How long to harden off?

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suzimcmullen Kansas City, MO May 09, 2007

I've been putting my seedlings out in the sun every few days. I have a lot so I rotate which ones I put out. I try and do early morning sun or later evening sun. But we didn't have any sun for almost a week with all this rain. Yesterday I tried to put some of my broccoli that's gotten about 5 inches tall outside. It started to wilt almost immediately. It's not really any hotter outside than it is in my grow room. The grow room is made of concrete blocks so it is usually only 5 or 10 degrees hotter or cooler than the outside temps. I have an air conditioner for the room on order since I know it will be really hot soon.

Anyway, how do I get these broccoli plants ready to go outside for good? They did come back real fast when I put them back in under the grow lights.

Suzi

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom May 20, 2007

Hi there, I really think the problem is either the outside air temp is too cold yet, or the actual soil you are planting into is too cold, why not plant just a couple of your plants out and see if they will pick up in a few days, WE have had a heatwave here in Scotland all March into April, THEN, really cold weather came back and wham, I had to run outside and throw a light fleece over my VEG beds, but just that light fleece has made all the difference. Maybe you dont need the grow light on the days you have had them outside as when out, they will be getting daylight, your plants will be growing towards the light and getting leggy, My cabbage and broc were 5 to 6 inches when I planted them out so I just firmed them in a bit more than usual at planting out and a fraction deeper. I dont think you have any other prob other than temp, how to solve that is in the lap of the Gods, hope any day now, you should get a bit better weather, good luck. WeeNel.

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Morsaille Bremerton, WA(Zone 8b) May 23, 2007

I haven't had luck with indoor broccoli starts so I planted my seeds in trays outdoors - no temp transition. I do tomatoes and peppers from seed and harden off for a week or so (I'm doing it right now)

Every day for an hour the first day, increasing time length until they do alright on a campout. Weather has been nice, but my hardening off phase will be about two weeks this year.

Lots of luck with the little ones...

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