Recycled bell cloche from industrial acrylic lamp shades !

[no_akira]

Found these in a skip, retrieved x6 to use as Bell Cloches for some of my sown direct seeds for this years plot



Made from Acrylic plastic.

Last year I had a lot of success with growing climbing plants (eg beans) in a ring of 8 plants surrounded by a 14" bottomless pot. The pot acted as a mechanical barrier against "the onslaught" (slugs & snails). Once the plants established themselves I removed the pot barrier I then fanned them out along a frame.

Thinking about pasting some reflective material on the inner surface of 1/3 of the bell cloche to act as a sun reflector ? Perhaps cover them in bubble wrap for insulation.

[Cadalot]

Nice find and re purpose

[no_akira]

They come in 2 sizes, the ones in the photo which are 16" diameter as well as a 22". Which I didn't take as I just thought they were too big.

[Greenleaves]

I would not add the reflective foil for fear of cooking the plants

[no_akira]

Would only be using the cloches in the March / April time period with it slightly lower light levels and intensity... maybe

[Greenleaves]

Possibly, but dont forget the refractive properties of the acrylic, try one with and one without perhaps

[Bigmallly]

I would have thought shading the cloche would increase shade due to the angle.

[no_akira]

It would just be a small, 6-10" semi circle patch pasted onto the inner south facing part of the shade to act as an extra mini reflector.



Strange thing about these acrylic translucent shades is they are deflecting light downwards. See above photo illustrating the light being bent downwards direction?

[Bigmallly]

That's because it's a light shade & is designed to reflect the light from the bulb. That was my query re shading, how are you going to get the light inside to reflect without the use of mirrors.

[veggiechicken]

Would only be using the cloches in the March / April time period with it slightly lower light levels and intensity... maybe

Cloches are to protect plants from harsh weather and pests, warm the soil and maintain humidity not increase or intensify light levels to plants.

[Nicos]

Nice find!
If all else fails, paint them black and put them over your rhubarb!

[Bigmallly]

Personally I would adapt a sliding door on top & just use them as bell cloches. I'm sure you will get enough light March - April.

[cheapskate chaz]

I have used the plastic blueish water bottles that you find in offices to the same effect, some have handles moulded into them and some have not, both types have caps which when unscrewed allow air to circulate. Cutting the bottoms off about an inch or two up, gives you a water tray for pots.
Ask the local water bottle suppliers if they have returns to chuck out for free!....my favourite price.

[no_akira]

Something like this then cheapskate_chaz ?

I'd got a couple of these out of a skip end of last year. They went over an outdoor chilli plant successfullly.

[no_akira]

Update on how these acrylic cloches have been working...

Ring of Sacrificial Sunflower maidens as an offering to entice the slug & snails out into the open were my Song Thrush army & my one seriously territorial Robin can decimate them... mwahahaha

Parsnips are coming on nicely