Light Requirements & Shade Cloth

[Ray]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

So I am really curious about this. As I said I had 60% towards the brightest sun of day, and 30% cloth just towards the last couple hours of sun.

Two layers of 30% shade does not equal 60%.

70% of the light passes through the first layer, and 70% of that passes through the second layer, resulting in 49% of the original, incident light passing, or 51% shade.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

I appreciate the concept of acclimation! So I should observe my plants, and see how they respond to weather. Thank you for this.

So I am really curious about this. As I said I had 60% towards the brightest sun of day, and 30% cloth just towards the last couple hours of sun. All the plants seemed okay.

The Angraecum had a couple singes only on the edge of two lower leaves on one side. Could this be the result of the whole plant receiving too much sun? Or is it my theory that the sun peeked around the shade cloth, on a tiny uncovered spot lol. I tend to think this, since there was no other damage on this plant and none on any others... Thank you again! Though I feel like I am asking too many questions!

---------- Post added 03-13-2022 at 12:01 AM ---------- Previous post was 03-12-2022 at 11:28 PM ----------

Oh, an addendum... I was just looking at my setup, and it looks like it's getting bright direct sun, through 30% in early-mid afternoon. If the plants are not showing signs of distress after one day, does that suggest their conditions are good? For the moment I'll place all behind 60% at least

You do not need, or want, to hit the plants with the maximum that they might or might not tolerate. If you're seeing singed edges, it's getting too much. And there is no benefit. For the Angraecum, even bright shade is fine. There is no benefit in toasting it. Again, the sun shifts. If it gets even a few minutes of direct sun it can get damaged. (I grow my Angcm sesquipedale in rather deep shade, and it blooms well.)

A note about habitat - even if the plants get high exposure in nature, there is lots of cloud cover most of the time. That's not true where you live. You have to provide the "clouds" with shading.

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by Ray

Two layers of 30% shade does not equal 60%.

70% of the light passes through the first layer, and 70% of that passes through the second layer, resulting in 49% of the original, incident light passing, or 51% shade.

Originally Posted by Roberta

You do not need, or want, to hit the plants with the maximum that they might or might not tolerate. If you're seeing singed edges, it's getting too much. And there is no benefit. For the Angraecum, even bright shade is fine. There is no benefit in toasting it. Again, the sun shifts. If it gets even a few minutes of direct sun it can get damaged. (I grow my Angcm sesquipedale in rather deep shade, and it blooms well.)

A note about habitat - even if the plants get high exposure in nature, there is lots of cloud cover most of the time. That's not true where you live. You have to provide the "clouds" with shading.

Thank you both so very much, again! That makes sense about the clouds. And thanks for clarifying about the doubled cloth. Fortunately I have not had burns thus far. I guess this is likely cause it still hasn’t gotten hot yet this year. Early Springs tend to be cool, and Summer lasts longer here. I definitely want to do things correctly.

So I would like a bit of advice. I am considering using 60% shade cloth for my collection, or one which is described as having a range of 60-70%, and also a simple 70%. I’m curious how the second one works. Roberta, you stated you have 60% over much of your yard, due to having other shade. I have no other shade, but I only have sun starting just before high noon. Which shade cloth would you all suggest, 60% or 60-70% (However that works haha)!? Or maybe a simple 70%, as I have no shade (though again only half the day, western and slightly southern exposure)!? I ask which to use year round, safe in Summer.

[Roberta]

The middle of my yard gets zero shade in summer, but the 60% is about right. I have corners (shaded by fence, the house, etc during at least part of the day) where the plants that need more shade go. If you don't have areas like that, then you will will want to use 70% in part where you put the plants that need more shade. You'll look at your yard in a new way. All spots aren't exactly the same, and you learn where the microclimates are.

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The middle of my yard gets zero shade in summer, but the 60% is about right. I have corners (shaded by fence, the house, etc during at least part of the day) where the plants that need more shade go. If you don't have areas like that, then you will will want to use 70% in part where you put the plants that need more shade. You'll look at your yard in a new way. All spots aren't exactly the same, and you learn where the microclimates are.

Interesting, I will look at my yard with new eyes, for microclimates...

So I should not be adventurous and get the 60-70%?

Still curious how that works!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

Interesting, I will look at my yard with new eyes, for microclimates...

So I should not be adventurous and get the 60-70%?

