Indoor lights or patio for new seedlings

TexasTomat0 · May 10, 2017

I'm starting another batch of seedlings and they've just sprouted, so my question is this - Do I keep babying them inside under the grow light (I've got a pretty good grow light) or do I simply transfer them outside to begin hardening off and repot them. Right now they're about 7 days from seed and about 90% have sprouted.

I'm located in zone 8A and were getting temps anywhere from low 90's to lows of about 60's - the main problem I see would be wind.

Cole_Robbie · May 10, 2017

I'd bounce them back and forth.

dmforcier · May 10, 2017

7 days isn't long, and yes, wind will be a problem - potentially a big problem. I'd keep them indoors most of the time, maybe with short visits outside, and no full sun yet. Do you have a fan on them indoors? You should.

UFXEFU · May 11, 2017

I would start the hardening off process. 2 hours first day, then increase 2 hours each day and leave then outside the fourth day. They need some shielding from strong winds if possible. With those high temps be sure to keep them well hydrated.

imp · May 12, 2017

I even start mine at this time of year on the porch railing. It gets direct sun for about 6 hours as it faces east, then shadier in the afternoon. The wind is my helper, making stems strong, and no hardening off.

May 10, 2017	#1
TexasTomat0 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Central Texas - Zone 8A Posts: 196	Indoor lights or patio for new seedlings I'm starting another batch of seedlings and they've just sprouted, so my question is this - Do I keep babying them inside under the grow light (I've got a pretty good grow light) or do I simply transfer them outside to begin hardening off and repot them. Right now they're about 7 days from seed and about 90% have sprouted. I'm located in zone 8A and were getting temps anywhere from low 90's to lows of about 60's - the main problem I see would be wind.

May 10, 2017	#3
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	7 days isn't long, and yes, wind will be a problem - potentially a big problem. I'd keep them indoors most of the time, maybe with short visits outside, and no full sun yet. Do you have a fan on them indoors? You should. __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

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May 10, 2017	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I'd bounce them back and forth.

May 11, 2017	#4
UFXEFU Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Gloster, Lousiana 71030 Zone 8a Posts: 253	I would start the hardening off process. 2 hours first day, then increase 2 hours each day and leave then outside the fourth day. They need some shielding from strong winds if possible. With those high temps be sure to keep them well hydrated.

May 12, 2017	#5
imp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 4,832	I even start mine at this time of year on the porch railing. It gets direct sun for about 6 hours as it faces east, then shadier in the afternoon. The wind is my helper, making stems strong, and no hardening off.