I have a greenhouse outside. Im fitting it for tropical plants like Philodendrons and Monsteras and Alocasias. We live in TX, its HOT. Im trying to decide what color/density/fabric i should use to protect it. I have done some research already and im hearing a lighter color would do better to keep it cool on the interior of my greenhouse. Im also going to be installing some mist systems. So the fabric needs to be able to handle higher humidity. Does anyone have any suggestions to keep my greenhouse under 85° in the peak of summer 😅 cause im lost.
by No-Assignment-1711
10 Comments
That has windows right? Open them and the door, but that won’t get it below 85 but will help some.
You’ll want the shade cloth on the outside if you want it to help keep it cool, ideally a few inches off rather than just sitting on it. You’ll also need some vents to allow the hot air out but that won’t be able to get it below ambient temps.
For additional cooling your options are mist systems, evaporative cooler or an AC unit. The first 2 work best when you live in a low humidity environment.
For what it’s worth, I’m in Texas and my greenhouse gets over a hundred sometimes even with an internal and exhaust fans. My monsteras, philodendrons and other tropical plants do just fine with the heat, I just keep them plenty wet. I used to use a shadecloth, but didn’t find it worth the effort this year and things have done fine.
I’m in southern Arizona, and I do all of the following:
At least 1 side of the door open, often both sides. I installed roof caps for vents in the roof. It originally had those flap windows before but the wind makes short work of them, so replaced with vent caps. Have an evap cooler running from like April/May to end of Sept, during hottest time of day. I always have at least one oscillating fan running.
And finally, to get to your specific ask, I use black 50% coolaroo shade cloth on both sides of the roof. I would’ve gotten white but couldn’t find it.
Without all of these measures, my greenhouse gets into the 130s/140s in summer. With all of these measures, the hottest it gets is 110 which is pretty much where I want things capped (I grow mostly cacti and succulents).
I use shade cloth, the density matters, 30% is more open, where 70% is very tight.
Depending on the season,
I change mine, winter is 30% as it’s over greenhouse plastic. It will keep the plastic on. And shade 30%.
Summer is 2 shade clothes, one end of my greenhouse is in the shade, one end in the sun. It’s 30 at the shade and 70 in the sun.
My Dad grew orchids, and he hung a semi transparent shower curtain across ceiling.
I’ve used one from territorial seed company and it was very durable, also here in hot south ga sun it kept my lettuces cool enough to grow an iceberg when usually I couldn’t here
https://preview.redd.it/iyigmh0rtuhf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b9f1fa892fce569b4b1029a9a4cc883c16a2154
I’ve seen people mix some garden lime in water and do a light white wash on the greenhouse roof to provide some shade with minimal cost and effort
https://preview.redd.it/4ev5s885wuhf1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5fc481d018e7aa06f3472c6da56be373fa5f5e58
More of that territorial seed company shade cloth. It let the sun in but kept it cool.
Put a white tarp on the outside to diffuse the light. Ideally the tarp should not touch the roof of the greenhouse.