Put up shade cloth today to block some of the hot afternoon sun off my pursalene, lantana, penta, and calibaroche ( which had begun to look like a dead spider). I need help again dear friends. My next door neighbor wanted to know why I put up the shade cloth and I told her it was suggested to me. She wanted to know why didn't I transplant instead as putting up cloth then taking it down when the sun goes softer and not so intense. Ok now plant warriors explain to me, I do mind being ignorant I just don't want to look like it. Thanks and help. after I took down the shade cloth my plants looked frisky.

Blessings

Are you saying you put the cloth up & then take it down everyday? So, you put it up mid day & take it down evenings every day?

By keeping your plants where they are planted, you are allowing them to settle in permanently. Even the hardiest of guys require extra care for the first year or so to get properly settled in. If you were to lift them instead and transplant them later, they would have to start the settling in process all over. I hope this helps

flaflwrgrl said:Are you saying you put the cloth up & then take it down everyday? So, you put it up mid day & take it down evenings every day?

Great question.

Well to answer the question yes put up around 2 pm and take down around sunset I feel like I am working around the clock guess I need to move the plants after all. I wish I could learn all these things at first. Thanks for your response.

Blessings

It won't hurt if you leave the shade cloth up 24/7.

But only IF you are using shade cloth that doesn't block all the light. Did you buy real mesh "Shade Cloth" from the garden center, or are you just using regular fabric? Sounds like it's helping the plants a LOT, whatever it is!

Could you sew or staple a rod on your shade cloth so you can just roll it up when you don't need it, to make things easier?

At this hottest time of year, as Ann says it won't hurt to give those plants shade and let them establish. By the end of August, I'd think they will be well rooted, and the sun will be gentler as well, so you won't have to shade them any more. Keep it for next spring when you start planting again, though!

Elaine I bought it from Lowes garden center and noticed the plants were not shriveled up and parched looking when I took it down even noticed my living room was cooler also yes Ann stated I could leave up 24/7 which takes a load off me. I am so grateful for my friends here. With all the help I am getting I am going to make it after all.

Blessings

, just leave it up until you're comfortable in full sun. When the days start getting markedly cooler and the sun is less intense, then consider taking it down.

Here's a comparison from my gardens today:

Columbine in full sun. Blech!





Columbine in a southern exposure, but under the constant protection of shade sails.



Huge difference!

Shade Cloth comes in a variety of percentages...
https://www.shadeclothstore.co...

Edit to add:
If you live in a 'small' town you may have to special order the type you need for your particular application.

Chelle and you can really tell the difference in the plants I am going to use sun shade and keep mine pretty also. I bought all they had and it is orange really stands out in a front yard but I got what I could. Next year y'all are gonna see some pictures and hear me roar. Greene for the link. Been on here a short time and am learning so much. All opinions are appreciated.

Blessings

You're very welcome, Sandra.

We'll be looking forward to seeing those pretty pictures!

I saw a diagram where someone set up a "lean-to" with just a few slats directly north and above a plant. That way, the shadow only fell on the plants around Noon.

The slats were spaced apart so that they gave around 50% shade.

You could put up the poles and position the slats just before the hottest opart of the day, and check it a few hours later to see if you were creating shade in the right spots at the right times.

But it might be difficult to make this look good!

Rick for the information, I have sunscreen up but is not affixed permanently. Perhaps you could send me a version of your lean to example. Anything has to be better than my glow in the dark sun screen I have. You guys have so much information that I am glad to soak in.

Blessings

I put shade on some of my plants that needs it this summer. I just leave it there. Mine is not a shade cloth, a white, round corrugated plastic which allows bright light to pass through. And it does help..intense heat in summer is really tough for some of the plants. It is only for some container plants that I have.

Sandra, you could try spray painting your orange shade cloth with dusty green, or brown so it wouldn't be so glaring.

There are types of spray paint that stick to plastic just fine. It might actually make the shade cloth last longer, too.

Sandra, I don't have an example to photograph. You could use waxed twine to lash bamboo poles together, or nail or screw scrap lumber together.

The idea would be to support a pole horizontally above the plants (North of the bed), and then lean poles or sticks down from the horizontal pole to the ground, south and maybe south-west of the plants so that afternoon sun casts shadows on the plant.

Think "Boy Scout" improvised shelter:
https://www.google.com/search?...

Or park a sawhorse north of the bed and lean poles or boards from there down to the south edge of the bed.

I found a few images online somewhat like what I'm thinking of:









Here are many super-fancy images of "lath houses", built better than my little manufactured home:

https://www.google.com/search?...

Rick this is pretty awesome and does not look like I it would put me in the poor house. Certainly looks better than what I have up at present. I will explore the possibility of taking a picture of my sun screen. Again, for the posting.

Blessings

Sandra, you could also use something like this for the "shade cloth".

Ann example did not come through.

Sandra