Influence of Physical Conditions on Summer Temperatures in Nursery Containers1

Abstract

Abstract Media temperatures surpassed 120°F in 1 gal nursery containers of both steel and high density polyethylene without plants when exposed to direct solar radiation. White, silver, and yellow exterior colors significantly reduced media temperatures when compared to darker colored metal containers. Surface barriers of black or clear polyethylene increased media surface temperatures significantly while aluminum foil and pressed white fiberglass disks had no effect on media temperatures in comparison to containers without surface barriers. In a 6 × 6 container to container configuration, those on the southern exposure exhibited significantly higher media temperatures than similar containers on the northern exposures or toward the center of the configuration. None of the artificial media examined significantly reduced temperatures in the containers.