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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Addressing your most pressing concerns

1. Products & Materials

Q1. What does Maohong actually manufacture?
We are a manufacturer integrating R&D, production and sales of garden support products. Our range covers six categories: plastic-coated steel pipes in multiple specifications, plastic-coated trellises and flower baskets, wrought-iron trellises and flower baskets, connectors, fasteners, and mesh fabric products. Every part of the system — tubes, joints, clips and netting — is produced or sourced in-house, so a trellis, a plant cage and a balcony frame can all come from one supplier.
Q2. What is a plastic-coated (PE-coated) tube made of?
A Carbon Structural Steel wire core, coated with a PE layer. The steel core carries the load; the PE sheath keeps moisture away from the metal and gives the product its colour and smooth, plant-safe finish. We stock diameters of 8mm, 11 mm, 16 mm and 20mm as standard, with other diameters available on request.
Q3. Why choose plastic-coated steel over a plain iron or bamboo trellis?
Four reasons, and they are the ones buyers ask about most:
  • No rust, no staining — the PVC layer isolates the steel from rain, soil and irrigation water, so no rust runs onto walls, tiles or paving. A painted iron trellis starts to blister at the welds within one or two seasons outdoors.
  • No splinters or snags — unlike bamboo or wood, the smooth coating will not splinter, rot or grow mould, and it will not cut plant stems or a gardener's hands.
  • Higher strength-to-weight ratio — a 16 mm coated tube carries a heavy tomato or climbing-rose load while staying light enough for one person to reposition.
  • Colour that matches the garden — dark green, black and custom RAL colours blend into foliage instead of standing out like bare galvanised wire.
Q4. Which product suits which job?
  • Garden support stakes (11/16 mm) — single plants, tomatoes, peppers, young trees; supplied with clips.
  • Plant climbing frames — 4-pole sets in 90/120/150/180/210 cm with 8–12 clips; cucumbers, beans, clematis.
  • Climbing-vine trellises — wall and fence mounting for roses, ivy, grapes.
  • Iron fence flower racks & balcony racks — decorative floor-standing and railing-mounted units (e.g. 210×40 cm panels, 118×38 cm bird-motif panels, black powder-coated).
  • Connectors, fasteners & mesh — building a frame to your own dimensions, or repairing an existing structure.
Q5. Can the products be used outdoors all year and indoors?
Yes. The plastic-coated range is designed for outdoor use in gardens, greenhouses, balconies and allotments, and is equally suitable indoors for houseplants and window displays. Wrought-iron items are powder-coated for outdoor decorative use; we recommend the coated range for coastal or high-humidity sites.
Q6. Are the products safe around edible crops?
The PE coating is inert and does not leach into soil or irrigation water in normal use. It contains no timber treatment chemicals, so there is no risk of preservative transfer to fruit or vegetables — a common concern with treated wooden stakes.

2. Performance & Service Life

Q7. How long will the products last?
Under normal outdoor conditions we rate the plastic-coated range at 5–7 years, and the powder-coated wrought-iron range at 3–5 years. Actual life depends on UV exposure, coastal salt spray, and whether the coating is physically damaged. In a greenhouse or under partial shade, service life is typically longer.
Q8. What load can a frame carry?
As a working guide: an 11 mm stake comfortably supports a single tomato or pepper plant in full fruit; a 16 mm pole set with our clips holds a mature climbing rose or a cucumber row. For heavy crops or long spans we recommend adding a cross-brace or reducing pole spacing to 1 m.
Q9. Will the colour fade?
The coating is UV-stabilised, so colour holds well through several seasons. As with any polymer, some lightening occurs over years of direct sun; dark green and black show it least. We do not recommend painting or solvent-cleaning the coating.
Q10. How should the products be stored and cleaned?
Store flat and dry, out of prolonged direct sun, and avoid stacking heavy items on the tubes. Clean with water and a mild detergent; do not use abrasive pads, wire brushes or solvents. Small scuffs on wrought-iron items can be touched up with matching enamel to prevent rust creep.

