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San Diego

I'm confused about shading my seedlings, and later, whether I should expend the effort, time and money to shade the entire plant. Doesn't shade cloth cut down on the light my plants are using to grow? Do all serious growers shade their plants or are there different theories about what is correct to do? Thanks.

5/18/2013 12:26:42 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

Hey Kevin

Didn't use shade cloth last year and my plants suffered from flagging leaves. Not sure where you are in Socal but most of the growers in the hotter climates use shade cloth. I put up a shade structure this year with 22% cloth. Some growers recommended 30% but most all recommend something. The shade cloth should let in plenty of light to sustain growth. All the sunlight in the world wont help an overheated plant.

I am just one season removed from my rookie year but did a fair amount of homework on this in the off season.

5/18/2013 1:04:24 AM

Ohio

I leave my hoop houses (2ft by 4ft ,roughly)up as long as possible, or until it outgrows it to shade the young leaves from the sun , or for a surprise hail storm, I always shade the first couple feet growing out at the end of my main vine also. The hot sun can do a lot of damage in less then a few hours if your not careful.

5/18/2013 3:05:07 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I'm sure Fredricks will chime in on this one. He doesn't live to far from you Kevin and shades through the whole season with amazing results!

5/18/2013 3:31:56 PM

San Diego

I grew with no shade cloth the first 6 years. Had good results but plants suffered burn even with misting constantly. Switched to shade cloth in 2009, used 40%. Grew a personal best 779 lbs. I wanted to try 22% and used it last 3 years, weights have been bigger each year. I still mist even with shade cloth. Only downfall with the 22% is that I still get burn on new growth when real hot even when misting is used too. I like the 22%, but still shade my tips with 40 when needed.

Depends on plant too, some plants handle heat better than others. If it is a weenie plant in the heat, 22% will not do much good! Weenies need 40%:) So, it depends.

5/18/2013 4:27:32 PM

San Diego

Thank you all for the great information! Looks like I will be putting up some shade!

5/18/2013 7:37:28 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

I am going to try shade this year after the hell I went through last year. Misting doesn't help sunburn, it only helps for cooling. Just like when you are in a swimming pool. You feel cool but still get sunburn!!!

5/19/2013 11:09:34 AM

Muddy Waters

Its hot here today in the 80s Im shading my kin plants that are starting to vine out.They looked a little hot so I hung weed barrier over the hoops to keep the 2 oclock sun off.We went from winter to summer.no spring?

5/19/2013 3:58:42 PM

San Diego

joe,

misting does help burn, It's just that when it gets real hot in our southern climate, you need both. Growing regions have big differences on what is needed in one areao ver another.

5/19/2013 11:21:36 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

yes- your right. my definition of hot in Canada is likely a nice spring day in San Diego!!!!

5/20/2013 8:01:47 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

I've actually installed multiple densities of Shade cloth now. I've got a 'hot spot' near where the stump will be that gets the brunt of the heat. I've got a 30% shade cloth overlapping the 22%. The balance of the patch is shaded only with 22%.
The fogger misters are also installed now and the timer is all set up. Plants will go in the ground in the next couple days!

5/20/2013 11:18:08 AM