Shadecloth questions

[theredhead]

I stumbled upon a quick solution a couple of weeks ago. In playing with my new light meter, I had discovered there was a bit too much light for my catt, even when I slid the screen over to that side. I discovered that a layer of thick clingwrap cut down and diffused the light enough for my purposes, without covering up the patio slider.

-the redhead-

[Gin]

I use 60%...... for those that want less, I use fiber glass black screen door wire over head to shade them more. Gin

[cabbo]

Originally Posted by Gin

I use 60% for those that want less I use fiber glass black screen door wire over head to shade them . Gin

By less do you mean the screen blocks less than 60% or less sun. Its a great idea. I guess what I'm asking is how much do you think the screen blocks, not much I would imagine.

[Bob2741]

Shade cloth shades from sun by 6o%

[rogerman]

I grow a variety of Orchids....Vanda,Catt., Phal, Den and rhyncostilis.... I have a varying need of sun as well. For my shadehouse I use 50% shade, but on the side with seedings i have two layers going at 90 degrees from each other....Works well.

Here we have high degrees of sun and temp.

[Gin]

I went back and corrected what I typed. I meant I use 60 % shade cloth but for plants that want more shade the fiber glass screen is added i have no idea just how much it blocks % wise .. Gin

[Bob2741]

I found some black fiberglass window screen thats 48" wide and 25' long it was called something for the smallest Bugs I believe it is close to 60% or a little more at Lowes. I have it mounted on the inside of the greenhouse on the southern side, does a great job. I think it was 12 or 15 dollars

[Jerry Delaney]

It really depends on a lot of factors. For example, the covering I have on my larger greenhouse only has ~83% light transmission so I am only using 40% shade cloth here in the southern end of the San Joaquin valley in CA. We average ~30 to 40 days of 100 degree +. My smaller house has covering that allows ~97% light transmission so I am using 55% shade on that house. The best way is to get a good light meter and use that to determine what you need. Also, remember that those of us who use shade cloth instead of the paint on type shading have the correct amount of light twice a year. I'm not sure I agree with that, but I'm not about to go painting that stuff on when it's 110 outside!!

[orchidsamore]

Before you cover any window get a light meter and measure the light.

Most windows block as much as 50% of the sun, especially if there are UV filtering element added to the glass.

Any guess of how much to reduce the light before measuring is just rolling the dice.

My windows in Florida, where windows are often tinted, never measure over 1000 foot candles. You have to measure what you have before you start.

Light meters are cheap under $30.

As to colors there is scientific literature that orchids only use specific colors of the light spectrum. Red and Blue shadecloth are supposed to be able to allow higher light levels without burning the plants. The bad point is that the fabric in red or blue only lasts 3-5 years and black can last 20.

[Bolero]

As per my other post I would use 70% sandstone coloured cloth for my Oncid's, Catt's and Den's. I have a bit more shade for Paphs and Masdevallias during the summer months.