Repeat, Condo on 3rd floor, N. Facing patio needs privacy

TAKE THE WATER TO THE TREES=THEN PLACE SEMI-PERMNANT TILE!!!!

Try lattice work with climbers . BTW HOA ?

"HOA does not want shades" what about outdoor drapes that are somewhat sheer. I like real Ivy HOWEVER; spiders tend to love it too and Ivy grows like crazy. What about clear shower curtains that you can create yourself with permanent markers? Good luck with your project!

Are you allowed to hang rods,shade sails would work for you

What about hanging outdoor curtains/sheers that you can pull back during the day and close off for privacy?

How about a removable frosting you can put on the sliders? We have an office here that had glass on one side of the door and the person in the office wanted privacy, so we used frosted glass tiles to cover the glass which worked nicely. You can use them on the sliders without losing light and they can be removed if you ever move. Also if you didn't want to lose the look of the outside entirely you could use them on the bottom half of the sliders. Just a thought ;)

Can you have some planters/window box size(long and narrow) that hang on the railings, either on the inside or out? Then you could plant hanging plants to become a curtain. Otherwise, long narrow planter boxes could be put against the railings and you could grow tall shrubs, grasses or even climbing plants for a curtain of greenery.

Can you attach a small thin board to the ceiling? If so add some screw hooks to the board and tie fishing line on it. Plant a couple morning Glory plants in small pots and let them climb the fishing line. It's pretty and it will die back when it gets cold (not sure what your Winters are like in CA but they can be brutal here in NY). That way you get the privacy of a vine plant that can be easily removed but won't take up a lot of space. And the fishing line won't be visible to anyone but you.

Thanks! Wow. What a great plant zone map. I will look at vines.

You certainly have a dilemma. I get the not moving the trees, have had several back surgeries myself. I like Kmoriarity2's suggestion if you can somehow add cup hooks or eyebolts. Since your HOA is so strict, I would approach them to provide you with adequate privacy or a solution. See what they want to suggest? I have lived in an HOA and understand the rules and regs, and to maintain continuity as well as property value, but . . . there are limits, you are entitled to privacy.

Have some porcelian tile installed on the patio. Water will not hurt it or stain it. And buy a water hose that is a hand full and lets out to as long as you need like “as seen on tv” and hook it to your kitchen sink and drag to your patio, then you would not have to lift the heavy plants. Or put your plant In a pot on wheels and roll it in.

What about a tri-fold privacy screen that you can fold up and set against a wall or bring it inside when you're not out on the patio? Something like this

Is there a way to attach vertical rows of fishline? If so, use plants that climb to fill in the open space as the vines grow.

see if they will allow window film. Art Scapes...amazing stuff for light in...snoopers out.

The Ficus are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Having lived with Condo rules but loving plants, I opted for the earlier suggestion of a hose attached to kitchen faucet and a spray bottle for the in-between dust removal on leaves & pest control. Yes, it IS a pain, but so worth the LIVING, green privacy screen.

Also, to slow down the growth, u can lay the pot on it’s side, slide the plant out and cut it’s main tap root.

Again, a pain, but it does slow the growth.

Ficus roots naturally intertwine in nature...it won’t hurt the plant.

Have you considered frosting the windows or getting something from Home Depot. They have different designs that mimic stained glass and are rolls of semi transparent material that just applies to the window itself. What about a curtain? Or semi transparent sheers?

Frost the glass door. Bring water to plants, not the other way around

Hi

That is a cute screen,but I don't think it would work... Whatever have has to blend in. Since all my windows face huge trees, my ficus seemed to blend in. I'll keep thinking on a plan. Fake trees seem to be the easiest. I had 2 fake, feet ficus from Michael's. They looked okay... and fake :(

Ikea sells deck tiles, called "Runnen." It looks like parquet flooring, can be put down and taken up easily. Home Depot also has a variety of deck tiles for sale.

I saw two types at Ikea. One looks or is actual bamboo. I will check Home Depo. Thanks !

What about bamboo beaded curtains? Hang them inside across your sliders. They look exactly the same on both sides. You can see out but have more privacy and at night you see the design on them. This is what I did before and after pics.

So the issue is that the plants need to be sprayed down to prevent dust & bugs? What about hooking a garden hose to your faucet or shower (they sell attachments that make this conversion possible) then getting a wand hose attachment? Sounds like you really do love the live trees & would like to find a way to make them work.