Mirrors in green house

[Philthy]

I have a reflective panel behind the overwintering potted plants indoors, to maximise the light from the window and prevent some of the lean that would otherwise occur.

My greenhouse has a permanently shaded corner and plants growing there never reach the same proportions as those growing in other areas.

So I was wondering whether putting mirrors in this corner would be a good idea.
The concern is the intensity of the light if it's passed from above through what is a predominantly glass structure rather than the partial transfer side on through a window.
In other words could the reflected light be damaging, maybe even burn plants?

Thoughts? Thanks

[Nicos]

Hmm ...physics question of the day?
...bit early for dusting off the old sleepy brain !

Initial thoughts are it's a great idea as it's only providing light from another direction.
It's not a lens so it's not concentrating the light to cause a burn.

The temp might rise more though during the day inside the greenhouse because of the reflected Infrared light being reflected back inside? ??????
Maybe let it get dusty in the summer when the temperatures rise if that is the case???

Bet I've missed something important with my aspect of the physics?!!!!!!

[spamvindaloo]

I think we had this question a few months ago and came to the conclusion that reflected sunlight had no more energy than direct sunlight from a flat mirror.

However, a concave mirror would concentrate and intensify the energy so you don't want one of those

[jackarmy]

I hace a corner like that in my greenhouse and i find that mu cucumbers love it there.

[seasprout]

Use a space blanket,much cheaper and easier to use.

[lottie dolly]

I used to put plants on a dressing table with a long mirror on,and turned the mirror to the window,they grew lovely,the window and mirror faced to the east,i miss it now,as the room is occupied.

[alldigging]

The cannabis growers use that shiny foil on huge rolls.. mylar? something like that.
Ask your local police force who they donate the pots and new compost etc to when they clear out cannabis farms. They used to give them to allotment groups but I think one non-allotment group has commandered them all for Oldham.

[Snadger]

Geoff Hamilton used to always extol the virtues of a 'Light box' for seedlings. Basically cut the front out of a cardboard box and line with kitchen foil. Put your seedlings on window sill in box and reflected light should stop them from leaning too much!

Always meant to try it, but never got round to it! Maybe now's the time to give it a go?

[Guest]

I think there was a similar thread a year or so ago and in the end it seemed that white card was better than tin foil as the grey element in tinfoil actually absorbed heat/ light.

I have no chance of finding the thread to check, all I can remember is Kristen put a lengthy knowledgeable post on there

[Philthy]

Science wasn't my forte at school so I figured best err on the side of caution with the technical stuff

I'm not thinking about seeds so much, it's more for later in the year but I want to kit out the space now while I have a largely empty greenhouse.

Space blanket is a great idea. My job is in the sign industry so luckily I have ready access to a range of reflective materials, including mirrored finishes or plain gloss whites, so it wouldn't be too difficult to install a couple of panels in the shady corner.

Thanks for the replies.

[Snadger]

As an aside, I once put an old mirror in the chicken run to see the chooks reaction to it.
Priceless is all I can say!

Apologies for tangetising thread.................. again!

[bramble]

The back wall behind my greenhouse was just made of cement blocks. I painted it white, and while I have no genuine proof, it certainly seems to have improved the light levels on that side of the greenhouse.

[Bigmallly]

I know it's a totally different subject but there was discussion of reflective materials in this thread:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...hts_69290.html

[veggiechicken]

As an aside, I once put an old mirror in the chicken run to see the chooks reaction to it.
Priceless is all I can say!

Apologies for tangetising thread.................. again!

I put a voice-activated tape recorder in with my chooks overnight. My psychiatrist neighbour said it was the most relaxing tape he'd ever heard and pinched it to play to his patients
Just ignore me..............back to mirrors

[Snadger]

I put a voice-activated tape recorder in with my chooks overnight. My psychiatrist neighbour said it was the most relaxing tape he'd ever heard and pinched it to play to his patients
Just ignore me..............back to mirrors

Yeah, they sort of coo,rustle and chuckle to themselves when they are roosting. I agree,very relaxing!

Handy for you having a trick cyclist living next door to you VC!