Is heat a problem in container grows? - Page 2

Ed of Somis · March 30, 2016

great advice right below

. I paint my containers white (with a roller) and use mulch. Those are the keys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PureHarvest

Paint them white or wrap them in white plastic to reflect the light/heat.
Or use grow bags or pots that are white from the beginning.

Goldie321 · April 9, 2016

I live in West Central Florida along the Gulf coast. Have been growing in containers for several years now. My 5 gallon food grade buckets are yellow so color is not a problem. Make sure you water as needed. Once our temps hit 90 every day then I have to water almost daily - unless our rainy season does the job for me. A normal rainy season for us means an afternoon t-storm almost daily. For me tomatoes are at the end of the season by June. If I'm really lucky I might squeeze it into early July but that's it. My peppers and eggplant love the hot weather, but must make sure they have enough water.

Don't use cheap, thin plastic containers though. They tend to conduct that heat - they also are dried out and cracking by the end of the season. I got mine from a restaurant over the winter months so I have a couple of stacks of extras ready when needed. So far they are holding up very well. Most have gone 2 or 3 seasons and only replaced a couple. I did have a few of the ones I told you not to use that came from a donut shop - they were crappy. The pickle buckets (yellow) had to air out a bit lol! But they work great.

Gerardo · April 9, 2016

As suggested, huddle 'em up and they'll shade each other. Exposed ones do suffer a bit.

SueCT · April 9, 2016

I have successfully grown in black fabric pots on a blacktop driveway in 90+ degree heat, although being zone 6, that level of heat was not constant. What I did that might have helped was raise the pots off the hot driveway a couple of inches by putting them on 2 x 6" boards spaced apart so that there were two boards with a space between each board under each pot. I also used Miracle Grow moisture control potting soil in large pots, 10-20 gallons each, so that there was enough water for each plant during those heat waves, and watered every day or every other day if they needed it.

amideutch · April 10, 2016

Here are a few links on a method I devised using Styrofoam Ice Chests. They work like a charm and no worries about root zone temperature getting to high.

Ami

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...oam+Ice+chests

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...oam+Ice+chests

fonseca · April 12, 2016

This is what my 5 gal SIPs look like with the top bucket removed. The reflectix is snugly wrapped, but I can slide it off if needed.

April 10, 2016	#20
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Here are a few links on a method I devised using Styrofoam Ice Chests. They work like a charm and no worries about root zone temperature getting to high. Ami http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...oam+Ice+chests http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...oam+Ice+chests __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

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April 9, 2016	#17
Goldie321 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida USA Posts: 116	I live in West Central Florida along the Gulf coast. Have been growing in containers for several years now. My 5 gallon food grade buckets are yellow so color is not a problem. Make sure you water as needed. Once our temps hit 90 every day then I have to water almost daily - unless our rainy season does the job for me. A normal rainy season for us means an afternoon t-storm almost daily. For me tomatoes are at the end of the season by June. If I'm really lucky I might squeeze it into early July but that's it. My peppers and eggplant love the hot weather, but must make sure they have enough water. Don't use cheap, thin plastic containers though. They tend to conduct that heat - they also are dried out and cracking by the end of the season. I got mine from a restaurant over the winter months so I have a couple of stacks of extras ready when needed. So far they are holding up very well. Most have gone 2 or 3 seasons and only replaced a couple. I did have a few of the ones I told you not to use that came from a donut shop - they were crappy. The pickle buckets (yellow) had to air out a bit lol! But they work great.

April 9, 2016	#18
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,598	As suggested, huddle 'em up and they'll shade each other. Exposed ones do suffer a bit.

April 9, 2016	#19
SueCT Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,460	I have successfully grown in black fabric pots on a blacktop driveway in 90+ degree heat, although being zone 6, that level of heat was not constant. What I did that might have helped was raise the pots off the hot driveway a couple of inches by putting them on 2 x 6" boards spaced apart so that there were two boards with a space between each board under each pot. I also used Miracle Grow moisture control potting soil in large pots, 10-20 gallons each, so that there was enough water for each plant during those heat waves, and watered every day or every other day if they needed it.