YIKES! Thanks for the link! I bookmarked it!

Here's what it says for me, and this is why I use Al's very water retentive mix for containers, white containers, and a drip system:

Today's Predicted High
110 °F
26 % Humidity
Heat Index: 117
Index Level: Extreme
EXTREME DANGER !!! Practice Modifications Required.

* OSAA Recommendations: Stop all outside activity in practice and/or play, and stop all inside activity if air conditioning is unavailable.

Everyone here has air conditioning, and a pool. What is amazing to us is that the pool temp goes, all by itself to 95 degrees, and it still seems cool! We sometimes sit in the shade on the pool shelf, play games with plastic cards, and alternate dip and dry. The breeze really cools wet skin. I use the hose on the plants now and then too!

There is a product called Cloud Cover Plant Protector. You can spray it on your plants and it helps them not to lose water. And for those of you that care, it IS organic! It also helps protect against winter freezes.

Rock on!
Suzi

You gotta be careful about the heat when applying that particular product. It can harm plants when the temperatures soar above 85. It's suggested more for frost protection than heat. Definitely useful for some indoor plants, too.

I can't find anything on the organic status of this product and am interested in that. I have some clients who would like to know about this.

I have about 10 bottles of that Cloud Cover brand (got it on clearance for .25 each). I haven't used it yet, but was thinking about it also for some heat protection (basically to clog the top stomata) -- I've been gun-shy to try it, it just doesn't seem right. But then again, I have LOTS of leaf burn on my citrus this year since I decided to try to make 'em survive the South exposure sun/heat. Haven't done research yet to see if it'd help with that either.

What do you know Rhizo about using it on Citrus and other fruit trees? Maybe I should do some searching and then start another thread.

I use it on my wilting newewest grapevines, and it works like a charm! Many years ago I had a Sago Palm, and the nursery recommended it because the Palm was dying from the heat. It saved my palm.

It mainly prevents loss of water from the leaves AKA transpiration. Google it. It is organic.

Suzi

hello, this is my first time to this forum, and this is the first post i read on this forum. I am not sure if i am under standing. Does that site about the temp change mean that in the containers of the plants its even hotter? I know this is probably a silly question but i would like to know since all my indoor and outdoor plants are in containers,and does it really matter what color they are? Oh and my containers are plastic. Thank you Lisa

Welcome to the forum; I only joined a few months ago.

I believe that site as developed by the State of Oregon, was intended for its College athletic departments' use for determining athlete, staff and student safety at certain heat/humidities.

Their calculations, assumptions and advise are certainly valid for Gardeners too. It is also valid to some degree for container plants as direct sunshine has on average about 1KW of energy per sq meter, which would be a lot more heat to get rid of, rather than just the ambient temp and humidity index.

shorter answer; yes having plants/containers out of the sun and plants in white containers reduces much temperature stress when things get above ~92F.

see link below and scroll to bottom photo of plant development versus temperature.

Here is a link that might be useful: tomato problem site

Thank you col sprg maters for the reply. I think i understand about The heat index. And for your second answer re:containers, all mine are terra cotta color but plastic. I have 2 outside in the shade that are black. Is it true that these attract more heat? Where did you get your white containers? I have never really seen white before. The reason i am using the 2 black ones is because i cant get any at this time(no money). My son container gardens also,(veggies and fruits). He gave these to me. But the plants i put in them are Fuchsias, they dont like hot roots. Is there anything i can do in the meantime? Can you paint them? It might just be cheeper to wait and buy the pots. But now i am worried about my 2 favorite plants. Thank you so much Lisa

If anyone was campaigning in you area, you can remove the loosers signs as a favor to them;), and wrap them around your containers for shading.

I started off with black containers, but get 5gal white buckets from grocery bakery depts. Then found some 7 gal white containers at end of season closeout at a nursery.

well thanks for the info. There is another blog on painting containers white. So i painted my 2 containers white for the meantime, and left another question on that site. To see if you can paint the containers that i bought at home depot white with any success. But i will check with my bakery. I will save your answers at my clippings. Thank you Lisa

Lisa, We were given some black planters some years ago by a local landscaper. I spray painted them a very light beige for both aesthetics and to reflect hot sun. You need paint formulated for plastics. I haven't had any problems with flaking so far. RustOleum makes spray paint for plastics which works great, but it is expensive. We found some at the local Wal-mart (can't remember the brand) which worked just as well for half the price of RustOleum.

Krylon Fusion paint is specially formulated to hold onto plastic well. I have seen thst paint last for years in the sun, thats whats on those big coroplast signs.

But, if you have some paint already, try scuffing your pot with 100 grit- or rougher sandpaper, then your existing paint just might work.