Still curious how that works!

I just put up the shade cloth on a support made of conduit (fittings come from swap meet, can be found online but shipping is expensive because they are heavy) I show a bit of that setup on my website. My patio I just used the existing structure for the shade cloth. My yard is sort of wide and narrow, running east-west. So the house on the south side provides some shade (very seasonal, lots in winter less in summer) from the sun as it swings south, the fence on the north side gives some all-year shade because the sun never comes from the north. When you are putting it up, remember to anchor well-- we do get heavy wind occasionally.

[Dimples]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

So I should not be adventurous and get the 60-70%?

Still curious how that works!

The 60-70% shade cloth product is likely providing the general range of shading percentage that the product can provide. Knitted shade cloth will have areas that are more dense and areas that are more open, and like a knitted blanket the fibers can shift around a bit so the shading won't always stay exactly the same day to day. Knitted SC can't be cut without unraveling. If it is damaged it will unravel. Knitted is generally cheaper and lighter weight but the anticipated lifespan is shorter.

Woven SC can be cut to size without unraveling and the light blocking stays consistent because the fibers can't shift (imagine a window screen made of thick fibers). There's still going to be a bit of variation in a woven panel. One area of a 70% panel could block 73% because the fibers were a little thicker and another area may only block 67%, but the % blocked by different parts of the panel will stay the same.

The shade cloth market is full of iffy quality products as well as good quality items. Cheap knitted shade cloth won't last long. If I have to buy online I only buy heavy duty woven and sometimes it still gets returned because it looks like it's made of plastic Easter grass from the 90s.

Also, the listed dimensions of homeowner-grade SC won't always be spot on but will be near enough for most applications. In my experience, you should expect a 4-8" deviation to the stated dimensions for non-professional shade cloth panels bought online (amazon, etc.). If you need a very specific size you'll want to buy from a reputable company that can cut to fit for your needs.

[Roberta]

I get my shadecloth (I do use Aluminet) from Shade Cloth Store | High Quality, Lowest Prices Available Online
They have some standard sizes but can do custom sizes, their turnaround for the custom work is about 10 days - fast. I recommend getting the edges taped... adds a bit to the cost but adds to the durability. They'll do grommets too... I have given up on that because my situation allows for anchor points everywhere, and I just put zip ties through the shadecloth and around the taped edge, works well for me.

---------- Post added at 11:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:45 AM ----------

Another note about microclimates... in addition to subtle differences in light, you also have them for temperature. A block wall or the house walls absorb heat during the day in winter, and gently radiate it at night. So in those places, you can get away with orchids that are marginal for cold-tolerance. I know people in my area that even get away with Phals outside in winter, next to the house. I don't do that... but other things such as some Vandas will handle temps far below their "ratings" especially if dry, in places like that.

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by Dimples

The 60-70% shade cloth product is likely providing the general range of shading percentage that the product can provide. Knitted shade cloth will have areas that are more dense and areas that are more open, and like a knitted blanket the fibers can shift around a bit so the shading won't always stay exactly the same day to day. Knitted SC can't be cut without unraveling. If it is damaged it will unravel. Knitted is generally cheaper and lighter weight but the anticipated lifespan is shorter.

Woven SC can be cut to size without unraveling and the light blocking stays consistent because the fibers can't shift (imagine a window screen made of thick fibers). There's still going to be a bit of variation in a woven panel. One area of a 70% panel could block 73% because the fibers were a little thicker and another area may only block 67%, but the % blocked by different parts of the panel will stay the same.

The shade cloth market is full of iffy quality products as well as good quality items. Cheap knitted shade cloth won't last long. If I have to buy online I only buy heavy duty woven and sometimes it still gets returned because it looks like it's made of plastic Easter grass from the 90s.

Also, the listed dimensions of homeowner-grade SC won't always be spot on but will be near enough for most applications. In my experience, you should expect a 4-8" deviation to the stated dimensions for non-professional shade cloth panels bought online (amazon, etc.). If you need a very specific size you'll want to buy from a reputable company that can cut to fit for your needs.

So good to know... should I get white SC?

[Roberta]

Consider Aluminet (made from aluminized Mylar). It provides even shade, and also reflects heat as well as light away from the growing area - I find it noticeably cooler under the Aluminet than adjoining "regular" shade cloth. And it even helps a bit in winter, reflecting ground heat back to the plants.