Shade Cloth and other questions

[Uechi]

Shade Cloth percnetages defined and questions

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I live in Clearwater, Florida and we have plenty of light too much in fact. I have my orchids placed in several areas in my screened porch, but it is still way too bright from 11:00 am till 3:00 pm. I have decided that shade cloth will do the trick. The problem is the more I read about it on the Internet,the more confused I get. One source says 70% shade cloth, for example allows in 70% of the light and blocks 30%. I read another source and they say 70% shade cloth blocks 70% and only allows 30%. Which is it? I was planning on buying cloth that blocks about 40% of the light. Is this to much or too little? Several growers use 50, 60 and 70%. I understand that various species require different levels of light ,but I would think there is a compromise percentage. I also would like a recommended source/s. Home Depot and Lowes, at least around here, sell the same brand and it doesn't really tell how much light it blocks or lets in. Thanks for the help.

[mayres]

You had it right to start with. The percentage listed is the amount BLOCKED. I use 55% here in Oregon. Source is a local supply company that sells greenhouse and landscape supplies. They sell it mostly from a roll like you would by carpeting - standard widths and you just buy it by the foot. It works! Good luck.........mike

[Hummer344]

The higher the number the more shade it provides. BUT, be careful. Just because it gives a number don't move your orchids to close. I put up some 70% over my orchids and some of them promptly got burnt. I put a second layer over that to provide mid day shade(no a double layer does not give complete shade). I have used that system for a number of years now. You just have to play with it a little and you should be fine.

[mayres]

From my point of view - the only really tricky part about putting your orchids under shadecloth from their current location (in my case INDOORS) is aclimating them to increased sun - even WITH the shadecloth. You have to go slow and gradual or you will burn your plants but good. The first year I had a disaster, the second year much better - we'll see what season three brings in about a month. Good luck to you!

[Uechi]

Thanks everyone for your inputs. Regards

[jerrymeola]

Your screens are already a 65% shade factor.

What are you growing that needs so much shade. I grow dens and cattleya in 35% shade cloth year round in Fort Myers and we have a lot more sun than you. I burn a couple but not many, Maybe 10 a year out of 3000 plants.

[Uechi]

Jerry. Thanks for the response, but I have a good light meter and I get Foot Candle Measurements ( thru the screen ) of 3,000 to 5,000 and sometimes even more depending on the location on the west side of porch facing east. The problem is that even with the screen I am getting bright direct not indirect light. I have had sunburn problems on Cattleyas and Cattlleya hybrids, and Oncidiums. The other orchids I have are in an area that is not appropriate for medium or high light orchids. It is possible that part of the problem is reflectance off the pool. This happens quite easily to people on boats,i.e. major sunburn. I am looking at shade cloth between 40-60%. I used 70% in my inquiry as an example. Thanks again

[flanso]

Uechi, The Lowe's on Dale Mabry in South Tampa has several rolls of 70% that are being sold as a close-out. I paid two dollars for the roll. The rolls are in the outside garden department and have no label or markings so you'll need to find the garden department manager to get the special price.

[Uechi]

Thanks flanso but 70% is little too much unless I was raising Paphs. I found a 47% Shade Tarp with the grommets already in that will work great for the screen in porch. Thanks for your inputs I look forward to reading your comments and questions in the future, Good price on the cloth the stuff ain't cheap.