Shading for Vandas

[jan9]

Hi,

I am a new member and would like some information on shading a greenhouse for vandas. I have a southern exposure, one side is enclosed from the house and one side has a tree that gives it some shade. I am going to leave a vent on the top for the heat to go out and one panel on one side I will also leave open for ventilation. I also live in the Florida Keys. I have read online that the shade cloth should be any were from 25-40%. My friend that gave me the vandas had regular bug screening except she lost her screen on the top and the leaves started to suffer. My thought was to use 40% on top and regular bug screen on the sides. Should I just use the 40% all around?
Any help would be appreciated I can't afford to shade it more than once!
Thanks

[sadiejoy08]

That sounds very specific to where you are located and just how much sun you get... I would see if there is a society in a similar climate to you that could be more helpful than me (we are always looking for more sun here in the PNW).

Good luck!

Sadie
IncredibleOrchids on Ebay

[Junebug]

Hi Jan,

I live in Central Florida and grow my chids in a variety of outdoor locations including a slat roofed shade house. I'm not much help when it comes to suggesting grades of shade cloth, but the shape of your Vanda's leaves should help you determine how much sun is required.

Terete leaved Vandas have narrow pencil shaped leaves and can tolerate several hours of full sun although I would be cautious about exposing them to too much direct mid-day sun.

Strap leaved varieties are more common and they have flat leaves which require less sun and more of a dappled shade exposure. Some strap leaved varieties are more sun sensitive than others. I've found that blue varieties burn easily and require the least amount of sunlight.

Semi-Terete leaves are not pencil or strap shaped but lie somewhere in between. They require more sun than the strap and less than the terete. My semi-terete thrives in full a.m. E/SE exposure and is shaded from all direct mid day sun.

I hope this was helpful.