This might be a silly idea, but is there a way to bounce more natural
sun light onto plants that are in the shade part of the day? I read
that tin foil won't work because it takes out the blue-green light
that plants need. What about a white reflective card, or a mirror.
Would any of these work ?

I don't want to use grow lights.

thanks

On 19 Apr 2007 11:26:39 -0700, TrailGuy
wrote:

This might be a silly idea, but is there a way to bounce more natural
sun light onto plants that are in the shade part of the day?
-snip-

Plant a white clapboard house nearby? I'm at about the same
latitude as Albany, NY. I should not have much growth on the
north side of my house. But there is a house about 50 feet north of
me and I am able to grow shade tolerant plants right up to my
foundation. [both houses are oriented so the south side gets maximum
sun and the north gets squat--- the neighbor had a forest to his
north and can get nothing to grow on his north side]

Dock, ferns & Angelica thrive-- but I've had good luck with wild
thyme, Bee Balm [Monarda didyma] and chives to within 3 feet of the
north side of my house where no direct sun ever shines. [clay soil
is a bigger problem there than low light] I've got some Iris about
10' from the house & it does OK-- probably gets an hour or two of
sun mid-summer.

OTOH- There are some very interesting shade lovers out there if you're
trying to dress up a shady area. Check out the Hosta's & ferns at
the Hosta Farm-
http://www.hostafarm.com/plants-blue.html

Usually it is easier to plant what will grow someplace than to alter
the environment.

Jim

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 07:54:37 -0400, Jim Elbrecht
wrote:

On 19 Apr 2007 11:26:39 -0700, TrailGuy
wrote:

This might be a silly idea, but is there a way to bounce more natural
sun light onto plants that are in the shade part of the day?
-snip-

Not silly at all. They do it all the time on movie/TV sets, whether
on stages or on the street. You may have seen those silver-colored
reflectors that are used to regulate the lighting. I guess you could
either buy one of those ($$$???) or make your own with a frame and
rolls of aluminum foil.

I assume you have found that the plants NEED more sunlight?

Persephone

[...snippage...]