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Grittyville, WA

Is hardening the plants (while still in their pots) helpful or is it folklore? In your experience, is there "best way" to transition the plants to the patch?

"I get noticeably better results when I..."

???

Thanks for sharing!

[Last edit: 02/28/25 7:47:51 PM]

2/28/2025 7:44:26 PM

Upa Creek, MO

If there were records for growing massive plants fast, I'd be a contender. A lot of it probably has to do with on\off early heat we get (73 today, 40s next week). I say folklore where I am at. I focus on keeping them short and stocky, so they have a strong base when I get them in the ground. No matter what latitude you are at, the plants will have to adjust to a brief transplant shock.

Bonfire, beer and staring at them helps too.

2/28/2025 9:59:55 PM

Syracuse, NY

Since mine are under fluorescent 40-watters for about 10-14 days minimum (Wishing for MAX), here is my preferred method that they can just immediately be placed in the patch by using; If you see a plant unprotected in my Diary, it was only for long enough to take a picture of it:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=337788
**Once the plant has been acclimated for a week and/or simply has outgrown Clothesbasket Med, it is good to go, hopefully into an 8' x 8' Floating Row Cover Greenhouse by then; Otherwise, I believed it's the Ultraviolet rays that cause Sun-based (Baste?) exposure damage without still-careful acclimation. Perhaps only unveil during a cloudy day.**
PS---If you sprout ANY seed into direct, natural sunlight, such as in a bathroom window or ANYwhere immediately upon sprouting, it is really good to go, also, butt WILL become leggy - Incentive to get them in the patch sooner. eg

[Last edit: 03/01/25 12:41:52 AM]

3/1/2025 12:28:21 AM

Bethlehem CT

I agree with Luke, I am not sure if it's necessary. Most of us are planting into some sort of coldframe, row cover, high tunnel setting up a wind barrier etc. They don't need to be hardened off. They get hardened off after they are transplanted.

3/1/2025 6:40:07 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Hardening Off is taking the plant from artificial light into the Sun. It should be done on a cloudy day, or shade should be provided to let the plant acclimate to the UV Rays. Nothing worse than seeing a beautiful, robust plant get UV Burn, lose foliage and vine tips

3/1/2025 11:17:47 AM

Grittyville, WA

Maybe if the roots are kept healthy & happy the foliage will simply do the best it can.
@ Engel not much sun or heat in the forcast, but yes I will generally try to pick a mild cloudy day plus my well worn greenhouse plastic provides plenty of shade/opacity, its hardly clear plastic anymore.

Thanks for your thoughts.

3/3/2025 4:29:57 PM