I do a lot of minis in containers, only because I live in Florida, and we have nematodes etc. I have seen the dirt actually steaming! They might be able to handle a little more shade ? Or, mulch as much as you can. Only advice I can really give you. Sorry it isn't that much help. Also, could you try some shade cloth if you do not have a shaded area ?
Andrew

Janetta,

I have 19 roses in pots here in Las Vegas and as you know, it gets REALLY hot here - doesn't even cool down at night from June through September. What I did was to insulate the pots in sheets of styrofoam-like house insulation that you can buy at HD or Lowe's. It's not expensive, comes in different thicknesses, from 1/2 inch to 1" and in lengths of 4' or 8'. They're very easy to cut if you need to. I used a 2" x 8" sheet that I put in front of 4 pots so the sun wouldn't beat down directly on them. I screwed the 2X8' sheet to a piece of lattice, added some trim and finials, and it really looks nice. (I cut pieces for any sides of the pots that would be in the direct sun as well.) Also, I mulched them with as much shredded bark as the pot would hold to keep the roots near the surface as cool as possible.

They were all 'newbies' this year and came through the summer really well - even managed to grow some. Now that it's cooled down, they're really putting on new growth and blooming like crazy.

I hope this helps you. If you have any questions, just let me know.

Karin

Karin, that sounds like a great idea. Would you happen to have any photos you could share? Thanks....
Judith

Judith I too grow alot of my roses in clay pots they are in the sun most of the day and this year the temps reach 100 deg. several days. My roses came through it fine but I had to water twice daily. THis will let you see my roses.
Harold

http://photobucket.com/kidrose

Judith,

Thanks. It really works well and I think it looks great. I should have some within a week or so, but I'm not sure how to post on the internet (I don't have a digital camera). I can scan them and email them to you, if you'd like.

Just a suggestion... don't use clay pots for container gardening when it stays HOT. You can make it work, but it kind of takes the fun out of growing roses.

Stop and think a minute, we use glazed clay pots to cook food in. It's easier to use a different kind of container to grow plants.

Lyn

I have to agree with Lyn on not using clay pots. I use light sand colored plastic pots and even when the temps climb to the 90s for days on end, I can still get away with watering the big pots only 2x a week.

I also think Karin's idea is good and would also like to see pictures, please :).

Liz

I found some clay looking pots that are made out of a type of DENSE styrofoam. They hold up really well and came in all kinds of colors. I found them in sizes from 8 inches up to 24 inches across the top. I really thought they were clay with paint. Not badly priced either, from $8 to about $24. I have several of them and my new roses, the Bands I ordered, are in them, doing well. REALLY well. We are still having het indexes and actual temps into the 90's, with todays forcasted high of 93 projected to be setting a record for the date.

Karin, even if you scan your photos you can still save them as a .jpg file and upload them into Photobucket.

Here is a link on how to get your photos online. Just scroll down to the last response of the thread and it has the entire step-by-step processes.

how to post photos online

In case you are still having troubles, you can always email me the photos and I'll help you post those photos online. I've done this for my Australian friend Karen at the rose gallery as well. I'd be more than willing to help out! (rosie smiles!) Looks like quite a few people are very interested in your wonderful ideas.