .
Our net bags are made of polyethylene with UV stabilizer . One of the bags ,what we call "40 mesh "( 40 holes per inch) is very effective against birds and it does not allow any insect or pests to penetrate because of the small holes and in the same time allows for ventilation. Our bags are in use in Bard Valley Arizona near Yuma and in Coachella Valley Cal. near Indio for the sixth year now. Date growers who use our bags are very happy with them.
In recent years we also developed special "Rain Repellent" bags in which we condense the yarns in the top of the bag like this we create a kind of "a hat" which prevent around 90% of the rain water from entering into the bag and in the same time the net allows ventilation. Like this growers who use our bags enjoyed significant reduction in birds,insects and rain damage .
It all depends in the quality of the bags you use . Our bags are slightly more expensive but in the bottom line they save a lot of money . You are invited to ask date growers about our bags .
Regards
Asher Dank
CEO Geoty Ltd.
geoty@bezeqint.net

Reply
Sharon Miller
9/28/2017 12:20:26 pm

Can you direct me to someone who puts netting on date trees in La Quinta, Ca. We have 5 date trees that need to have netting and I don't know who to call. Sharon Miller

Reply
Asher Dank
9/28/2017 12:37:34 pm

Dear Sharon,
Please send me a mail to geoty@bezeqint.net and I will try to help.
Thanks
Asher

Reply



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