Cymbidiums + Summer + Shade cloth %

[empiref]

Hello all.

I want to ask for your expert opinions on this matter.
I grow my orchids on a west facing balcony and they are doing well, but it is getting a bit crowded on the balcony.

I was thinking of building a shade house for my orchids in the summer, from late May to mid-October. I have everything figured out because of posts on this forum.

The only thing I am not sure of is the shade cloth. Posts on this forum suggest 70% shade and Australian nurseries that specialize in Cyms suggest 50% shade cloth.

I live in a Mediterranean country, altitude around 650 m above sea level. Maximum summer temp can reach 32 degrees Celsius.

Can I grow my Cym seedlings under the same shade cloth as well?

Thank you all in advance and for your help.

[Cym Ladye]

How much to shade is always a question and much can be trial and error. However, when I use shade cloth, I grow my seedlings under 70% and my blooming size plants under 50%. Most of my plants are grown under very large oak trees with no additional shade provided, as one would expect. Many get full sun for several hours in the morning with no ill effects.

It is the heat and bright light of full afternoon sun which causes the burned tops of the leaves and contributes to fried leaf tips because the plants dry out too much sending salts to the tips.

CL

[greengarden]

I have similar conditions and would go for the 50