Creating and maintaining the right type of environment in a greenhouse is crucial. It helps to grow and maintain the health of your plants. Using a shade cloth helps in protecting your plants from a lot of sunlight. Yet, it can be hard for us to know the best one for your plants shade with so many options to choose from.
In this blog post, we will help you understand different types of shade cloth to provide shade for your plants. Also, includes options for internal and external use, the choice of material, and the right shade percentage. We will also discuss how the right type of cloth may impact your plants and greenhouse care. So, no need to deploy anymore–start reading this post right away.
Choosing the Best Greenhouse Shade Cloth For Plants
Picking up the right shade cloth will grow plants better. It also controls the temperature and light. Furthermore, it creates a healthy space. So, let’s now see how you can choose the best one among them.
Based On Your Planting Need
|
Category |
Example |
Suitable Shade Cloth Density |
| Brassicas | Cauliflower and Cabbage |
40 to 50 Percentage |
|
Shade Loving Plants |
Ferms, Orchids, And Tropical Plants | 50 Percentage |
| Leafy Greens | Spinach And Mustard Greens |
30 to 50 Percentage |
|
Root Vegetables |
Beets And Turnips | 20 to 30 Percentage |
| Flowers | Roses And Coleus |
25 to 30 Percentage |
Based on Climate Considerations
|
Climate Type |
Recommended Shade Percentage | Reasoning |
| Tropical Climates | 50 to 70 Percentage |
On hot sunny days, thicker shade clothes keep your greenhouses cooler. Moreover, it protects plants from heat stress, particularly for sensitive crops. |
|
Mild Climates |
30 to 50 Percentage | This shade percentage works well in areas with reasonably mild sunlight. Hence, it provides light for plants and protects them from summer heat. |
| Cool Climates | 20 to 30 Percentage |
In cooler areas with lower sunlight, this shade percentage further protects plants from frost. Besides this, it also allows enough light. |
Based On The Shade Requirements In Your Garden
- Polyethylene (PE) – PE Shade Cloth is strong and lasts a long time. Hence, this makes the cloth perfect for use for many years. Moreover, it blocks UV rays but allows some amount of light through.
- Polypropylene (PP) – This shade cloth is lighter than PE, further making it easier to carry, move, and install. It offers strong protection from UV rays as well, keeping plants safe from sunburn and damage.
- Polyester – Polyester shade cloth is strong and will not tear. Hence, it’s perfect for regions with strong winds. The material also maintains its color for a long time, allowing it to continue to block light.
- Aluminet – This shade cloth has a shiny surface that reflects sunlight. It further reduces heat buildup inside greenhouses and keeps plants cooler. Besides this, it spreads light and heat to prevent hot spots.
The best shade cloth depends on the type of climate as well as your plants. By choosing, you will be able to allow your greenhouse to be a great place for plants to grow.
Color Considerations While Choosing A Shade Cloth
The color of your shade cloth affects how much light and heat your plants get. Knowing how colors impact growth helps you pick the right clothes.
- Black Shade Cloth – Black Shade Cloth material is good for cooler climates because it absorbs heat. Not only this, it helps your plants stay warm. This material also creates dense shade to protect plants from powerful sunlight. Hence, it is perfect for plants that need less light which causes overheating in warm seasons.
- White Shade Cloth – White shade cloth helps to reflect sunlight and heat. It further keeps the environment within your greenhouse cooler. It is ideal for warmer areas and plants requiring extra light without a lot of heat. Hence, this material provides a moderate amount of shade and lets enough light through.
- Green Shade Cloth – Green shade cloth allows plants to grow by filtering out some amount of sunlight. It then absorbs the light, which benefits specific crops. It further absorbs heat from sunlight and protects the plants from UV rays. Thus, it is useful in vegetable gardens and provides a balance between heat and light.
- Red/Blue Shade Cloth – The blue shade cloth is great for leafy vegetables, while the red one helps promote fruit and flower growth. These colors purify light to suit the various needs of the plant. They are useful in a controlled environment to enhance the plant’s growth. But it usually depends on the type of plant you are growing.
