Shade Structures for Orchids

Shade Cloth Structures

• Greenhouses provide shelter from the elements and the ability to retain the high humidity that orchids require, and with the addition of shade cloth they keep orchids from being sun-burned. A lath house is a simple structure with four supports and narrow roof beams spaced close together, often with shade cloth draped over it to provide additional shade. Shade houses are similar, but made with sturdier supports so that orchids may be hung from the supports. Both of these are more useful in areas with appropriate temperature and humidity for orchids but that lack natural shade.

Semi-Opaque Material Structures

• Greenhouses fitted with semi-opaque panels create an environment with soft, diffused light ideal for growing orchids. Polythene tunnels are a fabric alternative. They are often used as crop row covers, and are a small, relatively inexpensive alternative to greenhouse structures. However, polythene degrades in the sunlight over the years and will rip when high winds send branches or other objects at them. A sheltered location will help extend the life of polythene materials.

Structures with Plants

• Pergolas, archways and even greenhouse interiors overgrown with vines or other plants will provide a very similar dappled shade effect to that of the trees that orchids naturally grow under for protection from the sun. The structure need only provide support, but additional protection from the sun in the form of lattice work will be especially useful as the vine grows in or if the vine is deciduous and drops its leaves during cool weather.

Considerations

• Of all of these structures, only polythene structures and greenhouses provide the added advantage of cold weather protection. Orchids vary in hardiness, so the structure used should match not only the light requirements for the orchids, but also the temperature requirements unless the orchids are potted and will be moved indoors for the winter.