Burlap as Shade Cloth?

[gardenguysorchids]

Hi, I was wondering if any of you know if you can use loose weave burlap as shade cloth for cattleyas and other high light loveing orchids.I had looked into regular shade cloth but can only find it in amounts that are way more than I need and at prices I would rather not spend. The area I have to summer my catts outdoors gets full sun till 2:00PM so I need to protect them from that intense sun light. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Bill

[espranch]

Hi Bill, I think the burlap would work O.K. however, It won't last long under the brutal sun. As you know, the sun rots fabric quickly. I am going to P.M. you a place where I got the shade cloth for my greenhouse. Betty :-)

[Janet]

This is what I use on my deck. I do buy it new every year, but it's very inexpensive. I'll try to take some photos. My deck faces south and I have it set up at about a 45 degree angle over the plants so that it protects from both overhead and from the south. I'd like to find a way to make it look a bit nicer. But it does work.

[gardenguysorchids]

Thanks Betty and Janet. I look forward to seeing your set=up Janet. Thanks again, Bill

[Janet]

OK. Found the picture. Looks sloppy, but it's worked for the last few years. Periodically it needs adjusting and it sometimes blows awry in storms. Burlap costs around $15 or so. I have other orchids under an arbor on the other side of the deck, where the slats seem to provide enough shade.

I'm afraid that anything that would look better would require some kind of permanent structure and I'd need to find somewhere to put it the rest of the year. Just wish it looked neater.