Question about shadecloth - Orchid Board

peeweelovesbooks · #1 04-17-2010, 04:39 PM

Hi peeps,

A carpenter is building two custom stadium shelving units for my cattleyas and Laelias. I want to incorporate into the design a shadecloth canopy.

I have Laelia anceps and rupicolous Laelias, with the random renanthera and cattleya hybrids.

However, I'm not too sure what I should get and where I should purchase it. I live in Miami, and the area where I am going to place the shelves gets full sun during most of the day.

I would really appreciate your help on this one.

Thanks peeps.

M-

got ants · #2 04-17-2010, 08:32 PM

M, First thing you need to decide is what type of protection you need. Like 60 percent or 70 percent. If you need more in certain areas, you can always double the cloth up.

Example, most of what you have is 60 percent, but you double up the cloth in one area, and now its 84 percent. Good if you have some paphs or phrags.

Next you need to decide how the super structure is going to be built to hold the shade cloth. Wood framed is easiest, but most commercial growers use metal like galvanized fence pipe.

There are many places online where you can order it to your specs (I highly recommend this).

What is the size and where in your yard are you going to put this?

peeweelovesbooks · #3 04-17-2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by got ants

M, First thing you need to decide is what type of protection you need. Like 60 percent or 70 percent. If you need more in certain areas, you can always double the cloth up.

Example, most of what you have is 60 percent, but you double up the cloth in one area, and now its 84 percent. Good if you have some paphs or phrags.

Next you need to decide how the super structure is going to be built to hold the shade cloth. Wood framed is easiest, but most commercial growers use metal like galvanized fence pipe.

There are many places online where you can order it to your specs (I highly recommend this).

What is the size and where in your yard are you going to put this?

Hi there. he is going to build two 3 foot stadium shelves for me, each with 4 tiers.

It's going to be made from marine-treated wood, and it's going to go in my backyard. I grow some catts, but mostly Laelia anceps, rupicolous laelias and renantheras. So, all of them are sun loving plants.

I wanted to know what % shade cloth I need to get. The area gets full sun the entire day.

The plants now get mostly VERY bright light to full sun the entire day--but they are on shelves so the cattleyas are on the lower shelves--and get less light, than the renantheras and laelia anceps, which are on the top shelves.

Austin Powers · #4 04-17-2010, 08:39 PM

I recently put up 'shadecloth' in my south/southwest windows to lower the intensity of the direct afternoon sun. My thought was to use a fabric that is quite sheer, or very light. This seems to be allowing a lot of light through, but diffuses the direct rays pretty well. It is not too hot up north yet, but on sunny days it seems to works well. I use a fan of course because it can still get pretty hot in the area even with the sheers. I simply went to a fabric store and got white sheer material and spring rods, it was cheap. I am hoping it is adequate in the heat and intensity of the summer, I can't be moving my plants around all the time to avoid the direct sun.
Good luck,
Stephen

dounoharm · #5 04-17-2010, 09:02 PM

i suggest the aluminet shadecloth, its reflective of the heat, and will be easier on your orchids....i have always heard that 60% shade was the best for general use.....and i use that most the year, i add a 30% piece over top of that in july aug sept for the area of the gh that houses the paphs and such....i am in central nc.....hope this helps, gl

Leisurely · #6 04-18-2010, 05:58 PM

I would use 40% shade if I were you. Everything you are growing should do quite well, even the renantheras. Aluminet does reduce the heat a little but it is silver in color and not very attractive to look at. The black shade cloth is more esthetically pleasing.

natasha · #7 04-19-2010, 12:35 AM

please put in picture after its done... i really should be thinking having a shade house...

Connie Star · #8 04-19-2010, 02:34 PM

I am wondering about shade cloth, too. I am hoping to put most of my orchids outside in another 4-6 weeks, in New England, in a south facing yard with some trees that are too dense (evergreens) to rely on for filtering sun light. I have some burlap- does anyone know how much sun that filters? My husband is (hopefully) building a platform with shelves for me. Backyard is very hilly, too. I have a mixture of plants and will leave the masdevalias indoors.

Leisurely · #9 04-19-2010, 05:17 PM

Burlap will provide too much shade. If 40% shade cloth is good for Miami area it will surely be adequate for Ma.

BikerDoc5968 · #10 04-19-2010, 05:46 PM

I have purchased shade cloth from this vendor (Shade Cloth). He has ready-made and custom made sizes in all the popular % shade, materials and colors. Then do you want knitted or woven? He has what I found to be the best pricing on the internet... and for the most part shade cloth is shade cloth... product for product. Of course you can purchase just the material and cut and tape and install grommets yourself and save some $$$.