Seedlings outside

[christian1971]

Once seedlings have emerged, can I set them outside? Temps should be between 60s and 70s. Should they get direct or indirect sunlight? If its sunny, the south side can give them tons of light all day. But I read somewhere, too much sun is not good.

[clkeiper]

I say... yes you can, but you need to babysit them for a few days. on the first day or two you should have them covered with a floating row cover or a sheer curtain... something that cuts the direct sun and wind. After 3 or 4 days out there you can uncover them but still keep a close eye on them that they don't wilt down from dehydration or too much sun, but I don't think you should have too much problem putting them out., I do it all the time. Had a flat of cherry tomatoes that were more or less volunteers, as I don't know for sure what they are, I shoved them out the door, sat them on a pallet on the asphalt in full sun everyday no cover nothing and they look fantastic.
others may have a more gentle approach, but I don't have the time for it. I have too many other plants to take care of to babysit them that closely. all of my tomatoes, at this point, sit in a perpetual state of wilt. I don't want them getting leggy and growing to a foot tall by the end of the week. I spray water over them but I don't water the soil much. I won't start selling them for another two or three weeks and they are already 6" tall.

[cjp1953]

Originally Posted by clkeiper

I say... yes you can, but you need to babysit them for a few days. on the first day or two you should have them covered with a floating row cover or a sheer curtain... something that cuts the direct sun and wind. After 3 or 4 days out there you can uncover them but still keep a close eye on them that they don't wilt down from dehydration or too much sun, but I don't think you should have too much problem putting them out., I do it all the time. Had a flat of cherry tomatoes that were more or less volunteers, as I don't know for sure what they are, I shoved them out the door, sat them on a pallet on the asphalt in full sun everyday no cover nothing and they look fantastic.
others may have a more gentle approach, but I don't have the time for it. I have too many other plants to take care of to babysit them that closely. all of my tomatoes, at this point, sit in a perpetual state of wilt. I don't want them getting leggy and growing to a foot tall by the end of the week. I spray water over them but I don't water the soil much. I won't start selling them for another two or three weeks and they are already 6" tall.

How warm does have to be when you put them out?Do you wait till they get their true leaves?I have mine under the lights and the bulbs are touching some of the plants.Shop light is hung about 2 inches above them.

[clkeiper]

I have some of them out now, but I did cover them tonight. I like it to be at least 50f. I make a "garden 6 pack" for my stand which has tomatoes, peppers, herbs etc in them and I really wanted to keep the peppers warmer than anything., I didn't worry over the other lone flat of cherry toms I had sitting there. I moved my large potted tomatoes inside to keep them from being below 50f.