Shadecloth question - Orchid Board

peeweelovesbooks · #1 10-10-2011, 08:39 PM

I have to buy shadecloth to put on top of my shelves and protect the plants. My plants get VERY bright sun throughout the day. Was wondering what % of shadecloth do I need?

50%??

I grow Laelias (anceps, purpuratas) a smattering of species catts (Lobata, maxima, warscewiczii, iricolor, skinneri) primary hybrids (guatemalensis) and vandaceous (Aerides, Vanda Miss Joaquim)).

also, is aluminet better than black?

Eyebabe · #2 10-10-2011, 10:42 PM

I have about 30% on my glass roof which has 10% in the glass.
I would think 50% as my rooftop summer light was still a bit too bright imo.
My side windows had 65% (none in glass) and that was slightly too much over summer and way to much when the fall came in Sept.
I got high density polypropylene which is a "woven" type of material.
My goal was to have it last

My working plan is to keep the 30% (total 40%) over winter with no shade on the side windows.
Next summer, I may have to up the roof shade a bit and will pull the side shades as needed...

I grow cattleya hybrids and species with a smattering of other stuff

My token phals sit in naturally shaded areas of the greenhouse and will soon come indoors to escape the cooler temps (low 60's) I will run over winter.

peeweelovesbooks · #3 10-10-2011, 10:52 PM

Eyebabe, you crack me up.

My orchid tastes haven't evolved, evidently. I was looking at my collection the other day and thought to myself, "girl you need to get some hybrids up in here to balance out the stubborness of species!" But hybrids are so FLOOFY (I say this while spitting on the ground).

SNORT.

I think I'm going with aluminet but your setup sounds a lot more complicated than mine. I love the "token phal" comment too.

isurus79 · #4 10-11-2011, 12:50 AM

50% is pretty standard. When I was in Hawaii, most people had 50-60% and the sun is much stronger there than where you are at. I used to grow my orchids in trees and I estimated my coverage at about 40-50%. Aluminet is awesome too! I'm using it here in Texas and it got my orchids through 110 degree temps in full sun. I can't say enough good stuff about it because it is good at reflecting heat as well as light.

nlm2951 · #5 10-11-2011, 10:25 AM

For Miami I have 60%, got in the internet at catalog clearance, it comes all around finished, very good price.

Ray · #6 10-11-2011, 10:45 AM

Here in PA, I went with 35% Aluminet, and that seems to have been pretty good. Parkside uses 35% over the winter and doubles that in the summer, but with my hillside and large trees, I don't get quite the influx than an open area does.

Best place to buy Aluminet, as far as I could find, is Gothic Arch Greenhouses.

orchidsamore · #7 10-18-2011, 02:52 PM

There is more involved than the number on the label.

The light transmission will vary on how tight the cloth is pulled across the frame. For me 65% stretched came out to 55% when installed. That was converted to a Vanda house.

70% draped put not pulled tight came out to 77%. I thought it would be darker than i wanted for Cattleya but they have thrived.

Nothing replaces a light meter.

Also sunlight in Hawaii is much less bright than Florida and many other places. It is an Island and almost always has cloud cover. My Nobile Dendrobium vendor grows with no shade cloth in full sun.

Everyone here ave you advice that is general but your location is only one place and has specific needs. I was amazed when I talked to a local shadecloth provider (his only business) and he gave me all the pros and cons.

My wife still tells me I should have taken his adivce and bought aluminet. The next shadehouse will be aluminet. When purchasing aluminet buy 10% more light than you think you need. The heat reflection will allow you to grow with more sun and less leaf burn.

Aluminet is twice the price of black shadecloth and does not last as long. I know many greenhouse with the same cloth for 20 years but aluminet seems to go around 10 years.

isurus79 · #8 10-18-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsamore

Also sunlight in Hawaii is much less bright than Florida and many other places. It is an Island and almost always has cloud cover. My Nobile Dendrobium vendor grows with no shade cloth in full sun.

lol Interesting line of thought. Not to be nit picky, but Hawaii is at 19 degrees North and Miami is at 25 degrees North, therefore the sun is stronger in Hawaii. You nobile vendor probably grows at about 2,000 foot elevation, in the heart of the Big Island, so yes, he will have a lot of cloud cover and cooler temps. But most people live on the coast, on the leeward side of most islands and don't have much cloud cover at all. We do agree, however, that aluminet is great!! lol

nlm2951 · #9 10-19-2011, 09:49 AM

Hi Orchidsamore: My shadecloth is pulled very good and the plastic to protect them from rain and cold.I have lost a lot of the oncidums, I noticed that the roots were dry and the pseudobulbs were soft and shriveled, leaves drop, turn yellow. I had mentioned this to other people, they don't know I have an orchid house, very good done, I take good care the orchids, my friend have them with no care at all, and they are ok, I spray for fertilizing,fungal and insects.They are inpotting medium of lava rocks and ch, good drain.Whats going on with them?

orchidsamore · #10 10-19-2011, 04:12 PM

nlm

I find that I can grow my Oncidium with my Vanda while my Cattleya do not like that much light.

With plastic over the shadecloth I think your problem stems from lack of air circulation.

Wind currents in Florida are North to South and that is the orientation the greenhouse should have. It needs to be able to be opened at the ends for circulation. If you can not open them, then strong circulation fans are necessary.

Your rot problems I would think stem move from lack of air movement then from light levels. Too much light would burn the leaves not rot the pseudobulbs.