Shade cloth query

9 years ago

Hi guys

im sick of worrying about my succulents burning but still want them to get enough sun. I have a green house with clear plastic exterior. If I put green shade cloth over the top would it stop burning but still allow enough light through?

any thoughts would be appreciated :)

Featured Answer

bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI

9 years ago

A few things to understand about shade cloth, which you may already know. Shade cloth comes in two different materials; knitted and woven. It also comes in various "shading" percents. A 60% cloth allows 40% light through. The color doesn't matter much; green cloth is green because that is the color of the light spectrum that is reflected back to our brain's visual center. Plants use the blue/red spectrum. Most cloth is black or white. There are some specialty colors available; I am using a 60% MSU green and white striped cloth. There is a third style not made of a plastic polymer but a metabolized knitted fabric called Aluminet. You have to determine what your plants will want for light to grow as you would like them to grow for your geographic location. I have purchased cloth from Catalog Clearance with 100% satisfaction and about the best bang for buck. If you search their site, you will learn about cloth and make an educated decision.

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Comments (8)

ConnyNL (The Netherlands, 8b)
9 years ago
This is very useful Howard, thank you! (I'll need to buy some soon for the GH).
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Riley Griffith
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you bicerdoc, I have some more research to do :)
Yan
9 years ago
Might have to hijack this thread a little, can you not just use any tarp, or even a thick layer of say, window screen?
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
Not quite any tarp - something that lets some light thru (typical tarp I think of doesn't). I believe that few layers of window screen will work...
Yan
9 years ago
Ah ok thanks rina!
bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
9 years ago
Depending on the size requirements, common screen material can be more costly than piece of shade cloth. Most commercial cloth also comes with grommets which can be necessary to tie down the cloth from blowing away.
8blue car
9 years ago
I purchased from Catalog Clearance.com a knitted shade cloth to prevent sunburn on my succulents and cactus. Recently installed, I am happy with the functionality it serves for my collection of succulents. Most of my plants are located in the west area of my yard which gets super HOT.

I ordered a knitted shade cloth with the binding and grommets already in place. Also, purchased bungee cords to allow for flexibility when you hook it. Their prices are reasonable, however, they charge $10. shipping for every order. I'm glad to have made this investment and will be saving a lot succulents from sun burn.