Shading tips?

[sand_tiger86]

I put my orchids outside for the summer a few weeks ago, and I'm curious to know if anyone has any good tips for shading. They're getting super high light and Texas heat. We just built a new house last year, so the trees are still very small, and thus are not a very good option for shade. No matter what side of the house I put them on they will get full mid-day sun. Help pleassse?

[clintdawley]

Kelly..

Can you rig a "clothes line" over them and drape some shading fabric? A make-shift shade house sounds like a good idea.

[sand_tiger86]

That's what I was thinking, Clint. What type of material do you suggest, keeping in mind that my low lights stay inside (phals and such)? (I mainly have catts, dends, and a trouble maker as of late (burn-wise) an epi. green hornet.)

[clintdawley]

I would try 50% shadecloth here for the Catts. I haven't bought any yet, but I think you can go to the big box stores and possibly find it there....

That's what I was thinking, Clint. What type of material do you suggest, keeping in mind that my low lights stay inside (phals and such)? (I mainly have catts, dends, and a trouble maker as of late (burn-wise) an epi. green hornet.)

[yeahyeah]

For outside I'd think about 70% the sun is about 8000 to 12000 foot candles, anything more then 4000 to 5000 you start stressing them out... in my opinion.

[clintdawley]

There is some truth in that...especially when it's hot as Hades outside.

For outside I'd think about 70% the sun is about 8000 to 12000 foot candles, anything more then 4000 to 5000 you start stressing them out... in my opinion.

[Gin]

If the box stores don''t have shade cloth fiber glass screen door wire will work in a pinch can double it , I use it over the glass on the west side of the greenhouse . Gin

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Also the 'shades' used to filter light. Just staple them onto some 1x4 and make a shade tent.

Cheers,
BD

[ischel1]

I use 70% and yes the home imp stores stock it. You can buy it prepackaged or by the yard!

[sadie]

Hey there. You may have already found a solution--but I just purchased a bunch of shade cloth at a big box store. (PM me if you want to know exactly where and how much. ) They have several colors and several weights/percent shade to chose from and it was pretty cheap. It comes in six-foot widths and you can buy as many feet as you need--so as much or little as you need.

I'd rig it up on clothes lines or perhaps get some nifty plant hooks etc and attach it to them. Even just poles in the ground with the shade cloth attached would be better than nothing.