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The Professional Gardener Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Shade cloth, what %?

2 years ago

I am growing a variety of shade plants from seed and will need to move them out of the greenhouse as the weather warms. I plant to build a PVC hoop house and cover it with shade cloth. I see a variety of SC's at different % of sun blocking. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

2 years ago

50% is fine. Likely more than is necessary :-) It's not like sun intensity is very strong here even in midsummer but it will help to reduce the heat. Hoop houses tend not to have the best ventilation and they can get hot

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Comments (11)

SeniorBalloon
Original Author
2 years ago
@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) @Embothrium Tagging the two of you as you are both knowledgeable. The seedlings are hosta, kirengeshoma palmata, ligularias. Is 50% shade cloth enough? Too much?

Thanks.
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The shade cloth percentage depends on what you are growing. 50% is pretty standard and is what most people use. You might want to get two small circulating fans. Don't forget thermostats. Here is a link that might be useful: Shade cloth
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Hi everyone - Here where I live on the South Coast of New South Wales Australia, I find that to get good colour in any brom, especially Bill's, you need good light. All of my Billbergias are grown beneath 75% beige shade cloth and where space will allow I hang as many as possible high up near the roof. Larger plants are on benches covered with galvanized Ã¢ÂÂMini-OrbÃ¢ÂÂ (corrugated iron with small corrugations). I find the reflective quality of the galvanized finish increases available light by reflection. The only time I feed is when plants are repotted and at this time I add Osmocote High Ã¢ÂÂKÃ¢ÂÂ at the rate of 1gm per 1Ã¢ÂÂ of pot.; e.g. a 4Ã¢ÂÂ pot would get 4gm an 8Ã¢ÂÂ pot 8gm and so on. This will be supplemented three times per year with a feed of liquid Potash in the form of CondyÃ¢ÂÂs Crystals (Potassium permanganate) dissolved in water at the rate of 1.5gm per 100 L of water. I find this gives my BillÃ¢ÂÂs good colour, however I still keep looking for better ways of improving the colour even more. All the best, Nev. Some of my plants on the "Mini Orb" covered bench.
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dig hole .... insert pot and all .... ergo no sun on pot issue ... this would be qualified if there were soil issues impacting proper drainage ... in other words.. if you dug a cauldron in clay soil.. which trapped water inside the pot ... key point: DONT FORGET TO REMOVE THE POT .... i have gone as far as potting in native soil ... into a bigger pot ... and leaving it there for a year or two .. because i knew i would be moving ... kind of sidestep that whole issue of soil diversity/interface ... i have 2 proper planting seasons.. but they sell the stuff all summer.. so i either sink the entire pot [no black lip showing] .... or put them under some limbed up pines trees ... or the north side of the house ... if burying the pot... pop the plant out.. and add some soil.. so the soil level in the pot is at the top of the pot ... so when you sink the pot ... you dont have that lip sticking out of the ground ... since they are full sun plants.. i never contemplated shade cloth ... IMHO its all about that BLACK pot ... ken PS: you always need more mulch ... get a few yards dumped for future projects ... and just bury the pots in it ... that is what a lot of nurseries around here do ....
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I dont have anything especially helpful or definitive, I'm afraid, but an idea that you might or might not be able to use. When we lost a huge maple in the center of our yard (I hated and loved it - the kids had their tree house out there and there were swings hanging from the branches, but it was a very messy, greedy tree) I looked into these triangular "shade sails" as a way to maintain some shade in the yard. They are pretty inexpensive, and come in different colors and sizes. I always thought they'd look quite nice in the right setting. This would be a different way to go than covering the plants, but might work for you. Here is a link that might be useful: shade sail at overstock
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SeniorBalloon
Original Author
2 years ago
Shade cloth will be the only cover on this hoop house, Does shade cloth trap heat?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
No, the fabric is completely 'breathable'. But it does keep what's underneath cooler........usually around 15 degrees cooler but could be a bit more. This could be of benefit during the summer months as photosynthesis declines or slows at high temperatures and that will affect growth.
SeniorBalloon thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
chadinlg Zone 9b Los Gatos CA
2 years ago
I have 50% Aluminet in my GHS and that seems enough light for growing things on of all sorts.

I have 30% to use outside for preventing sunburn on crops.

It can get hot in a shade house if the fabric is all dark (black) and there is not open ends for ventilation.
SeniorBalloon thanked chadinlg Zone 9b Los Gatos CA
SeniorBalloon
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Interesting on the "open ends" comment. One of the problem I had last year when I put out seedlings under a large maple, was birds came up, i suspect crows, and nipped off tips and uprooted several. So I was planning on making this fully enclosed in shade cloth. Am going to guess the temp difference between western Wa and Los Gatos Ca, that that's a bigger issue for you than I, but will keep an eye on that.

Where do you buy your shade cloth? Google turns up many options, but always good to have a rec from someone.

Thanks.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
"Where do you buy your shade cloth?"

Any greenhouse distributor or supply store. I recommend Charley's Greenhouse in Mt. Vernon. They have a national reputation and cater to home hobby greenhouse enthusiasts.

I'd also suggest Steuber's Distributing in Snohomish. They have everything you could possibly need that deals with gardening. And since you now have a business license, you should qualify for their wholesale pricing!!
SeniorBalloon thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
SeniorBalloon
Original Author
2 years ago
I've had a bad experience with Steubers. I have bought from them many times, but recently called to inquire about there metal greenhouse supports and when I asked a question about spacing he said, "I don't care what you do with it". It was an abrupt and irritated response. I hung up and thought 'what the hell was that about?'. I know they have a great number of items I could use, but I'm not quite over them being jerks. :o) I'll inquire at Charlie's.

Thanks.
SeniorBalloon
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Unfortunately Steubers doe not have any shade cloth. Called Charlies and while they have some the person I spoke with was not very knowledgeable and after several minutes and two phone calls the email she promised me with a quote never arrived.

Any other suppliers that anyone could recommend would be appreciated.

Thanks.
SeniorBalloon
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I got a recommendation from a local wholesale nursery. They use Oregon Bag Company. http://obcnw.com/

Odd name for a company that sells greenhouse equipment.

Shade cloth is on the way.

Thanks.
SeniorBalloon
Original Author
last year
I went with a 50% shade cloth. In the process of covering my structure.

It'll get a bit tighter once all sides are on.

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