Shade Cloth

If I'm growing during consecutive 100+ degree days, how beneficial are shade cloths? I have done this without shade cloth and everything seemed fine (no burning, wilting, etc.), but I'm more curious on the yield aspect. I do think my yield suffered from this. I have not heard much on shade cloths and their relation to yield. I'm thinking I should get a 65% cloth for next season. Thoughts?

Your yield will be higher without it + you'll have denser buds without it.

Most use the 30% shade cloth,it helps to keep the plant growing during the hottest part of veg.If you get the occasional rain it will deflect most of it off of the plant and it also is nice to cut down on wind and dust it used as a wall.

ForeverGreen42 said:

Your yield will be higher without it + you'll have denser buds without it.

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Won't they be severely stunted just leaving them in the sun during really hot days?

These guys use it.....

cindywhite said:

Won't they be severely stunted just leaving them in the sun during really hot days?

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large plants have more leaves. The more vegetation you have the more evaporation you get. The more evaporation you get the cooler the plants will be. That's why small plants don't do so well in the heat but larger ones do just fine.

100F is not even 40c (daytime summer weather temps here and close to swimming temps- need over 40c to start thinking of going for a dip) is not to hot for them in the full sun as long as they are not thirsty. They thrive in far warmer climates than 100F.

Shade cloth can contribute to mold in the buds later in the season. Seems to trap the humidity.

Like Dr pecker and the guy above me said. I've always experienced them growing much faster the warmer it is. One month we didn't have a day that dropped below 108 degrees F and it seemed like I could literally see them growing minute by minute lol. Just have to make sure they have adequate water/bites. Bigger containers/plants will def help to. Main big advantage I see to shade cloth or greenhouse plastic is protect from hail. They adjust to the wind and heat just fine outdoors. Best of luck!

doublejj said:

These guys use it.....
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That is exactly why I thought I may need it. The climate where i would be growing is very similar to that and so is the terrain. I'd be growing in max sun,no shade at all.

eddy600 said:

Most use the 30% shade cloth,it helps to keep the plant growing during the hottest part of veg.If you get the occasional rain it will deflect most of it off of the plant and it also is nice to cut down on wind and dust it used as a wall.

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I think the 30% is a good idea for those consecutive 105+ degree days. Hail is also another huge reason I will be using shade cloth over greenhouse plastic.

Thank you all for the info. It is very much appreciated!

a shade cloth can be good or bad depending on the amount of humidity your plants are exposed to. If the OP lives in a dry climate 10% to 15% humidity plants to my experience just survive once the temperature passes 100f,With a shade cloth over head they thrive and grow with the heat.

cindywhite said:

That is exactly why I thought I may need it. The climate where i would be growing is very similar to that and so is the terrain. I'd be growing in max sun,no shade at all.

I think the 30% is a good idea for those consecutive 105+ degree days. Hail is also another huge reason I will be using shade cloth over greenhouse plastic.

Thank you all for the info. It is very much appreciated!

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If you live in a desert environment 10% to 15% humidity plants seem to just survive at 100*F and above with the shade cloth they thrive as others have described in high heat.

ive had shadecloth above my mj the past 10 yrs...never affected quality that's for sure yield wise I wouldn't know im not in the sunniest spot I can be anyways

eddy600 said:

a shade cloth can be good or bad depending on the amount of humidity your plants are exposed to. If the OP lives in a dry climate 10% to 15% humidity plants to my experience just survive once the temperature passes 100f,With a shade cloth over head they thrive and grow with the heat.

If you live in a desert environment 10% to 15% humidity plants seem to just survive at 100*F and above with the shade cloth they thrive as others have described in high heat.

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I live in a very deserty area like that, have done shade cloth and just straight outside.. the ones without shade cloth always grew quicker and yielded denser nugs.. Just my experience though. They were all in a minimum of 300 gallon holes

cindywhite said:

That is exactly why I thought I may need it. The climate where i would be growing is very similar to that and so is the terrain. I'd be growing in max sun,no shade at all.

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I grew in the red dirt of the Kimberly desert North Western Australia. (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Kemberly+desert+north+western+australia&rlz=1C1ASUT_enAU412AU434&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=662&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiCvLDns8jQAhXFTrwKHUncDhoQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1#imgrc=lmT0MKbEjABJkM:) Full sun all day and no shade..fkn hot..dirt gets so hot u get blisters if your on bare feet if ur silly enough to walk outside without thongs (unless ur an Aboriginal and or have extremely tough skin on ya feet.)