What can be done to prevent plants from getting sunburn from UVA and UVB rays?
Plant experts and gardening enthusiasts agree: the sun is the elixir of life that significantly promotes the growth of flowering and green plants and keeps them healthy for a long time. The magic word for this is photosynthesis. This process takes place in the leaves by converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose. Oxygen is produced, which is essential for cell respiration and is also released into the environment.
However, under certain circumstances, plants also have to contend with the negative consequences of excessive sunlight. The UVA and UVB rays contained in sunlight cause an increase in oxygen radicals. The undesirable consequence is sunburn on the leaves and stems, which is clearly recognizable even to laymen because of the brown spots. It reduces the growth of the plant and may even cause it to die. Potted plants that are brought outside by their owners in spring after a long winter or seedlings in the greenhouse are particularly affected. To acclimatize them to their new environment, it is therefore advisable to first accustom them to the outdoor season in a shady to semi-shady spot for around one to two weeks.
Play it safe with the greenhouse
The conditions in the greenhouse are somewhat different, as the glass already filters out a large proportion of UVA and UVB rays thanks to its specific properties and ensures a more even distribution of light and heat. Greenhouses with frosted glass elements in particular, such as those from SunElements, enhance this effect, which reduces the intensity of the incident light and optimizes temperature control. Nevertheless, the plants inside naturally continue to receive sufficient light for healthy development and successful photosynthesis.
The optimum quality of the frosted glass greenhouse also depends on other factors. These include the climatic conditions and individual requirements. The location also plays a major role. Is the greenhouse partly in the shade anyway or is it exposed to the blazing sun from morning to night? These are important questions that everyone should answer before building a greenhouse. Depending on the initial situation, options with fully or only partially frosted glazing (acrylic glass also protects) would then be conceivable. If necessary, further improvements can be achieved through the use of fans and the strategic installation of windows.
Conclusion: The use of frosted glass or acrylic glass for greenhouses is an effective option for reducing UVA and UVB rays, particularly in sunny areas, which benefits the plants. The reward for this strategic approach is rich yields and a fascinating display of flowers that provide pleasure all summer long.
