what are your soil temps?

[sonoranfans]

I looked on line and the AZ soil temps were varying with elevation of course. Mesa, the site closest to me, recorded 100F @ 4" depth(ST1) and 97 degrees at 20" depth(ST2). It might be interesting to see how these temps vary in the different areas.

http://ag.arizona.edu/azmet/data/00sum.htm

[freakypalmguy]

Not sure Tom, but your question and a few other comments I have read recently has me wondering what the soil temperature is in various size black plastic pots in full sun. Above what temp. is detrimental to a roots? I leave some pots out in full sun and am wondering if this is harmfull?

Matt

[sonoranfans]

Not sure Tom, but your question and a few other comments I have read recently has me wondering what the soil temperature is in various size black plastic pots in full sun. Above what temp. is detrimental to a roots? I leave some pots out in full sun and am wondering if this is harmfull?

Matt

I think a black pot in full sun will be hotter, and the detriment may depend on species(butias seem not to like high soil temps). My palms in pots are under 1 layer of shadecloth, but some see some direct sun at an angle for 1-2 hrs. By the way my brahea super silvers you sent me are doing great. I am afraid to put any black potted palm(or any potted palm at all) in full western sun (or even full overhead sun for very long) here, I think they will cook. It will be worse heating the pot at an angle as the surface area for solar heating will ge greater. It also could be that you need to wet down the ones in sun more, to replace lost moisture and cool them off. If you are worried about that, just wrap them in aluminum foil, it should reflect 99% of the solar heat energy from the pot.

Edited July 23, 2009 by sonoranfans

[epicure3]

My soil temp is 71F. The sensor is about 15" down. Fairly good temp for growth, I would think.

[sonoranfans]

My soil temp is 71F. The sensor is about 15" down. Fairly good temp for growth, I would think.

Yes that is a good growing temp, but suprisingly low for mid summer. I suppose its the oceans influence, very interesting. I'll bet inland socal is alot hotter in the soil temps. Everything I have read is that 65F is the magic number at the lower limit. Some species, like bismarckias, like it hot. Im thinking that florida soil temps will be hotter, perhaps in between AZ/CA. AZ soil temps might be too hot for best growth in some species at this time of year. My butias slow down in this heat, but bizzies, syagrus, phoenix, and braheas are fastest right about now(monsoon has hit, and dews are 60F+). Everyone talks of air temps, but it might be that soil temps are more important to many species in regards to fast growth.

I'll tell you that I'd rather be in coastal SD righ now and for most fo the year!

Best regards,

tom

[epicure3]

My soil temp is 71F. The sensor is about 15" down. Fairly good temp for growth, I would think.

Yes that is a good growing temp, but suprisingly low for mid summer. I suppose its the oceans influence, very interesting. I'll bet inland socal is alot hotter in the soil temps. Everything I have read is that 65F is the magic number at the lower limit. Some species, like bismarckias, like it hot. Im thinking that florida soil temps will be hotter, perhaps in between AZ/CA. AZ soil temps might be too hot for best growth in some species at this time of year. My butias slow down in this heat, but bizzies, syagrus, phoenix, and braheas are fastest right about now(monsoon has hit, and dews are 60F+). Everyone talks of air temps, but it might be that soil temps are more important to many species in regards to fast growth.

I'll tell you that I'd rather be in coastal SD righ now and for most fo the year!

Best regards,

tom

Yes, the ocean is the cooling factor. As a matter of fact, the ocean temp almost mirrors the soil temp at my house the entire year (except during Santa Anas which jack up the soil temps pretty dramatically if they last more than a couple of days).