AusBonsai

Hi,
Has anyone built benches with a shade covering.
I have looked through the older posts but found nothing, except a type of greenhouse.
Michael

How about this ? viewtopic.php?f=29&t=8225&start=0&hilit=rhs

Tony

Hi toohey
I've had most of my bonsai under shade cloth for decades. It is a 70%, 'red' cloth, stung up on poles like shade sails, some 2m or so above the trees. It allows plenty of side light and fresh air through.

I chose 'red' only because plants use red light for photosynthesis and dump the green as a 'waste product' .... So increasing 'green' light doesn't help the plants if they are not naturally found in dark understoreys of a green canopy above.

The plants have grown just fine, though I have moved a few out to full sun. The gentler light is good for some and less so for some others. But, having said that, the real issue is probably not the light but the degree to which the shade cloth lessens evapotranspiration in hot weather.
Cheers
Roger

Michael, if you are going to incorporate shadecloth into the design of bonsai benches, make sure that the shade material is easily removed or is retractable, to allow as much sun exposure as possible in Autumn, Winter and Spring.

Cheers,
Mojo

Hi Michael
This is what I built for my Bonsai.
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=3278
I've now got a 30% shade cloth over it.
Brad

Hey michael,this is what I have done, not a cheap option but my maples love it
and its not a bad spot for a beer on a scorcher
not any good for conifers or pines thou thats what the benches in front are for

Very nice you must love your maples no problem with air circulation there?

down here in tassie i dont think there is a better tree for bonsai ,plenty of different colours through out the season
and very forgiving .
no problems with air circulation ,always seems to be a breeze where i live
cheers jason