All plants need a safe space to grow and develop. This means the right temperature, light, water & air quality as well as nutrients for their growth needs. During the hot season, shade cloth is essential for temperature regulation, light regulation, and moisture (water) for plant growth.
What Does A Plant Need To Grow?
Plants need constant photosynthesis to grow, and the plant’s root system brings water and nutrients and transmits them to the leaves. Under the right temperature and light, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air to release oxygen and produce energy. Therefore, every factor of photosynthesis has an impact on its growth. Learn more about the 7 factors that affect plant growth.
With so much to take care of, it’s easy for even the most dedicated gardener to get overwhelmed. In this article, we will focus on regulating the temperature, light, and humidity of plants through the correct choice of shade nets.
Do You Need To Provide Shade For Plants?
It is well known that plants need sunlight for photosynthesis, but uncontrollable sunlight produces transpiration, which evaporates water from plant leaves, resulting in water loss.
Most plants need more than 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but the temperature should be no higher than 40°C (100°F). So when your garden, nursery, or greenhouse exceeds this value, you should consider providing some shade for your plants.
How To Shade Your Plants?
Use your gardening strengths to choose the right shade method, such as planning your plants underneath tall plants or shade trees, or using something like garden umbrellas and canvas, or even repurposed cloth and pallets with wood steaks to subtly provide shade for your plants.
The use of warp-knitted shade nets is becoming more and more familiar as one of the most cost-effective ways to provide shade. However, Choosing the right shade rate is key.
- Recommend Shade Cloth Density For Plants
As a lightweight knitted polyethylene fabric, the knitted density can be adjusted to produce different shade rates to match the specific needs of different plants.
Choosing the right shade for your plants can be difficult. You want to make sure you select a shade that will provide the level of protection you need. You can refer to the following table for some common plant requirements for shade rate.
| Density | Flowers | Fruits | Vegetables |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% | Roses, Asters, Chrysanthemums, Geraniums, Snapdragons | Strawberries, Gooseberries | Tomatoes, Cucumber |
| 40% | Gloxinias, Iris, Lilies, Impatiens, Pansy, Viola, Antirrhinum, Nicotiana, Fuchsia, Anthuriums | Citrus, Mango, Macadamia, Palms, Peppadew, Baby Marrows | Lettuce, Celery, Spinach, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Peppers, Paprika, Bulb, Beans, Melons, Butternut |
| 50% | Begonia, Orchids (Dendrobiums, Epidendrums, Vandas), Pot Plants | Bromeliads, Cut Greens | Ginger, Foliage Plants |
| 60% | Orchids (Oncidiums, Phalaenopsis) | Tea | Plantation Crops |
| 70% | Ferns, Orchids (Cypripediums), Philodendron | Cardamom | |
| 80% | Ginseng | ||
| 90% | Aglaonema | Nursery |
| Density | Trees or Shrubs | Others |
|---|---|---|
| 30% | ||
| 40% | Cycads | |
| 50% | Ficus, Pot Plants | |
| 60% | Coffee | |
| 70% | ||
| 80% | Cattle Shed, Poultry House, Construction Scaffolding, Reservoir, Windbreak, Ground, Car Parks, Bomas, Privacy Screen | |
| 90% | Cattle Shed, Poultry House, Construction Scaffolding, Reservoir, Windbreak, Ground, Car Parks, Bomas, Privacy Screen |
*When the same plant appears in multiple rows that means it is suitable for both shade levels.
- Problems That May Be Encountered During Buy Incorrect Shade Rate Cloth
Choosing a shade cloth with the incorrect shade rate can be counterproductive. For example, if a plant that requires low shade is covered with a shade cloth with high shade, then its lighting quality will be affected. Conversely, a plant that needs high shade covered with a low-shade cloth will still be at risk of water loss and eventual death.
Other Tips
Although shade netting is not expensive, there is a difference in quality. Good shade netting should use new polyethylene granules with UV stabilizers to increase its longevity.
An aluminum shade netting is becoming popular, which is more durable. The aluminum surface will reflect sunlight and heat rather than absorb it like traditional shade screens. It can also be used indoors in winter to insulate and save energy.
Conclusion
To sum up, understanding the factors that plants need in the process of growth is a prerequisite to getting a good return.
Get your hands dirty and make some changes to your plant growing space, and I believe they will reward you with more beautiful flowers or more fruitful fruits.
