Hardening tent: Shade colour
 

As part of our expansion plans I am now planning a rather larger hardening tent for 20-30cm plantlets and also for plants issued from pups. There is quite a lot of debate about the "one size fits all" type of shade we should use. I am clearly inclined to use 50 percent shade but what about the colour? Green or black? White?
Can you share your experiences
Thanks in advance to all contributors
:nanadrink:

Re: Hardening tent: Shade colour
 

ME....Zone 5/6 uses 30% black poly shade cloth for hardening and growing out tender woodland plants all year long.
I will grow about 45 banana plants under this cloth.

While I do not have the operation you have... I grow out shade and semi shade plants.
Mine is 16 x24 enough to harden 100+- plants of all sorts.

Locally (Ohio) pro daylilly and hosta hybridizers use black poly in 16x10 x75 tunnels.

The same method should be viable for tender bananas

Many Florida nurserys/growers use the same type of black cloth.

I have seen green and green and white stripe....seems to be a non issue for nurserys and aesthetics are an issue.

It seems cost could be issue.... the material is somewhat inexpensive.

My black poly shade material has lasted 15+ years.
Once you go black.....you grow it like you stole it.:08:

Re: Hardening tent: Shade colour
 

Color is not relevant when it comes to shade cloth. If you disagree then send me a PM and we can have a physics conversation.

In my years of propagation at 32° latitude I preferred 30% shade cloth for plant starts and hardening.

Re: Hardening tent: Shade colour
 

Colourwise, I am quite in agreement and I have not yet found any conclusive science in favour of any particular colour.
Being at 18° latitude, I am more inclined to go for 50% shade. As the tent is to measure 200m2 at first, extendable to 800m2 in stages, I would like to get it right the first time.:waving:

Re: Hardening tent: Shade colour
 

I use 50% on my new big one. My old smaller one was 30% if I remember correctly. I had no trouble with 30% but I believe I prefer my 50% that I’m currently. Richard is correct as always, color doesn’t matter. Black always seems to be less expensive when I buy mine.

Re: Hardening tent: Shade colour
 

Thanks for the input Ty, just trying now to find 4 meter wide rolls. These are available here when the factories have an order for them. Black is also slightly cheaper and will most likely be the choice. It's an easy build.

Re: Hardening tent: Shade colour
 

I have no experience with shade cloths, but, I know from experimenting with artificial light that blue light is necessary for plants to develop pigments that protect it from UV. Since your plants will later be exposed to direct sunlight, I advise against green which may filter out too much blue. Also, all else equal, diffused light is better for plants than unidirectional light that casts shadows. If white shade cloth diffuses light (I don't know whether it does. It may depend on the brand.), I would recommend it over black.