What's new

shade cloth

Yesca73

Member
yo does anybody use shade cloth like you see at the nursery to cover your plants? It gets pretty hot were I am at 100's & 90's most of summer. I read that plants stop growing once the temp is above 85.
 

D.S. Toker. MD

Active member
Veteran
Thats not really true Yesca73. They slow somewhat above 85 or so, but i have temps of 100, sometimes for several days consecutive, and i have never seen growth even come close to stopping. This summer has been extremely hot and i have quite a few plants well over 8' and they havent shown any signs of slow growth.

Some strains are sensitive, but honestly most landrace strains come from areas where 100 degree temps arent that unusual at all and most strains dont have any problems outdoors. Sometimes extensive hybridization and many generations of indoor growing can weaken a plants genetics in all areas including heat resistance, but i dont think you have anthing to be concerned about unless the plants arent growing normally.

It may be different for indoor growing, but outdoors as long as temps dont exceed about 105 degrees, it just not a big problem if adequate moisture is available
 

jaykush

dirty black hands
ICMag Donor
Veteran
my plants have been growing at least an inch a day in 100+ heat. the trick is keeping the soil cool. so lots and lots of quality mulch. i use 2 year old leaf mold as mulch and the plants LOVE it.
 

feenom

Member
while it is harder for small plants to become established in hot temperatures ( 90 + ) i have seen good growth during the hot days. keeping the soil cool with some mulch ( i use rice straw ) is key, as well as making sure they have enough water to make it through the day as the draw up more water on a hot day to cool themselves. however, i think that if you used a 30-50% shade cloth during the middle of the day when the temps were up near 100 you would only be helping them. it's a matter of if you want to take the time to cover / uncover them...
 

Yesca73

Member
kool thanks for the response guys. I am using shredded cedar mulch. I have in containers and water with a drip system every 2-3 days. I would prefer not to use shade cloth . It would be hassel to put on and off(cant be there everyday). I have not noticed any slow growth. My tomatoes and zucinni seem to love the hot sun.I am concerned about the black pots i am using. Anyboby have any ideas on how I can insulate them to keep root zone from heating up? Was thinking covering them with corkboard????or piece of reed fencing?????
 

madb

Active member
my plants have been growing at least an inch a day in 100+ heat. the trick is keeping the soil cool. so lots and lots of quality mulch. i use 2 year old leaf mold as mulch and the plants LOVE it.

good call. I use shadecloth for my new seedlings and clones to harden them up. Keep the soil cool and they will go like wildfire.
 

MildeStoner

Well-known member
Veteran
Have used shade cloth, but its only necessary to conceal plants from prying eyes, they can handle the sun fine...
 

feenom

Member
I am concerned about the black pots i am using. Anyboby have any ideas on how I can insulate them to keep root zone from heating up? Was thinking covering them with corkboard????or piece of reed fencing?????

paint the outside of the pots white.
 
T

tokinafaty420

Plants don't stop, but due to the undesirable conditions the plant puts more energy towards other processes to cope with the stress instead of max growth rate. If the soil dries out, the plants will shut down gas exhange to preserve water. Which will halt growth.
 

doublejj

Member
Veteran
Sunscreen yes!

Sunscreen yes!

I use tan sunscreen, works great!

Peace
doublejj
P.S.Click on the signature below, for more pic's

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • PICT0004 (13).jpg
    PICT0004 (13).jpg
    81.5 KB · Views: 26

Lazyman

Overkill is under-rated.
Veteran
I will be manufacturing and selling small and large shadecloth cloches (one-plant greenhouses) very soon, some with greenhouse plastic, some with camouflage netting over the top so the plants will be well-hidden. Would you prefer to have units with chicken-wire mesh inside to prevent deer and rabbits from eating them too?
 

Latest posts

Latest posts

Top