Sunbathing plant?

[Labradors2]

It's a cloudy day, but the temp is only 50F. Dare I put the Early Annies outside to get some sun? My two plants are already about 3' tall with small tomatoes on them. They are growing in 3 gallon containers in our LR.

Linda

[KarenO]

Sure in shelter with no wind

[Labradors2]

Thanks Karen. Done! I just didn't want the fruit to fall off if the plants were to shiver

I will obviously bring them in overnight .


Linda

[bower]

I wouldn't leave them out for a whole day at 50 F. We had several days that were just a little above 50, and the plants endure it but I can't say they liked it! At least I think they hated it being followed by a night in the low 40's. All the same it may be refreshing for plants that are living indoors.

[Labradors2]

Temps are dropping so I will get them in. I'm not so sure they loved it Bower. It was a tad windy and *I* didn't think much of it outside either today .

Roll on plant-out date and warmer weather which, around here is the long May weekend if we are lucky, otherwise June 1 which seems so far away.......

Linda

[bower]

Hmmm... 60 F seems to be the magic number for tomatoes. You should get some days in the 15C zone soon I hope!
We usually get snow on the 24th may weekend, no matter how nice it is earlier. It's for the campers who have to go pitch a tent as soon as the parks open...

[Labradors2]

Ha ha! That'll learn 'em!

Linda

[Worth1]

Don't think for a minute that clouds will keep the UV rays from causing sunburn on your plants if they aren't used to sunlight.
At least that is the case in southern latitudes when people go out on the beach and get fried like chickens on overcast days.

Worth

[Labradors2]

Really Worth?

Linda

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Labradors2

Really Worth?

Linda

Yes really, seen it way too many times.
These folks go out on the beach on a cool cloudy over cast day in the spring only to look as red as a beet or maybe even a cooked lobster by the late afternoon.
My wife was a red head and it happened to her whole family in Southern California.
It happened to countless Marines I was with there too.
Up to 80% of UV rays can go through clouds.
Cool weather and clouds do not equate to no sun damage it is a myth.
Heat comes from IR rays which is more prone to be absorbed or reflected by clouds.
So you can be freezing cold and still get sunburned.
Any snow skier and mountain climber will attest to this.

Worth

[Labradors2]

Thanks Worth. That might explain why I carefully put my plants out on cloudy days and my friend doesn't bother to harden off. She says she doesn't have a problem!?!?!? Thank goodness we live in the north where the sun isn't as strong at this time of year .

Linda

[Worth1]

I have a place that limits sunlight by time and it is dappled shade.
That way I dont have to worry too much about sunburn on plants.