What percent shade cloth should I buy for low light plants? - Orchid Board

My Green Pets · #1 05-01-2015, 11:26 PM

I'm moving all my orchids outside soon and would like to know what percent shade cloth to get to go over them. I already have a 40% cloth which I hope will be ok for the high light plants, but I'm not sure if I should get 60, 70, or 80 for my Phals, Paphs, and other low light plants. Any suggestions?

ilikeorchids · #2 05-02-2015, 03:28 AM

I suggest 70-80% because these plants has light ranges from 1000-1500 footcandles or slightly more

Brooke · #3 05-02-2015, 04:33 PM

I use an 80% shade cloth on the inside of the g/h in my Phal area. BUT outside over the roof and west wall (which is where the Phals are located, I have a 50% and then for the three hot months have an additional 30% over the 50% cloth.

You probably should consider adding an additional shade cloth over the 40% if the area is in full sun.

Brooke

My Green Pets · #4 05-03-2015, 03:24 AM

Thank you! Don't want anything getting burnt.

RJSquirrel · #5 05-03-2015, 11:21 PM

70% most of the year. I take it off completely late november thru march. nothing gets burned.

The Orchidist · #6 05-04-2015, 12:11 AM

Does anyone know where to buy this shade cloth in canada ? 60 or 70 % since we are talking percentages.

lotis146 · #7 07-15-2015, 12:47 AM

A little late to this party I see but haven't needed any shade cloth until the last several weeks I'd say.

I was going to get 30-40 for part of my deck that receives direct afternoon light b/c I don't want to rob my plants of bright light but I also don't want to burn them anymore than I have. That said the side of the deck that's against the house I don't think gets enough light and then there's the middle area that I feel is decent for plants like my Colm. Masai Red, Bllra. Tahoma Glacier, Wils. & more including Pabstia (Colax), Prom, Tolumnia...

But I'm seeing here talk of 70-80... The plants currently in full afternoon sun - don't slap me too hard - are a dozen or so mini Catts, Slc. Jewel Box 'Dark Waters', Miltonia hybrid (just moved this back a bit b/c it's color is way too yellow), Miltassia Shelob (also moved now b/c leaves getting some really like green/yellow), Zygolum (also moved), a couple rodrumnia hybrids (but they're under all the mini Catts so they already get some shade), Lc. Aloha Bleu 'Basket O'Blue', Lc. Elfin Blue 'Mini Symphony' (well this one got moved back a bit some weeks ago), & Ascocenda Merrill Sum Wah.

Thanks in advance!

katrina · #8 07-15-2015, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotis146

A little late to this party I see but haven't needed any shade cloth until the last several weeks I'd say.

I was going to get 30-40 for part of my deck that receives direct afternoon light b/c I don't want to rob my plants of bright light but I also don't want to burn them anymore than I have. That said the side of the deck that's against the house I don't think gets enough light and then there's the middle area that I feel is decent for plants like my Colm. Masai Red, Bllra. Tahoma Glacier, Wils. & more including Pabstia (Colax), Prom, Tolumnia...

But I'm seeing here talk of 70-80... The plants currently in full afternoon sun - don't slap me too hard - are a dozen or so mini Catts, Slc. Jewel Box 'Dark Waters', Miltonia hybrid (just moved this back a bit b/c it's color is way too yellow), Miltassia Shelob (also moved now b/c leaves getting some really like green/yellow), Zygolum (also moved), a couple rodrumnia hybrids (but they're under all the mini Catts so they already get some shade), Lc. Aloha Bleu 'Basket O'Blue', Lc. Elfin Blue 'Mini Symphony' (well this one got moved back a bit some weeks ago), & Ascocenda Merrill Sum Wah.

Thanks in advance!

I'm in central Ohio so if your sun is stronger than what I get here you might need to adjust a bit but I use 40% for the catasetum, 50% for cattleyas and many other high light plants.

My lower light plants are on an east facing front porch and get direct sun until 10 am or so and then it's just bright the rest of the day but if I grew them in a more full sun area then I would likely use at least 90%. Or, depending on where I was using it, I might use one of those light colored sun sails for my phals and other much lower light plants. My neighbor has one over their deck and it's still very bright but no direct sun...I think it would be perfect for phals. Just a thought.

BTW - Some catts can take full sun...I grow several that way. I never could bloom the rupics until I started growing them in full sun during the summer.

One little tip to keep in mind for most catts...if the leaves are upright and slender/slender-ish (think Brassavola) then the plants can take more light than the wide, flatter, more out-reaching type leaves. Less surface area for the leaf to absorb the light/heat means they can take more and most likely come from an area where they get more light. Leaves that are wider/bigger and more out reaching have evolved to have more surface area for light and they burn much easier when exposed to too much sun.

My Green Pets · #9 07-15-2015, 08:23 PM

To follow up on my original post, my shade house now is half 50% and half 85%. Catts, Vandas, Catasetum, Phragmipedium, Max ten and Oncidiums are under the 50%, Phals, Paphs, and little project plant A. monticola under the shadier side. Bulbos and Brassia in the middle part.

Everything looks good although several Paphs look like they are getting the maximum they can tolerate.