Lessening light

meinchoh · Mar 17, 2012

At what point can plants be weaned off of the CFL's and go to 12 hours of sunlight? I'm really wanting to pot them all up and be done with it.

spongey600 · Mar 17, 2012

well its called hardening off, and there are many variables that come into play, but you can start really at any time you want you just need to introduce the sun to them slowly untill they dont wilt at all when in the sun usually about 2 weeks is the going average

Lando · Mar 17, 2012

it's good to drape some light shade cloth over them to protect them from the sun it also keeps them a little warmer at night
something like this http://swiftsgardeningblog.blogspot.com.es/2010/06/protecting-your-vegetables-and-flowers.html

meinchoh · Mar 17, 2012

I've been hardening them off for about a week now..Up to 3 - 4 hours of sun a day and they're doing great. A little bit of drooping to them but they spring back up quickly. I'll give them another week..Thanks!

nicksmurf111 · Mar 17, 2012

As quickly as you want or have the ability to do. Like spongey600 said, 2 weeks is good. But you might not loose any plants if you don't even do it at all.

meinchoh, are you really in Mentor? Aren't you expecting another hard frost before Memorial Day?

meinchoh · Mar 17, 2012

Yes, I am in Mentor and I have no clue if we are to have another hard frost or not? My plants are going to remain in 3 gallon containers, not in-ground. They'll either stay in the sunroom or go outside during the day and come in at night.

synclinorium · Mar 17, 2012

12 hours of sunlight? Ha... I'm lucky if I can get the plants 6 hours of sun...

meinchoh · Mar 17, 2012

I was being overly optimistic! Best case scenario, you know?

neoguy · Mar 18, 2012

meichoh,

Are you new to the area? I can tell you, we will, more than likely, have more snow and below freezing temps. I usually plant out around Mother's Day around here. This year, I may try to plant some stuff around the beginning of May.

meinchoh · Mar 18, 2012

neoguy, no, I'm not new to the area. I understand how our weather is but I'm NOT planting outside. I said above that my plants will stay in containers, so I'll be able to move them in and out. My question dealt strictly with light, but I believe that they are adequately hardened off by now. They spent over 4 hours in the sun today and did not droop. Thanks to all!

nicksmurf111 · Apr 19, 2012

Sorry, I just assumed when you said "hardening off" that you where planning to plant in the ground soon. I grew up in the Cleveland area.