Compairing shadecloth colours?

[breeindy]

Iv'e heard alot of peoples opinions on the best colour shadecloth to use over orchids. Greens the most seen so i'd have thought it would be the best? Alot of growers swear by black saying its there plants grow better than under green? Anyone have a opinion? What colour do you use?

[Ray]

In order of preference:

1. Silver (aluminized mylar (Aluminet)), as it reflects the light, rather than absorbing it and turning into heat.
2. White, absorbs some, but little heat generation. Reflects some light through mesh, and that light passing through is still white, so the plant gets all wavelengths.
3. Black - generates heat, reflects little, but the passing light is still "pure".
4. Green - I actually recommend against using it. More heat generation than white, less than black, but the reflected light that passes through is green, a color the plants simply don't need.

[Don Perusse]

I do use black but do use an additional cover of tan shade cloth over the center of my greenhouse during the really heat of the summer months. Keeping in mind that I do live in the deep south, SW Georgia. Works great for me tho I've never done a study as to which would be better tho black was recommended by the mfg. of my g/h.

[orchidsamore]

I am a commercial grower and have used or have other nurseries that used them all.

Black is common and the cheapest and lasts the longest.

Aliminet when used over plastic can lower temps 20% in summer and hot 20% more in winter. Very effective but twice the costs of Black.

The others mentioned are just colors with no effect.

White is often used for winterizing shade houses.

Red and Blue not mentioned before are the newest materials and will allow you to grow in higher light levels without burn than black. It allows the light wave lengths needed by the plant while blocking dangerous UV. 60% aliminet or blue or red will protect the same plants needing 70% black.

More light more flowers is the sales pitch, but again almost twice the price of black and only a 5 year life as opposed 12 years for black.

By the way be sure when buying any that they are woven non-fraying types. The literature should say you can cut it with scissors without unraveling. That is a problem you want to avoid.

[Don Perusse]

Thanks Jerry, some very good info. Especially for me in the deep south where it is sooooo hot!

[orchidsamore]

The web site of my wholesaler is SignatureSupplyonLine.com he has more information about each and comparisons.

He has a woman local that specializes in remnants and is willing to work with hobbyist on smaller pieces. I have phone number somewhere and could find it if anyone needed it.

I have never done any shows out the Tallahassee way. Let me know if there is an orchid show at which I should be a vendor.