Baking in the sun... too much? Sux shelter?

9 years ago

I'm not sure there are benefits to full, all-day sun for any potted plants. I've been wrestling with this for the past few years because the roots just get so hot and then not seeing any benefit in pace of growth, or increased colors or blooms.

At this latitude, there's about 15 hours of brutally hot sun during the longest days, way more than any plant 'needs,' though many can handle it in a natural setting. Eliminating the rays between around 11-3 means there's still about 12 hours of sun during the longest days. As the days get shorter, the angle changes, so rays start to creep more and more under covers.

When pots get so hot, they can bake completely dry, weightless in plastic pots, every day, so then need a drink often, not at all close to replicating natural conditions. This cycle seems to be unnecessarily harsh, think my results could be better without such extreme daily baking and overall extreme of winters in a cold, dark house, then totally baking for 8-9 months.

I've got an idea to build a shelter house thing for plants, like a mini pole barn that's long and skinny, with the long part going north/south. It would let the sun shine in, morning and evening, but block the sun during the middle of the day. Make a platform of cinder blocks, (or material of choice, using these as example since everybody knows what size they are,) probably 2-high, with a 3rd row around the top as a railing, then put a roof over it that's tall enough to lean under without bumping heads on it. Should be about the right height to let in at least 10 hours of sun per day. Then plant creeping Sedums and the like in the holes, sit pots in the middle, where they can't blow over, get deluged by rain, or baked during the hottest part of the day. And - BONUS, that much less grass to mow, right?

What are your thoughts, experiences about baking in too much sun? Sux shelters? Have you built something? Let's see those sux shelters, please!

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Comments (6)

Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
9 years ago
Hello Tiffany,
I think you are onto something. I have seen the most and best growth in cloth covered greenhouses. Seems too much of anything is no good. Most plants love warm roots, cool temps and bright light, not full total sun. Thought about this for some time to increase my growing months. Maybe from 4 months to 8. Let go for the coldest months of Jan, Feb, and March. Just too expensive to keep all year. My dreams are high but my body is low.
Stush
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author
9 years ago
Stush, I must quote you, I feel the same way " My dreams are high but my body is low." Well said, thank you!

When tomato plants get mid-day shade here, they are so much more lush. Ones in full sun can literally bake away into nothing. I'd like for the roof of my creation to be that translucent green plastic they use for the roof of commercial grow houses, but am not going to lay out much, if any cash for this endeavor. I'd rather save to re-arrange the kitchen to finagle a way to have a dishwasher, and we have a porch and patio to install this summer.

In your situation of wanting more heat on the wings of the regular growing season, (which one could also use here, the zone is always greener...!) what about incorporating black containers you can fill with water to heat in the sun? One side black, one side white, rotated seasonally?

Hmm, thought there would be more input/reaction about the "too much sun" thing. And asking for pics of anything usually gets the pixels flowin'...?

-Tiffany
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Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
9 years ago
Must be the wrong time of year. Maybe there all too busy. I have so many house projects and some all going on at the same time and nothing getting done. And how do you take a picture of your mind's idea? Mostly mine are getting too cloudy.
Old Stush
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author
9 years ago
TY, Stush!! You inspire and help people every day, not as cloudy as you say! I'm still very surprised there are no thoughts about too much baking. Has nobody else ever decided some plants were getting too much sun ("beyond full sun?") -T
pirate_girl
9 years ago
Maybe you could check into something called 'shade cloth'. I know it's used in Calif by some folks growing C&S outside in the open w/ little or no overhead protection, I believe (can't swear to it tho') it cuts back SOME sun intensity.

Have seen/known of this in LA area (our friend Norma) & others in or near San Diego area.
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
9 years ago
Shade cloth comes in many densities for different purposes and different plants... Look at in at agricultural supplies.