Reducing root temperatures

16 years ago

During the summer here in North Carolina plants in black nursery containers get too hot. I have checked into white containers, but the cost and longevity do not look good. Since i am stuck with the black pots it looks like, I thought I would look into alternatives to the black weed fabric, or gravel most nurseries use to place pots on, both of which contribute to the heat problem. I was thinking some kind of bark mulch might be a good alternative. I have looked into pot in pot production, but i have poor draining soils so root rot issues would make it too risky.

Any other ideas to improve root temperatures? As I repotted this fall I noticed many containers had improved root growth on the side of the containers not facing the sun, and that were shaded by other containers. Many of these conifers do not want shaded needles, so i do not want to go that route. At some future date I might get a retratable shade sytem to protect plants in the worst of the summer heat in the mid day, but that is still a ways off because of the expense.

I just wanted to see if anybody had any inovative ideas? It would have to be cost effective to be of use to me but any suggestions on the subject might be interesting to hear about. Moving to Oregon is probably a good solution, but that would take all the challenge out of it

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Comments (9)

gardener365
16 years ago
I can't think of anything but shade structure houses. If you want to save a huge buck, check this out below:

Dax

Here is a link that might be useful: Lost Creek Hoop Benders
earthy1
16 years ago
Check out root maker containers. They have in ground root control containers that you plant in the ground. They also have above ground fabric containers that are white as well as a white cover for pots. I think their site is rootmaker.com.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
what about getting some railroad ties ..... filling with good soil ... drainage!!! .. and just sinking the pots .. a temporary holding bed ... or even a foot of wood mulch.. which will nicely break down ... thats how nurseries up here deal with BB and large pots ....

when life gets difficult... because you have introduced too many variables.. fall back to mother earth ... she kinda knows how to do it ....

now .. why do you have all these pots.. and why cant you plant them?????

ken
naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
16 years ago
Um....can you spray paint the existing pots with white paint? Or would that be too ugly or too much work? I've painted various pieces of plastic yard furniture and it held up okay for a few years. Obviously, not an option for those with showplace yards and gardens.
jasoncoco
16 years ago
If you dont have a ton, i would paint em. Wether with spray or brush. I have done that and they do hold up 2-3 years.

Jason
amidheliot
16 years ago
My nursery area/Holding area is done exactly as ken just described. It works great. The only issue I have had was last year the rabbits got in and ate a bunch of plants. Otherwise I haven't lost one yet. It is on the west side of my barn with heavy tree cover to the north, west, and south. It gets nice filtered sun all year round, but very little diresct light.

Good Luck.

Eliot
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
16 years ago
The current issue of Conifer Quarterly mentions using white plastic bags (grocery bags?) around the pots to prevent winter freeze thaw cycles. Never tried it myself, but it may work for summer heat as well. Just make sure they drain.

tj
gardener365
16 years ago
I just read the same article Tom's referring to this morning. It makes sense.

Grocery bags... not going to be heavy enough I don't believe. Good idea though & I understand where you're going with the drainage concept. There's a bag for every size purpose I'm sure, on the net.

Dax
scotjute Z8
16 years ago
I shade pots with some old landscaping erosion fabric I have. Also have used hay or even mulch to cover them. Ken's idea sounds very good. It would also aid in protecting the plant roots in the winter.