Anyone have experience with shade cloth & percentages?

I am copying "Doublejj's Carport Greenhouse" because I love how stealthy it is for in-town growing!

Only problem is, no one in this town or the closest by carry sunscreen mesh, or shade cloth in the color i would like to get (tan)

So I am forced to order online. Does anyone know what percentages will make it to where people can't see in, but still let enough light in for optimal yield? (PRIVACY IS THE MAIN CONCERN)

I am thinking I need 70% to make it not see through. Although 60% would be nice to let more light in.

I estimate my greenhouse lets about 75-80% of light in. My first year I ran it with a 30% shade cloth and had buds that were a little airy. Without it I get bud density that I am happy with. So I'd recommend 30% for the sake of the buds, but that probably won't give you as much privacy as you'd like, but now you have some feedback on what to expect.

pic of 30% shade cloth

Bugeye said:

I estimate my greenhouse lets about 75-80% of light in. My first year I ran it with a 30% shade cloth and had buds that were a little airy. Without it I get bud density that I am happy with. So I'd recommend 30% for the sake of the buds, but that probably won't give you as much privacy as you'd like, but now you have some feedback on what to expect.

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Most definitely. Thank you for taking the time to help me out so much, Bugeye. I know i've said it before, but I truly appreciate it!

During these months, you are growing in (What I would imagine to be) much more ideal temp's than me. We've been consistently hitting 90-100 almost every day & I am going to start doing light deprivation once I get everything set up. Do you think the reduced temp's could actually help with bud density/growth, or will the lack of light have the same effect regardless?

Awesome pic of the shade cloth, that helps me get a better idea for sure! I would love to use 30%, but as you said probably not enough privacy. I think if the neighbors saw a carport with that shade on it, they would probably know whats up! lol

Def. makes me rethink getting 70% though, they probably would suffer in growth then.. Maybe 60% would be a good compromise.

Just got an idea! Maybe 30% on the top half & 70% on the sides. Think this would blend in/look like a normal carport to neighbors since they can't really see the top half?

By the way, I just want to say thank you to JJ for the helpful ideas/stealthy greenhouse. Props out to you, you're awesome man!

Can you get a hard top for the carport that is diffused and not clear? Then using the 60-70% on the sides could give you the privacy you need. You may still need the 30% on top for heat.

You can still get hard buds in high heat, but you don't get that with light that gets too low. I would also going with very large pots for high heat.

Great idea, I will have to look into that. Glad you mentioned this before I ordered all of the material. Thank you for sharing this info with me, really good to know.

I think they are all going in the ground.
Speaking of that; since I am going to be doing light-dep, would it still be beneficial to fill the hole with quite a bit of soil? Don't know, but don't think they root out too much during bloom?

I'm going to start looking that up now, so may find the answer myself so don't feel obligated to answer if you don't want to. I'll post back if I figure it out.

In the ground is good if you have good soil. The worse the soil the more you should enlarge the hole and backfill with better soil.

Thanks, bro. That is something I have always wondered about, if shitty natural soil, can they sometimes outroot the backfilled soil & it cause issues? I'm assuming so based on your post. I have two in the ground right now. One with 100G & one with 150G. Seem to be loving it & thriving so far (Fingers crossed)

Extacie said:

Thanks, bro. That is something I have always wondered about, if shitty natural soil, can they sometimes outroot the backfilled soil & it cause issues? I'm assuming so based on your post. I have two in the ground right now. One with 100G & one with 150G. Seem to be loving it & thriving so far (Fingers crossed)

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Shouldn't be an issue, your roots won't grow into stuff they don't like. Bigger issue is digging big holes in clay and then having big rain that can't drain well.

Bugeye said:

Shouldn't be an issue, your roots won't grow into stuff they don't like. Bigger issue is digging big holes in clay and then having big rain that can't drain well.

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Ok cool that is good to know, i've always wondered that.
Yeah I found that out haha. Had a 5g bucket burried and after a rain it was like half filled with water even a couple of hours later.
I found that most spots where I am at once you go 2.5 feet down, it is like 50-70% rock depending which spot & drains pretty well, I think. Plus been adding about 6"-1' of gravel at the bottom as well. Hopefully that is good enough. I was in a hurry so didn't test it :/