Container Color ?
 

I can't help but notice that 99% of the containers are black, I was advised many years ago that any plant that gets full sun shouldn't be grown in black because of the sun over heating the roots. So my question is, is there any truth to what I was told or is it different for bananas?

Re: Container Color ?
 

I haven't head of this as being a big problem for plant/nursery containers.


Have you compared a white container vs a black container both with soil in the hot sun by taking the soil temperature??

Re: Container Color ?
 

I must admit it never occurred to me to test the temperature of the soil. I think I've only owned one black pot in 40 something year's of my plant hobby. If l do test,I'll let you know. Thank You for replying to my post 😎

Re: Container Color ?
 

I think if this was an issue nurseries would have long ago stopped using black pots. ...



While a black pot could possibly heat the soil it would also cause the water in the soil to evaporate. The extra humidity is good for bananas. Then the Nursery man would turn on the sprinklers. Also good for bananas.


There could a little merit to the black pot issue. But plants/pots under time sprinklers, for water & cooling, this would be a non or minor issue. ... just my opinion ...

Re: Container Color ?
 

Black Pots Matter.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

Re: Container Color ?
 

In the Spring black pots do matter.. they heat up nice to get things growing.. :^)

Re: Container Color ?
 

We have 1 and 2 gal pots for starters, black, exposed to sun all day. When we transplant these, the roots are identical all the way around (hot side and "cold" side) and go right up against the plastic sides, so this would suggest that the extra heat (and there is a LOT of it) on the sunny side, is not enough to hurt. The plastic is so hot that it is very uncomfortable if not a bit painful to place one's hand on the pot.

Re: Container Color ?
 

Thank you all for your input, now l know container color doesn't matter. Happy growing everyone 🍌😎😃😉

Re: Container Color ?
 

It does matter......very much so.
Black landscape containers conduct and retain solar energy.
An exposed container in the sun will be 30+ degrees hotter than the ambient air temperature.
This leads to excessive moisture loss and root damage over time.
Black landscape mulch, concrete,metal,asphalt are just as conductive for heat and will damage a plant in no time.

There are a few older threads which this is discussed.
Search/container /heat /roots/pot.

Here is a photo which I had used in a thread a few years back.

You can see the distinct line which was exposed to the sun.
Container holding the plant was an 18 gal drip irrigated healthy plant.

Click on the photo to see more pics of roots and soil.:)
.
Heat damage
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

Re: Container Color ?
 

Cin, Thank You so much for your explanation. I looked at a lot of your pictures, WOW is all I can say, very nice collection. When I have more time I will do a search as you posted.

Re: Container Color ?
 

super pictures. Must be something different with our pots (wish I had taken picture of roots, but too late this time around - next time!). Perhaps the fact that we use mostly real soil (25% pro-mix, 75% compost/dirt mix - looks like regular dirt other than for a few white specs) has something to do with it? Or maybe the plants are smaller (though one would think that younger plants would be more "tender"). Will take photos next time around as have 25 or so in pots.

Re: Container Color ?
 

Thanks,

Re: Container Color ?
 

Thanks....Peter....grow that mountain...

Re: Container Color ?
 

Thanks........do you need a plantsmen ...for say 60-90k
Willing to relocate to build the mountain of your dreams.

Dreams....one dumptruck at a time...:woohoonaner:

Re: Container Color ?
 

Mountains? What tempted you (or prompted you) to do some detective work. We do not publicize it (yet). Someday hopefully it will be a gift to the country. Right now kids do not like that idea :-)
And they happen to have more money than I do !!
We have planted 4 nice clumps of basjoo on it this year, so hopefully will do well and make an extra big surprise as people hereabouts are not used to seeing banana trees.

Re: Container Color ?
 

It is all about vision.....keep it up.

Great things are happening.:woohoonaner:

Re: Container Color ?
 

I will actually place a container into another pot to hide the black pot that the plant is in..

Saves a lot of planting hassles.

Re: Container Color ?
 

Cin, l always cashe pot my house plants, I never thought to do that with my outdoor plants 😎 Thanks