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greenhouse shading

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by ericst11, May 22, 2011.

  1. May 22, 2011 #1
    ericst11

    ericst11 New Member

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    I have a greenhouse that is 10x12 and right now i use a green type of shade cloth made for shading but seems to cut out alot of the light .Would it better to white wash it or just leave it be? If white wash can some of you tell me how to mix the right amount or If it seem better. I usally grow inside so this is the second year coming out side in the greenhouse and will not go back in this year so i need to figure it out. Thank you.
     
  2. May 22, 2011 #2
    This_guy_Bri

    This_guy_Bri weirdo

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    i use whitewash
    the container in which it comes shows the appropriate dilutions for various shade levels
    if your greenhouse has any leaks, your plants will get spots if the whitewash drips before it dries
    you may also want to make sure that you use a sticker, unless it already has one in it. if not, the whitewash will wear off quickly. other kinds need to be removed with a different product....
     
  3. May 22, 2011 #3
    Alexis

    Alexis New Member

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    I think Eric is talking about whitewashing shadecloth, not a solid surface. I've never heard of doing this, and my gut says it's not the right solution for shadecloth. You may be better off buying light colored shadecloth (not black) or Aluminet, but what do I know?
     
  4. May 22, 2011 #4
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    I say get a different shadecloth. Get one that's less shady.
     
  5. May 22, 2011 #5
    ericst11

    ericst11 New Member

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    I for got to mention that i built the greenhouse and it had 1/4 in poly on it and then i went and found a commercial greenhouse that was going out of biz and bought the 1/2in poly and put that in after i took the plants in last summer so now it seems to let less light in with the other poly with the shade cloth up . i'll post some pictures here in a few.
     
  6. May 22, 2011 #6
    ericst11

    ericst11 New Member

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    [​IMG]Here is my Greenhouse and what the lighting looks like in full sun. The light measures 2500 to 1500.
    [​IMG]
     
  7. May 22, 2011 #7
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Very nice looking greenhouse. Is the shade cloth inside or outside? Do you know the % of shade it is rated for?
     
  8. May 22, 2011 #8
    ericst11

    ericst11 New Member

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    on the inside and i think its 50% . I think i'm going to go with a white wash .
    I have a friend that lives a hour from me that i see so often and i talked to him and he said that was the best way he has found out do to the cloudy winters here in nebraska . He said he uses old latex paint watered down and uses a sprayer and it works well and he said that you have to apply it twice, once in the spring and once in the late summer do to the rains. But it works well.
     
  9. May 22, 2011 #9
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I only use shade cloth because the first year on my first greenhouse I followed the directions you just gave (dilute latex paint) and in NEVER came off. I had that greenhouse for two decades and never had enough light in the winter until I removed the old fiberglass and put up polycarbonate. Cloth is traditionally put on the outside so that it shades the skin an helps keep down heat.
     
  10. May 22, 2011 #10
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    I would recommend against an "easy fix" like paint. Like Marni said, sure, it works, but you can't remove it when you need to.

    I'm sticking to the "get a new shadecloth" stance.
     
  11. May 22, 2011 #11
    ericst11

    ericst11 New Member

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    Ok thanks wheres agood place to get the shade cloth i;m looking for?
     
  12. May 23, 2011 #12
    JonP

    JonP all that Supporting Member

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    google 'aluminet'
     
  13. May 23, 2011 #13
    This_guy_Bri

    This_guy_Bri weirdo

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  14. May 23, 2011 #14
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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  15. May 23, 2011 #15
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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  16. May 23, 2011 #16
    AHAB

    AHAB New Member

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    Aluminet - Microclimate Control

    Try this link, read about the red shade cloth as well
    http://www.polysack.com/index.php?page_id=41

    I've used Aluminet for several years now and it is very good, for my size Gh 25x30 the price was very inexpensive, I bought remnants from the branch that sells the material here in Florida.
    It did reduce the heat as advertised.
    I used 50% Aluminet outside and 50% red for the inside.
    I have GE polycarbonate single layer opaque courregated panels.
    Paphs, bulbo's, phrags, vandas & cat's bloom well for me.
    I have the higher light plants near one side of the greenhouse that has clear plexiglass walls and they get full afternoon sun in the latter part of the day for about an hour or so depending on the time of the year.
    They make it in several different shade densities.
    Very easy to put on and take off if needed, unlike the paints.
    No affiliation with them just a great product.
    Bill Thoms mentions it in his book on Bulbophyllums.
    Good luck!
     
  17. May 23, 2011 #17
    AHAB

    AHAB New Member

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