crazy heat

[ColleenT]

it has been so hot here the past week or so, and shows no signs of getting cooler. i have been pulling the hose to the turtle enclosure every day and wetting the plants and hopfully the turtles are getting some relief when i spray in there. i am kind of bummed out bc we had to cut a maple tree down that was near the enclosure due to the tree being hollow inside, but it gave a lot of shade to the enclosure. now i have more sun, which i didn't really want and this heat is crazy. If it gets too intense i will have to bring them in the house to cool off a bit.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Several of my plants outside have been cooked to death.
My tortoises have patio umbrellas and a misting system.

 

[ColleenT]

Good Idea. i wonder if i have a patio unmbrella in the shed? we used to, but we got rid of them when we got a steel cover for our deck. Yeah one of the plants looks like it's dead. i have been trying to revive it, but it might be a goner.

 

[cmacusa3]

I use a beach umbrella every day, and now so have one of my shop fans moving air around the enclosure too.

 

[BrianWI]

If you want shade fast, they make fast growing willows that will be 10' in their second year.

 

[AJK Aquaria]

Shade cloth?

 

[Loohan]

I'm not sure about other boxies, but my 3-toeds don't mind floating on water all day. If you can get a large tub in there and a way for them to get in and out...
Or just do as i do and soak them in a covered tank. Just be sure water can't heat up too much, and they always have a bit of available shade.

 

[Millerlite]

I use shade.cloth double layer on hot days. And I have a sprinkler system for the boxies . also water dishes they will soak during hit days. Also put a bunch of plants to add more shade. It can be 95 in my yard but 75 in the enclosure in the shaded area

Kyle

 

[ColleenT]

thankfully we just had an hour long thundershower. and it sure did come down hard. the temps are now decent at least for a little while. I am going to look into something shady for them, but i don't wan't to block the rain, either.

 

[ethan508]

If you want shade fast, they make fast growing willows that will be 10' in their second year.

If you plant a willow, buy a chain saw to go with it, so that you can cut it down in 5 years.

Willow trees can grow fast and provide quick shade but they are weak wooded and messy (loosing branches and leaves in all summer long). Plus their roots get into nearby pipes (sewer, sprinkler, supply line) and clog them. And don't plant them anywhere near cement as the roots are shallow and aggressive. Their place is along the banks of rivers and natural ponds or in open parks and fields.

Replant the maple (or a similar hard wooded shade tree) and use the artificial shade (umbrella, shade clothes, awnings) while you wait for the right tree to grow enough shade for your turtle.

 

[ColleenT]

i don't even know if i am going to replant there. it is basically morning sun they get, it's not all day, but i do think it was nicer when the tree was there.

 

[Eric Phillips]

i don't even know if i am going to replant there. it is basically morning sun they get, it's not all day, but i do think it was nicer when the tree was there.

Just a thought but you could plant a weeping japanese maple tree in your enclosure like a viridis or red dragon. They don't require alot of sun, slow growing (max out at 4-8 feet), root system non evasive. Could be a nice center piece in the enclosure and provide just enough shade on hot days. Just a thought. I will be honest with you, after time the little burrows they create in certain spots will keep them cool if your spraying down the enclosure. I don't think you need to bring them in personally

 

[BrianWI]

Replant the maple (or a similar hard wooded shade tree) and use the artificial shade (umbrella, shade clothes, awnings) while you wait for the right tree to grow enough shade for your turtle.

... and you won't live long enough to see t happen, LOL.

Actually, these willows I am talking about are hybrids used for fence rows and such. Salix matsudana x alba. Pretty durable, but they do have roots that set above ground. They do make a fast growing hybrid elm as well. Here we use some of the fast growing hybrids to plant with slower growing trees. Once the slow tree is bigger, you cut the fast growing one down.

 

[Eric Phillips]

... and you won't live long enough to see t happen, LOL.

Actually, these willows I am talking about are hybrids used for fence rows and such. Salix matsudana x alba. Pretty durable, but they do have roots that set above ground. They do make a fast growing hybrid elm as well. Here we use some of the fast growing hybrids to plant with slower growing trees. Once the slow tree is bigger, you cut the fast growing one down.

Brian is right, you can even use a cistena plum tree. Grows extremely fast, pretty white flowers with edible fruit, but it attracts pests. You may have to use a systemic. But you can cut it back and it will grow back. About a 20 year old tree.

 

[ColleenT]

i don't want any fruit trees, had them at a previous house and all we had were wasps and hornets. I don't think i am even going to plant a tree. That was never the plan.

 

[AJK Aquaria]

I have a Japanese Maple in my enclosure. It was added last and is what you notice first when walking up to the pen. I really like that recommendation.

 

[Gillian M]

I use a beach umbrella every day, and now so have one of my shop fans moving air around the enclosure too.

That would be a good idea.