Newbie question

[Talon1189]

I have about 15 plants that are raised from a seed and are 6 weeks old. The plants are about 6 to 8 inches tall. I have been growing them under lights in this time. I have read a bunch of "hardening off" threads and was hoping to put them in Rays earthtainers within the next 10 days as the weather here in Michigan is mostly or partly sunny with highs in the low to mid 80's with lows not below 52 degrees and no chance of rain for the next 6-7 days Will this be long enough to harden off my plants for container plantings? I am a newbie so be kind......... Thanks.......

[b54red]

It should be plenty of time. If you can put them out very early or even the night before if nights are warm enough and leave in the sun til mid morning then bring into shade and keep them watered the first day or two. If they show no signs of sunburn leave them out longer the next day then move into dappled shade. You need to watch them very closely the first day or two because they can be burned quite easily after only receiving artificial light. If they still show no sunburn they may be ready to stay out for most of the day but if you can move to dappled shade during midday hours putting them back out in full sun around 3 or so it would probably be better. If they still look good leave them out the whole day making sure to water them. If they seem ok after that start cutting back on the water so they will make more roots. I have found that plants that get the rougher hardening off seem to actually do better once they hit the garden even though they may not look as good as one that is pampered more. Make sure to set them out late in the day so they can recover overnight.

[Talon1189]

Originally Posted by b54red

It should be plenty of time. If you can put them out very early or even the night before if nights are warm enough and leave in the sun til mid morning then bring into shade and keep them watered the first day or two. If they show no signs of sunburn leave them out longer the next day then move into dappled shade. You need to watch them very closely the first day or two because they can be burned quite easily after only receiving artificial light. If they still show no sunburn they may be ready to stay out for most of the day but if you can move to dappled shade during midday hours putting them back out in full sun around 3 or so it would probably be better. If they still look good leave them out the whole day making sure to water them. If they seem ok after that start cutting back on the water so they will make more roots. I have found that plants that get the rougher hardening off seem to actually do better once they hit the garden even though they may not look as good as one that is pampered more. Make sure to set them out late in the day so they can recover overnight.

Thanks for your advice. I am unemployed and have time on my hands unfortunately. Does misting the plants say 2 to 3 times a day with water cut down the chances of "sunburn" ? Thanks!

[dustdevil]

The idea is to give them a little more sun each day until they can stay out full time. If you do it gradually, they won't sunburn. Misting will dry very quickly and do very little in the heat.

[Talon1189]

I have took the advice posted here. Today my 12 tomato plants in 3 1/2 inch pots have been outside full time for the 3rd day with mostly sunny skies with highs 82-85 and nights around 60 degrees I see no sunburn and the winds have been 5 mph or less. My plants seem to have almost doubled in size with the natural sun light compared to artificial "aquarium lighting" that they have got over the last 6 weeks from seeds. I am hoping to put them in Rays "earthtainers" on June the 1st All other advice is welcomed >>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Originally Posted by Talon1189

Thanks for your advice. I am unemployed and have time on my hands unfortunately. Does misting the plants say 2 to 3 times a day with water cut down the chances of "sunburn" ? Thanks!

I would think misting might increase the chance of sunburn as the water droplets could magnify the suns rays.

Craig

[Talon1189]

The weather in Michigan has been sunny with temps 80-85 for highs and lows right around 60 at night with low wind conditions. I have been inconsistently watering my 3 1/2 inch potted tomatoes to harden them off. Today it was 4pm and the plants were slightly wilted over because they were so thirsty for water. I watered them and they perked up to normal in about 1/2 hour The plants appear to be very healthy to me. Most of my plants are 8-10 inches tall. Is this a good practice to harden off the plants to be planted in "Rays earthtainers" next week?

[b54red]

One other thing I like to do is pinch off all the lower leaves that would be removed when planting a day or two ahead of planting to allow the pinched areas to heal before they go into the ground. Sounds to me like your plants are about ready.