Probably not. What makes pine bark so suited to the primary fraction of container soils is it's size, much larger than peat, and the fact that it is rich in suberin and lignin, two organic materials that are very difficult for microscopic organisms to break down. Sapwood and bark on twigs, along with pine needles are largely cellulose and break down so quickly that N immobilization and soil collapse are virtually assured. This rapid decomposition is also normally accompanied by a spike in pH at some stage of the composting process, as well as the generation of heat (you've heard of compost piles 'heating up'?), which is something that in most cases container plants can ill afford.

Al

Alright, looks like I'm headed to HD.

If using black plastic containers, would it be worthwhile to paint them, a light brown maybe?

art,

Easier to just wrap a bamboo curtain around your containers - - painting will help, but an external shade will work even better.

Raybo

Raybo,
I love that idea! I will have to get me some. I have several large, cheap tubs that I think look yucky. LOL!

I have also been know to wrap containers with shade cloth.

JoJo

I went ahead and painted the containers an almond color before I realized how inexpensive shade cloth is. We'll see how everything turns out!