Advice on shade cloth...

Bonsaifreak

I'm in the process of building a shade frame for my trees. The options for shade cloth are more than what I expected. Home Depot sells one which claims to give "75% more shade" (green and light blue are available colors). My local nursery sells black cloth that blocks 50% of UV rays and other which blocks 70%.

As it is now, my trees are getting day-long sun without a break and the summer is approaching fast with temps reaching 80-90 degrees F at midday.

What would be the best purchase?

Thanks in advance.

Jorge

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agraham

No more than 50% shade,Jorge.73% to 90% is often used for foliage plants in order to acclimate to indoor condtions.

Let me add....it obviously depends on the plant variety .50% would be a general guideline.Some of my trees get no shade at all and do fine.And I'm 100 miles south of you.

andy

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Bonsaifreak

You make a good point. I have some species that are thriving in full sun but others just seem to be struggling. Still, the way things are developing, we are in for a bonsai bake in my display area this coming July and AugustThanks!

Jorge

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"Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more."
Mark Twain

watzone69

The bonsai nursery that I frequent uses 50% and 70% in different areas for different trees. He uses the 50% for the "full sun" trees and 70% for the "partial shade". However, he has these pretty high up to allow good ventilation. Somewhere like 15-20'. I think this allows a lot more unfiltered sun in the earlier part of the day and then more protection at noon when things really get cooking! He also told me that if he had it to do over again that he would have used all 80%.

I bought some shade cloth at Lowe's that sounds like the stuff you saw at Home Depot. It says "75% more shade". More than WHAT is what I want to know! It's tan colored and cost 40 cents a foot (by about 5' wide). I put it up (about 6' high) but it was pretty shady under there so I took it back down and decided to wait until summer really kicks in. It's been cloudy and raining here in Austin a LOT this spring so I figured I'd give them all the sun they could take until later.

Mike

Vonsgardens

Jorge,
we use 30% up north here in Arkansas, keep pines, junipers, maples, redwoods, everything under 30%. One of the 'benefits is that it helps to control loss from dessicating winds. We have one 30x20' panel of 60% shade over a large hoop house, it is just too dark for me- so, somewhere between 30 and 50%.

I buy mine online, get it cut to the length and width needed. I saved a lttle money one year by not getting the edge tape put on, that was a mistake. we now always get the edge tape and eyelets. Just and FYI.

John

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Bonsaifreak

Thanks Mike and John for the input. It gets a little confusing when we talk percentages since 30% could mean allowing 70% of UV radiation in or blocking 70% from coming in.

John, do you mind sending me a PM with your contact on-line? I've been debating how to work the edges of this thing since I don't have the appropriate sewing equipment.

Jorge

__________________
"Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more."
Mark Twain

Vonsgardens

Jorge,
these are the folks we have used the last couple of times. John

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/...?number=SC-BL30

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"Wiring is simple; However, it is not easy to do it right" Boon

Bonsaifreak

Thanks John!

Jorge

__________________
"Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more."
Mark Twain

Attila

John's advice is the best in my experience,


I use 30% shade as well, here in Southern California. It is perfect.

50% or 75% shade is really scary, it is hard to imagine that a sun-loving plant can survive that.

For azaleas, I've seen 50% at Nuccio's azalea nursery. He uses a lattice, 2 inches wide, placed 2 inches apart. Theoretically this would correspond to 50%, but if placed very high, it actually allows more than 50% sun. That's because the light is reflected several times between the ground and the lattice.