My peppers (My kids!)

huntsman · September 7, 2009

Night time temps are 48F at the mo', with day temps around 68F. I know that it is still a little cool at night to leave the children out, but was wondering if it's fine to take them out during the day, and bring them in after dark?

I have direct sunlight for 30% of the daylight hours at present and 40% dappled sunlight, and figure that some shade will also toughen them up a little...

Actually, is 50F overnight terribly important, or is frost or the lack thereof the real issue? (We won't see frost again - barring a freak drop - before late May)

Cheers!

Marko · September 7, 2009

68F is just fine, but bring them inside after dark untill night temp reach 55F.
The shade will NOT toughen them, they will toughen on sun and wind.

Blueaussi · September 7, 2009

What Marko said.

If the roots of your peppers are allowed to drop below 50F this early in the season, it can stunt their growth. In my experience they just don't do as well when they get too cool as seedlings.

huntsman · September 8, 2009

AH!

Thank you for that. I presumed that cool weather would toughen, but I will bring them in at dusk, then. Thanks!

Omri · October 12, 2009

How are the kids?

huntsman · October 13, 2009

Bok er tov, Omri ~

The kids are growing well, and nearly ready for an update at THP...

Can't wait until I eat my first-born!

Omri · October 13, 2009

What Boker? It's already the afternoon here.

Can't wait for that update.

September 7, 2009	#1
huntsman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa - GrowZone 9 Posts: 595	My peppers (My kids!) Night time temps are 48F at the mo', with day temps around 68F. I know that it is still a little cool at night to leave the children out, but was wondering if it's fine to take them out during the day, and bring them in after dark? I have direct sunlight for 30% of the daylight hours at present and 40% dappled sunlight, and figure that some shade will also toughen them up a little... Actually, is 50F overnight terribly important, or is frost or the lack thereof the real issue? (We won't see frost again - barring a freak drop - before late May) Cheers!

September 7, 2009	#3
Blueaussi Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Zone 8a Posts: 1,205	What Marko said. If the roots of your peppers are allowed to drop below 50F this early in the season, it can stunt their growth. In my experience they just don't do as well when they get too cool as seedlings. Last edited by Blueaussi; September 8, 2009 at 09:42 AM. Reason: Must. Proofread.

September 7, 2009	#2
Marko Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Slovenia, Europe zone 7b Posts: 300	68F is just fine, but bring them inside after dark untill night temp reach 55F. The shade will NOT toughen them, they will toughen on sun and wind.

September 8, 2009	#4
huntsman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa - GrowZone 9 Posts: 595	AH! Thank you for that. I presumed that cool weather would toughen, but I will bring them in at dusk, then. Thanks!

October 12, 2009	#5
Omri Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Israel Posts: 3	How are the kids?

October 13, 2009	#6
huntsman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa - GrowZone 9 Posts: 595	Bok er tov, Omri ~ The kids are growing well, and nearly ready for an update at THP... Can't wait until I eat my first-born!