Those little figlets are appearing, but I have had to move my pots into a shady area due to severe heat stress when it got in the 90s a couple weeks ago. I don't think my figs will ripen properly where they are located, but they will get quite angry if I put them back in full sun.

What is your favorite way to shield potted roots from the heat? Realistically, I probably won't paint the pots. Any covers or skirts that have worked particularly well for you guys? Thanks so much!

What about just putting that pot inside a large one? It will shade it some and keep the temp down. That's what I've fine with a one gallon nursery pot.

Could bury or mulch around the pots.

Foil, Mylar, boards.

If you have a wall where they get half a day of sun instead of full sun, it might work better. My potted fig trees in partial sun are doing way better than the ones in full sun.
This year I have been watering more frequently to see if it would make any difference. The size of pot is key. The larger the pot the better the performance. Unfortunately this would mean stressing your back.

Try burying the pots half-way in a hole that is twice as large as the pot. Then fill the rest of the hole with mulch, and mound the mulch up around the pot. Then you will get cooling on the pot, and the roots will grow out into the mulch thus lessening the need for watering. Then at the end of the season a sharp spade will remove the extra roots and the mounded mulch will fill the hole when you lift out the pot. Its the best of both worlds, inground and potted culture.

Or at least that's the way I am doing some of my figs. There are several others on here who do this as well.

Your link is not correct.

I have about a half a house worth of plywood cut into various shapes shading the sides of my pots. I have one big one as the primary sunblock and a second smaller one to help as the sun moves if I don't move the big one quick enough. I also lay a small piece on top of the container to shade the soil slightly and it throws a little shade on the side. My temps have been over 110F most days for the last 2 weeks and my small plants in 2 gallons have looked great in full sun. They are shaded after 3pm. I am starting to fade a little, this is the longest hot streak of weather I have ever seen here. There is about 10 more weeks of nasty heat before we get any nighttime relief. I don't ever remember so many days over 110F so close together. I am replacing the bird bath water 2 or 3 times a day, its kinda sad how much the wildlife suffers in this heat. My yard is a refuge in the afternoon.

Very inexpensive wat to deflect pot heat build up is using an auto windshield sun screen held in place with a bungee cord. I purchased them at a dollar store for only one dollar each. Smaller pots you can completely wrap while large SIPS I wrapped the portion facing the mid day and early afternoon sun. It was suggested to remove the pot from pavers or pull to the sunny side edge would also improve heat protection.

These VIAGRO  bags  work for me to keep the pots cooler in the sun. They come in all sizes and Home Depot and Amazon sell them.     http://www.homedepot.com/p/Viagrow-20-Gal-Plastic-Grow-Bag-10-Pack-V724418-10/203820020