Picking up the right color for your shade cloth helps your plants grow better. Consider your climate and plants to choose the best color for a healthy and thriving greenhouse.
Difference Between Internal Shade Vs. External Shade
Internal and external shade cloths help control light and temperature. Each of them works in a different way. So understanding their differences will help you to choose the best one for your plants.
Internal Shade Cloth
It is placed inside your plants shade structure and usually placed on the walls and ceiling. Internal Shade Cloth further spreads sunlight and protects your plants from sunlight. Besides this, it also promotes their healthy growth. Yet, it may not be able to lower the temperature much as the sun’s rays have already gotten into the greenhouse before they get shaded.
External Shade Cloth
It is placed on the outer part of the greenhouse. External shade cloth helps to block heat and sunlight and lower the humidity and temperature inside. This cloth further protects plants from bad weather as well, but it might decrease airflow. So, you may need extra ventilation to keep the air fresh coming inside the greenhouse.
Both internal and external shade cloths are useful for plants. You must think about your planting needs and select the best one to keep the plants healthy.
Pros And Cons Of Using Shade Cloth For Plants
Shade cloth in a greenhouse helps protect plants from too much sun. So, here are some pros and cons of using this shade color.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Temperature Control – Shade cloth maintains the temperature by blocking direct sunlight. Hence, it further prevents the plants from getting way too hot. |
Weather Vulnerability – Heavy rain, strong winds, or storms may damage your shade cloth. It further leads to extra repairs or even replacements. |
|
Filtered Light – It also blocks UV rays from sunlight while allowing enough light to pass through. Moreover, it protects your plants from sunburn and allows healthy growth. |
Difficult Installation Method – Installing shade cloth may also be challenging and take a lot of time. This is true on large greenhouses. Hence, it requires careful fitting and support. |
|
Improved Plant Growth – Shade cloth avoids a lot of heat and light from the sun, further providing the right environment for your plants to grow. |
Reduced Airflow – The cloth can block airflow as well and cause high humidity & heat buildup. Thereafter, it can affect the plant’s health. |
Shade cloth will allow you to control temperature and also protect plants. But it has some downsides as well. Hence, you need to think about your greenhouse requirements before sowing plants in it.
Maintenance Tips Of A Greenhouse Cloth
Taking care of the cloth allows it to work in the right way. So, here is how you can maintain and look after the fabric of your greenhouse.
- Check For Any Damage – You need to check the cloth as well for possible rips or holes. Hence, repairing these types of damage will help you keep the environment of your greenhouse stable.
- Maintenance of Irrigation System – You also need to ensure that your irrigation system is working and isn’t over-watering the plants. A lot of water may further damage the cloth and then lead to wear or mold.
- Remove Any Dust And Debris – You should clean the cloth at regular intervals by clearing away dust and debris. These can further block sunlight and airflow. Thus, it influences the cloth’s shading effect.
Cleaning the cloth and checking for any possible damage will allow it to last longer. By following these easy and simple steps, you can keep your fabric in good shape.
Wrapping It Up
We must control temperature and sunlight to help our plants grow. A greenhouse shade cloth will further help you to protect your plants from the sun and keep them healthy. Different shade cloth types (like polyethylene) provide various advantages. The cloth’s color and placement (outside or inside) can make a big difference in maintaining the right environment for your plants.
FAQs
Question. How Greenhouse Shade Cloth Helps Maintain Optimal Temperature?
Answer. The Shade cloth helps keep the temperature steady by blocking too much sunlight. It also prevents the greenhouse from getting too hot and creates a better environment to grow the plants.
Question. Does Shade Cloth Enhance Plant Production?
Answer. Yes, Shade Cloth helps plants grow better by keeping the temperature right and blocking too much sunlight. This further reduces stress on plants, leading to stronger growth and more productive plants.
Question. What Is The Most Effective Cloth Material For A Greenhouse In Growing Plants?
Answer. The best Shade Cloth is polyethylene. It lets in the right amount of light and keeps the plants safe from strong sun. Moreover, it helps control temperature and humidity for better growth.
