Substitute for shade cloth

[chemist]

Hello all,

So im thinking to summer some of my orchids (vandas and catts) outside. Only available spot pretty much has sun all day long. Soi was thinking to put a shade cloth but ... They don't sell in quantity i need or if they do they charge way too much for processing fee.
So i think to substitute it with some durable fabric ( well some piece of it survived outside since last summer till now)

Will it be enough? I thought maybe few layers?
I took reding of light today at noon, it was about 33000 Lux , with one layer of fabric it gives little bit more that half of the original, and with two about 1/3.
When they say 50% shade cloth is good for vanda what 50% means? Shade 50% or it let 50% of light go through?
How much it will be different from growing these types of orchid in southern window behind sheer curtains??

[ksriramkumar]

Could work as long as there is a reduction in Lux. 50% shade cloth means it would block 50%. 70% would mean it would block 70%. I would suggest you try with one layer and observe the leaf color and lux level and take it fwd from there

---------- Post Merged at 06:49 AM ----------

Could work as long as there is a reduction in Lux. 50% shade cloth means it would block 50%. 70% would mean it would block 70%. I would suggest you try with one layer and observe the leaf color and lux level and take it fwd from there

[chemist]

Thank you Ksriram! I put double for now let them adjust to sun than probably will take away

By the way always wanted to ask you what is your first name ?
You sign pics as Sriram but everyone calls you here Ksriram, just want to call you right name
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[ksriramkumar]

setup Looks good Svetlana. I have read in some forum/book that vanda should be hanged in such a way that both the sides of the plant get sun/air for maximum benefit. See if you can move the vanda slightly away from the fence or you should possibly keep switching the direction of the plant every 2-3 days. You can call me Sriram.

[raybark]

May I ask where you got your info on shade density for vandas?

50% shade might be appropriate for full sun in Florida, but if that's factual, that would be too much shade in New York. I'm about 30 miles north of Philadelphia - not more than 30 miles farther south than you, and my plants - in a greenhouse, so that provides a small amount of light reduction by itself - are under 30% Aluminet

[chemist]

Hi Ray,
Sure you can online ofcourse.
I figured if people in tropics use 70-50, than it will be safe for me to use 50%.
Im well aware that NY far North from equator and light intensity is not as strong as close to equator. I just did not want to burn them

What do you think will be good for catts outside in NY?
I think your post was edited to remove aluminet vendor info? Cause 15 min ago it was there and now its gone... Could you please PM it to me?! Or maybe i shoot you email in the evening i have more questions about light fixtures.
Thank you!

[raybark]

Oops. Forgot the vendor thing....

For catts, I think 30%-40% is still appropriate for this part of the world.

[Wade's Orchids]

I'd say about 60% for Catts. I'm using 50% Aluminet and although they aren't burning by any means I can tell that the growths are smaller than they should be because of excess light and the ones that produce anthocyanin tend towards almost a solid purple. I tried spraying some lime onto the roof but with polycarbonate, it washes off too quickly. I'm in Central PA (maybe 80-100 miles north of Ray).