Hardening off seed starts?

[Noonin NorCal]

Hey guys and gals, I was wondering if its really that necessary? plants have been in veg under a 600 watt MH. I took them out yesterday morning and got some good morning sun and i just put them on the other side of the house in the shade. Will tonight be ok to transplant them? weather tomorrow is only 79/75/77/79/77 the next 5 day forecast. Plants are 2-4 feet in length. I know seed plants are heartier then clones and less finicky. Just wondering if 1 day is enough?

 

[_tessarecting]

Maybe give them a couple more days with increased sunlight exposure to reduce stress.

 

[corky1968]

Keep them in the shade most of the time.

Each day, expose them to a few hours each day to full sunlight.
After one week of that they should be well acclimatized to sunlight
and the Real World.

Keep an out out for bugs. They like fresh food.

Don't rush it.

Good Luck

 

[gorilla ganja]

I often throw them straight out into the sun. But my spot's rarely get full day sun. I seldom have any issues.
But then again my starts are measured in inches not feet. i would be more worried about bigger plants that you have more time invested in.
If you have extra, try one and then you will know for next year.
If the future forecast calls for some cloud cover It helps a lot.

Best of luck and let us know how it works out for you.

Peace GG

 

[jbarsk8]

I agree with tess and corky, but it really is climate dependent. You should wait a few days for sure, the transition will be much less stressful. Even a few day hangup could possibly translate into a foot+ of growth which is a big deal. Keep them healthy, that is # 1, ease them in as best as you can.

 

[Noonin NorCal]

Thanks guys, i forgot to mention that we don't get all day direct light. I have 2 small growing sections, one is by a fence. It gets great light in the am till 5-6 pm then it tapers off not to complete darkness though , The second plot has more of the late 9am till dark kind of sunlight. Thanks again y'all. From that 5 day forecast the first 4 days says look like scattered cloud/sunny days

 

[Noonin NorCal]

Im probably just overthinking and second guessing my self. I do this every time, If its either harvesting too early or what not etc. etc. etc. My buddy in Redwood Valley was trying to tell me they should be fine, just wait till the sun goes down a bit before i plug them away

 

[Noonin NorCal]

Also i have half of my smart pots filled and ready, i love the consitency of the soil its moist. Im worrying now if i give it 4-5 days before planting, what consistency will it be then? Thanks again guys, I've really learned a shit ton of info from y'all

 

[jbarsk8]

If you give it 4-5 days before popping them in, and your new dirt is getting dry, just water it.

 

[aridbud]

I've noticed a difference from indoor plants going outdoors. Best to have partial sun/shade for a few days to get them acclimated.

Recall a few in shock when we put them out in direct sun all day.

See what works best for you.

 

[Elmer Bud]

G`day NN

Find a tree facing SE , then put the plants behind it .
The plants will get morning and afternoon sun . Avoiding the high UV between 10 and 2 .

Its the UV that the plants need hardening to . 2-3 days morning and afternoon sun , Should see them ready .

Thanks for sharin

EB .

 

[aridbud]

G`day NN

Find a tree facing SE , then put the plants behind it .
The plants will get morning and afternoon sun . Avoiding the high UV between 10 and 2 .

Its the UV that the plants need hardening to . 2-3 days morning and afternoon sun , Should see them ready .

Thanks for sharin

EB .

Yep, sounds like a great plan!

 

[Elmer Bud]

G`day AB

Or if your in the Southern Hemisphere .
Find the N/ E facing tree .

Down Unda we have extreme UV . Unhardened plants fry , if put out in full sun . They do ,come back , though set back by a few weeks .

Thanks for sharin

EB .

 

[quit]

I just cover with shade cloth and take it down after 2-3 weeks. Usually at this point they are staring to grow into the cloth.

 

[Betterhaff]

It's not just exposure to the sun, wind can be factor too. A few days in a somewhat shaded protected area is what I do.

 

[marmarb]

I've been having good success starting in peat pods and as soon as they break the surface I stick them outdoors haven't lost any it's the deer that gets them

 

[tech1234]

I go straight to the sun as long as it is not a crazy hot day (mid-late season)

I have never had an issue (or slowed growth rate) but I do run hardy strains. Everyone has there own "way"

Just remember these plants are way hardier than you think but it is always good to make it as easy as possible for them...

As an experiment, if you have one to spare just test it sometime with some hardy/stable genetics. over/under water, don't harden off, nute burn, stress with wind and huge temps swings ect... She will still pull through!