0
Posted on 12:24 PM by Wanto and filed under
By Peter Darlings
The prime requirements will be a number of sheets of the chosen material, approximately 18 in. by 36 in., which should be trimmed into half circles based on the long side of the material, plus a number of lengths of stout galvanised wire some 36 in. long.
The methods of shading are numerous, ranging from the complicated cloth houses beloved of the American dahlia grower to the use of brown paper cones or even large cardboard boxes.
Light canes should then be driven into the ground on either side of the bloom to be shaded, long enough to come well above the height of the bloom.
Shading is effected by throwing sheets of balloon fabric or similar light, strong material over the top of the framework above the individual plants as these come into bloom, tying the material down firmly to prevent damage through flapping in high winds. Unfortunately the initial outlay is high, so that to the majority of growers it is an ideal not capable of realisation. The only other disadvantage is a tendency to deterioration in the plants if the covers are maintained in position for too long.
Any bloom shaded in this fashion is almost completely safe, because, although the whole framework may sway in high winds, unless the canes break there is no independent movement of either shade or bloom.
Many growers use large cardboard boxes for the purpose. Although a very cheap and simple method, this has the grave disadvantage of increasing colour loss on sensitive varieties, but this can be partially offset by shading at a later stage in bloom development or by placing the box high in early stages, lowering it as the bloom nears perfection. In any case not all varieties are affected.
The methods of shading are numerous, ranging from the complicated cloth houses beloved of the American dahlia grower to the use of brown paper cones or even large cardboard boxes.
Light canes should then be driven into the ground on either side of the bloom to be shaded, long enough to come well above the height of the bloom.
Shading is effected by throwing sheets of balloon fabric or similar light, strong material over the top of the framework above the individual plants as these come into bloom, tying the material down firmly to prevent damage through flapping in high winds. Unfortunately the initial outlay is high, so that to the majority of growers it is an ideal not capable of realisation. The only other disadvantage is a tendency to deterioration in the plants if the covers are maintained in position for too long.
Any bloom shaded in this fashion is almost completely safe, because, although the whole framework may sway in high winds, unless the canes break there is no independent movement of either shade or bloom.
Many growers use large cardboard boxes for the purpose. Although a very cheap and simple method, this has the grave disadvantage of increasing colour loss on sensitive varieties, but this can be partially offset by shading at a later stage in bloom development or by placing the box high in early stages, lowering it as the bloom nears perfection. In any case not all varieties are affected.
Post a Comment