I purchased a roll of bamboo fence from HD ( $10 ) to wrap my potted figs in black pots - trying to protect from heating up in direct sun.
I kept the the bamboo fence in the package and cut to desired length. Pretty easy....seems to be working great and looks better than wrapping in foil.

Not sure if it will stand the test of summer heat - only time will tell.


Matt

I love the look. Smart move.

Great idea Matt! It certainly dresses up a black pot and I'm sure will keep the pot cooler also.
Tyler

Sweet idea Matt...

I use the auto windshield shades. One dollar at the dollar store. I must admit Matt's is more attractive.

Very cool looking.  They should last a long time.  

I do like that.  Coincidentally, they've got the bamboo fencing on sale at Menards here.  I will be shamelessly copying your idea ;-)

They look a lot better than my putting a smaller pot into a larger empty pot. Trying to find a pot large enough to put the fifteen gallon size pot in gets expensive. Thanks for the idea.

Plus it looks great. Nice idea.

[QUOTE=VeryNew2Figs]I do like that.  Coincidentally, they've got the bamboo fencing on sale at Menards here.  I will be shamelessly copying your idea ;-)[/QUOTE]

Sounds great! Post some pics

Thanks everyone, glad you like the idea.

Hi,
Looks nice !
I would have used 2''/6cm more length over the rim to cover the dirt a bit to keep it in shade and fresh.
In one pot, you could use a second layer of bamboo to be more efficient at hiding and shading the dark container .

[QUOTE=jdsfrance]Hi,
Looks nice !
I would have used 2''/6cm more length over the rim to cover the dirt a bit to keep it in shade and fresh.
In one pot, you could use a second layer of bamboo to be more efficient at hiding and shading the dark container .[/QUOTE]

I agree...

I did a second layer on a few to block more sun. I had an issue on areas were the bamboo is loose falling out. So I'm going to hot glue a small ribbon to the length.

You might put aluminum foil under the bamboo. The foil is highly effective. That would allow one layer of bamboo. Otherwise I'd say you need two layers.

I would like to ask a question about overheat black pots, at spring time, I saw that fig trees roots at bottom holes of pot, now it is much warmer, I can not see any roots, It is indication that black pot overheat and roots reducing?

What is the consensus on soil temperature?  Do we think the trees will do better with cooler root zones?  Last year I used reflective insulation, but I'm not convinced it really effected much of anything.  I have drip emitters on all my trees so I figure the constant influx of cool water probably lowers the temp enough already. 

It does look nice either way and seems like a nice solution, maybe even just for looks.

Yes Rob, the water is much cooler and it has mass so it will also slow down how fast the mix heats up. Golf courses water during the heat to prevent damage to some grasses (there is a term for it but I forget), and lettuce in summer appreciates shallow watering during the hottest time of the day.

[QUOTE=fignutty]You might put aluminum foil under the bamboo. The foil is highly effective. That would allow one layer of bamboo. Otherwise I'd say you need two layers.[/QUOTE]

Great idea!

Very nice addition to the large black nursery pots.  Looks great!

[QUOTE=Rob]What is the consensus on soil temperature?  Do we think the trees will do better with cooler root zones?  Last year I used reflective insulation, but I'm not convinced it really effected much of anything.  I have drip emitters on all my trees so I figure the constant influx of cool water probably lowers the temp enough already. 

It does look nice either way and seems like a nice solution, maybe even just for looks.[/QUOTE]

I tried this same thing.  Made sort of a 'space blanket' for the pots and feel that it did absolutely nothing.

I remember that someone on the forum did a temperature trial some time ago.  Testing the daytime and nighttime temps of pots made from different materials.  I think terra-cotta performed the best.  Don't remember how it turned out but it was a very good thread.

What is happening to your figs that you're trying to protect the pots from the sun?

I was considering white, plastic-ready spray paint for some of my black pots.  I'm using this paint on my 5 gallon 'soy sauce' pails to pretty them up and protect them from UV (they get brittle in one season otherwise).

Wouldn't this exterior painting dramatically lower the temps as well?  I realize that the bamboo looks great, but it seems like a lot of work and expense.


Andrew

[QUOTE=nycfig]Very nice addition to the large black nursery pots.  Looks great!



I tried this same thing.  Made sort of a 'space blanket' for the pots and feel that it did absolutely nothing.

I remember that someone on the forum did a temperature trial some time ago.  Testing the daytime and nighttime temps of pots made from different materials.  I think terra-cotta performed the best.  Don't remember how it turned out but it was a very good thread.

What is happening to your figs that you're trying to protect the pots from the sun?[/QUOTE]

We had a lot of rain recently and the soil was saturated. The pots that I wrapped are in full sun, and were hot to touch. I was trying to lighten the color of the pots in an attempt to cool them a bit. Seems to be working well for me, although I haven't done any temp tests.

[QUOTE=AndyInNYC]I was considering white, plastic-ready spray paint for some of my black pots.  I'm using this paint on my 5 gallon 'soy sauce' pails to pretty them up and protect them from UV (they get brittle in one season otherwise).

Wouldn't this exterior painting dramatically lower the temps as well?  I realize that the bamboo looks great, but it seems like a lot of work and expense.


Andrew

[/QUOTE]

Andrew
I purchased the bamboo fencing at HD for 10 dollars. I wrapped one 30 gallon SIP pot and about four #3 pots all in about 20 minutes time. It wasn't bad.

Matt

Like the look!

Every yr this topic comes up. I would say don't waste your time. It got up to 122 degrees here a couple days ago. Figs had no problem with it in black pots. Keep your soil irrigated and mulch top of pots.

Wow 122'! That's some heat figfinatic! Where are you? Yuma? Stay cool! Jodi

I got burlap sacks from my local nursery for free. Will just cut the burlap into strip the size of the pot and glue or tie it on. Still playing catch up with everything so i will likely get this project done in a couple of weeks.

Love this, It looks like Asia style.