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  Shade Cloth
From: Michael Kolaczewski <mjkolaffhbc at sbcglobal.net> on 2018.07.01 at 01:56:54(23849)
Hi Roz,
I have in the past used 30 and 40 percent shade cloth, strung over various Aroids and other tropical plants.
I suspended the cloth anywhere from a few feet above the tops of the plants to 6-7- or even eight over ( much like a camping tent )
To reduce sun exposure. Also here in the Chicago Land area,We get severe thunder storms, so I also use shade cloth to prevent hail damage. ( At least that’s the idea !!!)
A.M Leonard ( amleo.com) is one on line supplier that sells shade cloth.
As I’m sure you’re aware, Be sure it has grommets, so you can attach to sturdy poles. With rope and Also to tie it down in case of strong wind.
These products typically have a UV inhibitor and all the tech stuff.
Good luck !!
Cheers
MJK
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From: Rosalind Gold <rozgold at pacbell.net> on 2018.07.01 at 18:21:48(23852)
Michael:

Thanks so much for your helpful suggestion - I'm fortunate not to have hail storms in Los Angeles - just a few days each year of strong rain and wind - but your recommendations make perfect sense - particularly regarding the grommets - I've seen a lot of other approaches to fastening the shade cloth to a structure, and grommets seem to work the best.

Thanks again, and good growing!

-Rosalind

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From: riley2362 <riley2362 at aol.com> on 2018.07.02 at 00:43:06(23853)
Hi Roz

In NYC I use an aluminum 50% shade cloth on my rooftop. The grommets are essential for reducing wind damage and I'm not sure the reflective surface does any good, but I'm convinced that it can't be bad. The only aroids that I grow up there are amorphallus, caladium, zantedescia so not a great judge of the anthuriums and philodendron which I only grow indoors. I think that I may have purchased it from AM Leonard also, if not ... Google it! In Framingham st Gesneriad convention now.

Michael

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From: "Morse, Clinton" <clinton.morse at uconn.edu> on 2018.07.02 at 14:12:45(23854)

Definitely get taped & grommetted products, much easier to deal with. I would also advise an aluminized shade product - we've used Aluminet from Greentek and various LS Svensson products with very good results.

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From: Susan B <honeybunny442 at yahoo.com> on 2018.07.02 at 16:58:27(23855)
I've always gotten our shadecloth from FarmTek, they have good prices and fast shipping. I've used the taped and grommetted, and also the plain cloth with the clampy things and find them both easy to use. They also have something called Svensson Solaro that looks like it could work for you. With any of these companies you could probably call and tell them what you need and they can steer you in the right direction too. You'll probably also have to check with a homeowners or building board to see if they will allow a shade.
Susan

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From: Steve Marak <samarak at gizmoworks.com> on 2018.07.02 at 19:46:26(23856)
Another vote here for getting pre-taped and grommeted shade
cloth, if it comes in a form factor that fits your needs. You can
buy grommets and tape and a tool and do it by hand yourself if you
must - we have - but it's a pain and I'm convinced they don't last
as well and aren't as strong as the machine-done ones.

Also another vote for white or aluminized cloth - much cooler
than black/green/brown. We've tried them all and we're getting rid
of everything else.

Steve

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From: Rosalind Gold <rozgold at pacbell.net> on 2018.07.08 at 04:16:29(23858)
Steve and Clinton:

Thank you both for your responses. As I was looking at the various places to buy shade cloth, I had to chuckle at all of the sites touting the advantages of black shade cloth for retaining heat - just another example of how so many gardening supply places seem to cater to customers living in relatively cold climates. And yes, getting the pre-taped cloth with grommets looks like the way to go. I just don't have the patience to sit and put them in.

thanks again, and good growing!

-Roz

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