Shade cloth
 

First of all, a brief introduction. I have only just recently discovered orchids and am thinking about starting with something easier to care for like Paphiopedilums. I'm wanting to grow outside to beautify my yard, but want to make sure my orchids are well protected against the heat of the Texas summer. This summer hasn't been patrticularly bad due to the rain, but last summer was killer, and unless we fix decades of global warming, I anticipate the next few years will be worse.

:idea: I was Googling fabrics and found a company that has a reflective cloth that claims to block 95% of the heat. This product sounds like it would be super for use instead of shade cloth for heat retention or reflection which is what I would be interested in. The site shows many uses like tents and tarps.

:scratchhead: I'm almost skeptical because it sounds too good to be true. Have any of you ever used something like this? What would you recommend? I would appreciate your suggestions.:hmm

The website is: Temptrol™ light weight, flexible radiant reflecting insulating fabric.

I could be wrong, but if you spread a sheet of that above your plants, it looks to me like they would be in 100% shade, which is too much for any plant. You do need to let some light though!

Look into Aluminet. It is a shade cloth made of aluminized Mylar, so does reflect light away to a major extent. Folks using it as a replacement for black or white shade cloth have reported 10°-15° lower temperatures in their greenhouses.

As an aside, I don't know how good an idea it is to grow paphs outdoors in Texas. Your ambient temperatures are likely to be on the high side for them.

I've been very happy with Aluminet on my greenhouse, and as Ray says, the amount of heat transmitted has been reduced by the reflective property. Of course, black shade cloth absorbs heat which exacerbates the problem. This is an excellent product!

That makes a lot of sence. :idea: An aluminet shade cloth dispersing the light and heat should help.:biggrin: I'll try it. By the way, would an Epidendrum be a better orchid for the Texas heat? I saw another website where someone from the area had one and its flowers were absolutely beautiful.

I use Aluminet on my greenhouse works great.. Gin

Reflecting light away will cool the greenhouse effect. Such as with clouds and global warming.
But as with any greenhouse effect, the sun in Tx will be the major factor.
watch video... The Great Global Warming Swindle
:biggrin:

PS. I forgot how good that video is.

Well, just a thought, what if I did reflect the heat out and completely block the light, and then use my own lamps?

If I used something double sided, I could reflect and disperse the light on the inside, it should be better than if direct light were on it.

Essentially, couldn't I then create my own climate and grow what ever I wanted?:scratchhead:

Just a quick thought or two: the lights would generate more heat.

You cannot "block out" the ambient heat from a greenhouse.

Just how much money have you got to waste?

I'm not looking to waste any money. I'm trying to find ways to save money. I just thought, by thinking outside the box, I might think of something nobody's tried. I probably should have realized, if nobody's tried it, there's a reason. I just want to have a good plan before I start - something easier and more efficient. Since Aluminet comes so highly recommended, I guess there's no reason to try anything else.

Thanks.:)

If you're thinking of growing with lights you may as well set up your grow station in the house. Then you wouldn't need the shade cloth. If you want to grow outside then shade cloth is a necessity in a hot area. If you really want to manage your environment more install a misting system. That would really take the edge off the heat.:nod: