shade cloth for vandas

[stateless]

I would like to redo my growing area this spring and seperate my vandas. I am growing under 50% shade cloth at the present, with all my vandas clumped to one side where they receive the most light. I was thinking of using 40% for the vandas, but online I see suggestions to use 20 or 30%. Any ideas, experiences or suggestions would be helpful. thanks

[cdayinflorida]

I use 40, Ed.

[stateless]

thanks cathy, I think thats what I'll go with and put my semi teretes near the edge

[cdayinflorida]

Exactly how I do it, Ed.

[zainal abidin]

40 to 50% should be ok for species including primary hybrids.

[stateless]

thanks Zainal, i respect Cathy and your judgement.

[King Kjeldz]

yep good advice!!! i think online suggestions have a lot to do with mokaras,arachnis and arandas needing high light intensity to flower better like 20% shade wheraes strap vandas need less light to do well 40%...i live like 10 degrees from the equator and our mkr,etc grow on concrete posts in full sun and never a burn...ofc its humid and windy.....and let me tell u our sun is like hell...most stuff manufactured abroad for outdoor use....i usually asked is it for America outdoors or Tinidad outdoors? cuz our weather is really harsh

[Orkala]

I grow my orchids outside in a pergola. Last fall I recovered the top with 50% shade cloth to protect the leaves from our burning Florida sun. Cattleya's and dendrobium did well. Not one of my vandas bloomed. I plan to move all 6 vandas outside next spring and hope they don't get burned.

[Tednz]

I use 30% and only one plant shows signs of burning.

[Tednz]

Also The once Oncidiums flower better with the higher light through the summer so they go out there with the Vandas