3. OEM, ODM & Customisation

Q11. Do you support OEM orders?
Yes — OEM is a core part of our business. We can produce to your drawing or sample, with your brand, colour and packaging. Typical scope:
  • Custom tube diameter (from 8 mm up), length and wall thickness
  • Custom coating colour (RAL / Pantone matched, MOQ applies)
  • Custom clip, connector and netting mesh size
  • Logo printing on tubes, clips or headers
  • Custom retail packaging — colour box, hang tag, barcode, instruction sheet, and multi-language labels
Q12. Do you offer neutral / unbranded packing?
Yes. Neutral packing is available — plain cartons, no factory name or logo, no printed inner bags. This is standard for trading companies, private-label sellers and distributors who ship under their own brand. We can also print your branding details on the carton as required.
Q13. Can I get samples before ordering?
Yes. Stock samples are normally provided free of charge; the buyer covers courier cost, which is credited against the first bulk order. Customised samples (own colour, own logo) are charged at a sample fee plus courier, and the fee is refunded on orders above the agreed quantity. Sample lead time is typically 5–7 working days for stock items.
Q14. Can you develop a new product for us?
Yes. Send a sketch, photo or physical sample and we will return a drawing, material proposal and quotation. Tooling for new connectors or clips usually takes 15–25 days. We can sign an NDA before receiving drawings.
Q15. Can you supply the full system, not just one part?
That is our advantage. A complete kit — tubes, connectors, clips, netting and ground spikes — can be packed as one retail-ready set with a single barcode, which simplifies your listing and reduces the number of suppliers you manage.

4. Trade Terms, Orders & Logistics

Q16. What trade terms do you support?
EXW, FOB (Ningbo / Shanghai), CIF and CFR. For first orders we generally recommend FOB, since it keeps freight and risk clearly separated. DAP&DDP can be discussed for repeat customers with stable volumes.
Q17. What payment terms are accepted?
  • Samples and trial orders: 100% T/T in advance
  • Bulk orders: 30% deposit, 70% balance before shipment
  • Q18. What are your lead times?
    Stock items: 7–15 days after deposit. Customised production: 25–35 days after sample approval and deposit. Peak season (February–May, ahead of the European and North American gardening season) should be booked 4–6 weeks earlier.
    Q19. Which ports and shipping methods do you use?
    Loading from Ningbo or Shanghai. Full containers (20GP/40GP/40HQ) are most economical for poles; LCL is possible for trial orders. We can also arrange air freight for samples and urgent small lots.
    Q20. How are long poles packed to avoid damage and high freight?
    Tubes are bundled with strapping and packed in double-wall cartons or woven bags, with end caps to protect the coating. For 210 cm poles we offer carton lengths aligned to container internal dimensions so the load is not wasted; knockdown or two-piece poles can be quoted if your market prefers compact parcels.
    Q21. What documents can you provide?
    Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin (including Form A / FTA certificates where applicable), material and test reports, and fumigation-free declaration. If you have a forwarder or a customs broker with specific requirements, tell us at order stage.
    Q22. Do you export to my market already?
    Our products ship to Europe, North America, Australia, Japan and Southeast Asia, through both distributors and e-commerce sellers. We can share relevant packaging and compliance experience for your market on request. (Specify current certifications — e.g. REACH, RoHS, BSCI, ISO 9001 — only if held.)
    Q23. How do I place an order?
    Send your enquiry with item, size, colour, quantity and destination port to info@mh-gardening.com, or use the form on our Contact page. We reply with a quotation within one working day; on confirmation we issue a proforma invoice, collect the deposit and schedule production.

    5. After-Sales & Claims

    Q24. What happens if goods arrive damaged or short?
    Notify us within 7 days of container arrival with photos of the cartons, the pallet label and the damaged items. We replace or credit short or defective quantities in the next shipment, or refund by agreement. Transport damage should also be noted on the delivery receipt so the claim can be raised with the carrier.
    Q25. Can I visit the factory or have a third-party inspection?
    Yes. Factory visits are welcome — please book at least three working days in advance. Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TÜV, or your own QC) is accepted at any production stage; we will provide the sample quantity and access needed.
    Q26. Who do I contact for technical questions?
    Email info@mh-gardening.com or call +86-573-88885939 (08:00–17:00 CST/UTC+8, Monday–Saturday). For sizing, load or installation questions, a photo of the site or the plant helps us answer precisely.