Summer Heat

[ETXfigs]

As it is getting hotter here in Texas, I am noticing the effect heat is having on my potted fig trees and rooted cuttings. The rooted cuttings I keep in a wheel barrel and move them into the shade after they have been in the sun for a couple hours. My fig trees need more water and often I don't think that they need the moisture but the water cools the roots and relieves the stress caused by the heat. Some varieties seem to handle the heat better than others. VdB and Beer's Black will wilt in the heat and the soil is plenty moist enough but i think the heat effects that variety more than others. They are in black plastic nursery pots and I am going to paint the pots white or a color not as dark as black. I don't know if any of you do this. I would be interested to know how much painting the pots helps, or any other suggestions. My yard doesn't get morning sun so I have to use the afternoon sun light. It's been getting into the low 90's and upper 80's. I think it will be beneficial to do something now before the temperature hits 100F.

 

[ktrain]

You can wrap some foil around the pots if you don't want to paint.
I do that for some, I use the foil bubble foil.
But you can just use heavy foil.

 

[superdave336]

Good tip. I like the black for winter for the added heat.

 

[ETXfigs]

That's a good idea because I can remove it (foil bubble wrap) in the winter. Thanks.

 

[Uncle Jessup]

The State of NC has put out an official warning to its residents to prepare for a hotter than normal summer. Yay. At least the figs will Fig

 

[superdave336]

The State of NC has put out an official warning to its residents to prepare for a hotter than normal summer. Yay. At least the figs will Fig

Yuck, it’s to hot here already..lol.

 

[ETXfigs]

So both the VbD and Beer's Black were wilting in the heat. I painted the VbD pot white and did not paint the BB pot. This afternoon it's 94F and here is a pic. The BB is wilted and the VdB not so much. BB in the pot closest to the camera and VbD in the white pot. This has obviously helped a great deal. I'm going to paint more of them. I already have paint on hand.

 

[ktrain]

The heat definitely stunts the growth here, so my transition to white pots is on going.
Some will have to be painted.
I think it helps though, quite a bit.
I will have to finish the transition from round black to square white this fall.
Don't want to mess with the trees during fruiting.

 

[ETXfigs]

I wonder what is cheaper, white paint or foil bubble wrap.

 

[bushdoctor82]

Would standard Mylar sheets work? You can get them ~$1.50 each and could probably wrap 6-8 5-gallon sized pots/buckets per sheet.

 

[TorontoJoe]

Get yourself 300-400 more trees... then you pack them super closely together, with your least favourite varieties around the perimeter. Most of them will shade each others pots... leaving only the pawns on the outer rim to take the brunt of the heat....

... or you can paint the pots white or do the mylar etc... that all works too, if you want to do it the easy way

 

[superdave336]

I’ve seen pots covered with white trash bags too. Or possibly just use a shade cloth.

 

[ETXfigs]

I put this link to another thread because I think that placing potted plants in the ground would help in extreme summer heat and if someone is reading this thread for info about potted plants in summer heat, this other thread may provide another option.

Thread 'Sinking pots' https://figfanatic.com/threads/sinking-pots.1962/

 

[GilaMonster]

I only have a handful of potted trees due ti heat in phoenix, the pots heat more than the soil and it's harder for the plant to regulate moisture, water too much, it can steam, boil roots, cause root rot, not enough the soil heats and cooks the roots. I have mine in large pots and half sun, mornings get full sun then shade in the hottest. I water deeply once a week right now. I would do larger pots and get a shade cloth or something to protest from the hottest part of the day.

 

[Figless]

The heat definitely stunts the growth here, so my transition to white pots is on going.
Some will have to be painted.
I think it helps though, quite a bit.
I will have to finish the transition from round black to square white this fall.
Don't want to mess with the trees during fruiting.

@ktrain how much is that transition going to run you? I was quoted $3.60 each for 100 7gal sq that was just for black, but it doesn't get that hot in Berkeley CA in the summer.

 

[ktrain]

@ktrain how much is that transition going to run you? I was quoted $3.60 each for 100 7gal sq that was just for black, but it doesn't get that hot in Berkeley CA in the summer.

I already have a bunch of white pots, the cost would be paint if I just reuse my black ones...which I will.

 

[Figgin' A]

A few additional thoughts that may or may not be helpful, but here they are.

1 - VDB is one of my thirstiest varieties, similar to RDB. Both seem to just guzzle water.
2 - I find larger pots produce better results. In larger pots, the temperatures and soil moisture are more stable and easier to regulate. 15g is the minimum.
3 - Mulching helps a lot. But you already do that.
4 - Drip irrigation.
5 - Water retentive soil mix is good, IMHO. I hear a lot about how you need a well-draining potting mix. That means you'll have to water 3-4 times in TX. Not my cup of tea. I use organic, non-well-draining potting mix, heavy on compost and worm castings. In the 4 years that I've been growing figs, I never had any issues. My pots get pretty heavy when watered and retain good moisture levels for 2-3 days on regular days, that's a fact, but my figs are always green and happy, and never wilt even on hot days, which here means high 80s.