Quote:
Originally Posted by Gardeneer
Well, I think that when a container has a lot of exposed (outer) surfaces , per unit of volume , and sitting in direct sun it will get warmer or at least as warm as the air. Now add to that direct sun and black color which will absorb every bit of the heat and will radiate none.
If you paint it shiny white or wrap it with a thick white plastic then it should help.
BTW: I have such a container/situation myself. Now you reminded me to do something. I will pile up lots of pine straw loosely around it.
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The cascading cucumber melon and other plants are keeping mine shaded.
The tomato plants have vegetative shade on them too.
One container the top of the soil is being shaded with the basil.
I have been wanting to do this experiment for years and am now kicking myself for not doing it sooner.
I just went up the street on my motorcycle and everyone else's plants in containers look like the atomic bomb went off.
You simply cannot keep them watered enough here with all of those drain holes.
I have tried and you would have to stand there all day.
Nor do they keep bad leaves cut from the plants and spray.
On the other hand in downtown Bastrop there are some folks are growing one hell of a crop of sweet corn in containers.
I mean the stuff looked fantastic the other day.
But if you look at the place you can tell they are plant people.
I think they must have ten ten gallon containers stuffed with corn all grouped together in the driveway.
Three weeks ago it was maybe 6 feet tall and had nice ears all over them.
