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.

Nice find and re purpose

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.

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

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

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

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

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?