Greenhouse shading

[HighSeas]

I'm in Central Florida...and yes, the sun is hotter here. I have good circulation though and I can also mist a bit to drop the temps. My plants seem to love it...along with the humidity.

[Orchidbyte]

I'm in Los Angeles and use 40% from March - October, I remove shade cloth from November - April. I have small GH that is double wall clear type, I know that orchids need more sun then most people give them credit for. So in my GH plants that need more light are placed near walls that get direct light no shading, with similar light condition ones mounted and hanging above and on sides. Shade lovers are placed more on the insides of tables and mounted ones are are lower, the floor of my GH is made up of assorted ferns, bromeliads and other deep shade lovers.

I also use a product called aluminet for my shade cloth it helps to keep heat inside GH down, maybe?

[Ray]

Don't forget that there is more to shade selection than geography. Size of greenhouse - height specifically- plays a role as well.

I intentionally built a tall greenhouse, so the glazing-to-plant distance is greater. As plants perceive the glazing as the "source" of the light, and as the intensity drops off as the distance increases, phals on my benches don't burn, even with no shade cloth, while vandaceous plants hung up high get the light levels they prefer.


Ray Barkalow (via Tapatalk)

[dennisl142]

Ray.
Have u used a light meter in the different areas of ur GH to see what is the greatest amount at noon or at other times of the day. I have gotten all kjnds of answers on shade percent. I did find someone that lives in same town as me and has the same size that i am buying. He uses 45% on south side and 60% on north. He has 500 plants and they all seem to thrive in this setup. I do want to thank everyone for their advice and suggestions.

[Ray]

I let my plants be the "meter", and have never measured.

How much shade to apply, and where on the GH, is going to depend upon where you want to grow what. In general, greenhouses should be oriented north-south, so that the broader sides can feel the sun's rays for more of the day. (Don't forget that even clear glass will reflect rays away if they strike at a shallow angle.). The north end of mine is insulated plywood, as no sun is coming from the north anyway. It is also where the heater, fogger, RO system, water storage, and pump are, with the benches slid more to the south end.


Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com

[dennisl142]

Ray.
Thanks for the info. What you say makes a lot of sense for the sun to hit more of the broad side of the GH. I guess i will have to play it by ear with the shade cloth.

[Ray]

Dennis,

You're growing a mix of plants, with some that like it bright and some that like it fairly deeply shaded.

Your local grower sounds like he's got a good starting point for you. If the GH is oriented N-S, you can put the heavier shade over the northern end and grow the phals there. In summer, when the sun is high in the sky, they will be well protected all day. In the winter, when the sun is lower on the horizon, they may get some early- and late-day rays, but coming in on an angle from the far end of the GH, that will be a "plus", rather than a problem.

[Polarizeme]

Originally Posted by Orchidbyte

I also use a product called aluminet for my shade cloth it helps to keep heat inside GH down, maybe?

I used aluminet this past summer and I KNOW it helped with the heat. It was amazing. I grow the Pleurothallid alliance and I can tell you that I was able to keep my greenhouse below 85 all Summer long unlike the previous years. I won't use anything else

[Coldgrower]

I put a greenhouse up in 2012, I use 30% shade cloth in the summer only. in winter we need all the sun we can get. I also agree with others it would be better to orient north/south as opposed to east/west.

If you over-shade flowering will be reduced as will plant growth.

[kg5]

I was planning on 70% on top 50% on the sides but have an east west situation. But after working on the area I will use 50% all round as the sunlight is blocked by this tree and than tree by a 1/4 over the full day. 3 months of the year only half (down the middle) will have direct sunlight.

max temp is 32c or 90f in winter 20c 68f

Min temp 20c 68f winter 12c 53f