When to start hardeneing habaneros

[richoso12]

Growing habaneros is new to me , so excuse the newbie question, When considering taking the small plants outside for hardening with doppled sunlight, does one select the plants by size, or the amount of leaves? I only have three plants( Red Savina, Bondo Ma Jacque and Antilla) and I don't want to lose them to inexperience.
Thanks in advance,
Rich

 

[millworkman]

I just do it based on temperature outside. When the time comes that nighttime temps will not drop below 50F I start putting my plants on the front porch. They only get afternoon sun from 330 or so till sunset and this seems sufficient enough. It doesn't matter the size of leaves or whether or not they just sprouted as long as you give them adequate shelter from the sun AND WIND. Even a slight breeze outside can dry a seedling out in no time. After about 10 days to 2 weeks mine are usually hardened enough to go full time under the sun. Good luck.