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Maine

Several years ago Lowes sold a good "clear" 6 mil plastic that was actually clear. These days all "clear" 6mil plastic sheeting is opaque or cloudy. I need to decide whether to buy the cloudy stuff or upgrade and spend the extra money for greenhouse quality. I don't want to make is expensive because hoop houses stay up for only a little over a month each year in my patch.
1, Has anyone had success and/or had trouble growing using the cloudy opaque plastic sheeting?
2. If decision is to upgrade to good clear greenhouse quality, where can I find an inexpensive option online?
Thanks for any help in advance. Charlie

3/26/2015 3:20:53 PM

Halifax, PA

I had the same problem and started buying it here. http://www.interplas.com/

3/26/2015 3:56:11 PM

Plainville, Connecticut 06062

Johhny's Seeds sells the real clear plastic in 4 mil. You can find Johnny's Seeds on the Internet.

3/26/2015 4:25:24 PM

Wixom MI.

I have only used a cloudy plastic because that was all i could find. But my plants come outjust fine. I can't see any differance in plant growth

3/26/2015 4:41:29 PM

Susquehanna,pa

I used the cloudy plastic last year and it worked just fine.

3/26/2015 5:01:52 PM

Webster, NY

I used 6 ml cloudy and was all right

3/26/2015 5:45:31 PM

Massachusetts

I ordered the greenhouse poly from Joel Holland last year for the first time. It is listed under growing supplies. I am very happy with the quality of the product. Much clearer and more durable than the Home Depot stuff I was using. Don't know if it added any pounds or not.

3/26/2015 5:59:53 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

FYI-The opaque plastic will also help shade your young plant from direct sunlight. Depending on the style of your hoophouse/clotche, you'll need windows or some method for air flow. I cut windows in the plastic on my dome style clotches when it gets hot. The temp inside the clotche is cooler because of the shading effect of the opaque plastic. Tape the windows closed on cool nights. Good Luck.

3/26/2015 6:20:06 PM

Columbus Ohio

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/ScroungeCentralDisplay?catalogId=11551&categoryId=46354&group=%24ALL%24&subGroup=777&top=N&breadcrumb_trail=%7cGreenhouse+Film+Remnants&breadcrumb_categoryIds=%7c46354&maxRecords=20

Try here. They are remnants at good prices.

3/26/2015 7:09:03 PM

Princeville, IL

I buy my greenhouse plastic for the school greenhouses from the Greenhouse MegaStore. Also known as International Greenhouse Supply Co. Cheapest price I have found and a lot of size options. I usually replace the plastic on the houses every 4-5 years.

3/26/2015 7:12:41 PM

Omaha, Ne.

green house grade plastic is uv protected. regular plastic is not so all that means is over time it will it becomes brittle over time and tears. there's no problem using the cheap stuff over the short term.

3/26/2015 7:37:23 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I use the greenhouse plastic when we paint houses Darren.

Works great!

3/26/2015 7:58:47 PM

norway , maine

Charlie I have used the clear and cloudy and haven't noticed a big difference,,,but then again i have never grown a 1400 lb pumpkin...nice job last year and good luck this year- mitch

3/26/2015 9:52:49 PM

valparaiso, in

I buy the 3 mil from Menards in the big box. It is the clear plastic. It works fine. Just replace when needed after a few years for normal wear and tear.

3/26/2015 10:46:05 PM

Eugene,OR

The cloudy plastic is fine if it is only up for a couple months...then it falls apart, but then it is time to take it down anyway because your plant has outgrown the hot house.

3/27/2015 12:42:56 AM

Muddy Waters

Yeah Russ is right.A plant only needs 50% of the suns intensity to be 100% productive.I have 2 layers on at times.I layer 6 mil plastic 200$ a roll for 40 X 100.I also have the insect screen on to keep the bugs out.Together Im loosing 40% of the suns intensity.Even on a cloudy day there getting enough sun.The 6 mil is good for 2 years laying on the ground rolled up most of the summer.I leave it there and pull it over the house when they call for heavy rains.I wouldn't spend my money on greenhouse quality.Better off to spend that money on ferts.

3/27/2015 7:34:57 AM

Muddy Waters

Oh I have tested the this(sun rays) with digital lighting equipment.This is how I came to my conclusion

3/27/2015 7:36:37 AM

Central Illinois

Regular 4 mil only lasted 2 days here with our winds ,the cloudy greenhouse 6 mil has lasted through 2 full springs

3/27/2015 8:12:34 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I have been using 4 mil plastic sheeting... The kind contractors use been like 3 or 4 years.. Kinda cloudy... The clear has burnt up baby kin plants for me in the past.. Cheap or expensive... I'm cheap.. Allows more $ on kins.. Hit the expensive stuff with tiller once and let me know how you feel hit cheap stuff with tiller and say opps oh well.. I build hoops (12) for about 13 or 14 bucks all materials considered per hoop... Have had them for years so I guess for a couple of dollars per year I'll repeat what has been working just fine. .. I use team pumpkin 6x 6 hoops...

3/27/2015 9:45:56 AM

Lexington, Ky

I use poly...way cheaper, much more durable. It's a little on the breathable side too which helps here in the south.

3/27/2015 11:14:18 AM

Lexington, Ky

Polyethylene 6 mil "clear"

3/27/2015 11:39:50 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Find a Local greenhouse and ask for their remnants, or plastic when they replace. They will gladly give you more than you can use

3/27/2015 2:16:48 PM

Maine

Thanks for all the input folks. Good luck growing this season.

3/27/2015 3:27:23 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Shannon is right.

Ya gotta love the local nursery for these kinds of things!

3/27/2015 4:09:45 PM

Muddy Waters

My local green house.Will look at you like a dog you just showed a card trick to.If you asked such a question.There a multi million dollar operation with no time for such things.

Just saying,fair warning for some.

3/28/2015 7:53:29 AM

Belgium

just some info if you guys are interested :

http://www.hyplast.be/downloads/brochure/20_1SmallSize_LeafletTunnelfolie2007_ENG.pdf

3/28/2015 12:33:39 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Good point handy, I grew up with our local nursery guy so never really thought about it.

3/28/2015 12:58:18 PM