Shade cloth for orchids

[chuck]

My condo faces east, floor to ceiling glass sliding doors with a eight foot wide balcony outside located in north Florida. Morning sun from 7am until11am, the balcony above prevents sun after 11 am. My question is what kind of shade cloth should i use, it comes 30 to 80 percent shade in both woven and ?. Right now i have to keep the vertical blinds closed until 11 am on sunny days (most days) or my phals and even catts will burn even though the sun is not directly overhead. I run the ceiling fan on medium speed and the temperature next to the glass doors is still above 90 degrees, thanks for any suggestions.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi Chuck. If the sun coming in is that strong, you could use a 50 - 60 % shade cloth and not have to worry with the blinds. IF the phals still seem to get too much light, just move them inside of the cattleyas. Most likely the window glass is multiplying the light and causing the burns. I prefer the black shade cloth over the silver and shiny or green varieties, but suspect it really doesn't make much difference as they are practically the same. IMHO. Black is just less jaring to the eyes for me.

I hope others will chime in with their opinions on your question.

cheers,
BD

[Cjcorner]

In addition to shade cloth...if your plants are indoors you might consider some lace curtains. I used a lace panel to keep direct sun off a vanda this summer and I have it in a west facing section of the greenhouse now.

[chuck]

Thanks BD and Connie, I will try shade cloth, no place for curtains. Would like to grow outside but any wind from the East leaves the windows filmed over from the salt air. Thanks again Chuck

[panam]

Makes me wonder what your shade cloth will look like in a year! If you pick up that much salt from the ocean, then I'll bet the moisture in the air makes the orchids happy.

[cakedaddy]

Do you clean the windows often? Maybe only cleaning at the onset of winters shorter days could provide you with free shadecloth and you save money on cleaning products to boot!
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[chuck]

problem is need full light after 11 am. Maybe mount shadecloth in a frame so it is portable,any ideas

[cakedaddy]

You could try to make a vertically retractable shade cloth using eyehooks, grommets, cord, and weights.
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[chuck]

Thanks for the input Jason, good ideas Chuck

[moniluhum]

I have a small greenhouse in southern la. where the temperature can get up to the mid 90's even though it is just June 2014. I need a shade cloth that I can put on the western side of the greenhouse that would allow a sufficient amount of light while at the same time preventing the temperature from getting ideas. I have a fan and a misting thing that helps a lot but I have to turn them on manually an i can not always be there to turn them on. PLEASE HELP