2007 Year in Review

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Acclimating Plants Outdoors

Just like humans or animals, plants don't appreciate a shock of any kind, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"Taking a plant from its indoor 'bubble' environment to the elements outside can easily cause shock to the plant," said Matt Kostelnick. "Taking plants outdoors in the spring time is a breath of fresh air for your plants that have been cooped up in the house all winter.

"But before you rush your plants to the outdoors, there are a number of things to keep in mind."

One of the biggest shocks to plants going outdoors is light intensity. The intensity or brightness of light is far greater outdoors than indoors.

"The light intensity from direct sunlight outside can easily be 100 times brighter than indoor lighting conditions," said Kostelnick. "Plants need light for life, but they don't adjust well going from one extreme to another. For example, if you took a tropical plant like Dracaena (corn plant) from the indoors and placed it in bright sunlight outdoors, you would find the leaves badly sunburned within a few hours."

Part of the reason for this is the shock to the plant, he added. The other reason is that the plant does not prefer full sun conditions.

"When taking a plant outdoors, don't place it in direct sunlight. Instead, place it in an area that is well-shaded, like a porch or under a tree," he noted.

Wind is another factor to consider. Indoors, plants are subject to very little if any wind. Outdoors can be much different. Too much wind outside causes the plant to transpire (lose water through the leaves) very quickly. Wind also causes the soil to dry up more quickly.

"Additionally, wind can toss plants around or knock them over easily," he said. "Avoid wind exposure by placing plants in a well-sheltered area that is protected from the wind. Choose a first day outdoors that is not windy. During times of exceptional wind or thunderstorms, bring the plants inside."

Outside temperatures vary much more than those indoors. "Keep in mind that most house plants are native to tropical or sub-tropical regions of the world," he said.

"Temperatures for most houseplants outside should not dip lower than 55 to 60 degrees during the night. Freezing temperatures will kill house plants.

"Acclimating plants to outdoor conditions is a good way to start the adjustment to outdoors. Acclimating can be done by introducing the plant to a few hours outdoors the first day, then gradually increasing the time outside. After a week or two, the plants should be fully acclimated to the outdoors."

During the summer, plants are more actively growing; therefore, they are using more water and nutrients. Plan on watering your plants outdoors more frequently than you would when they are indoors. However, don't waterlog or over-fertilize the plants. Use suggested fertilizer rates on the fertilizer label.

"The principle of acclimating or 'hardening off' seedlings from the indoors to the outdoors is very similar to the steps used in acclimating house plants," Kostelnick said. "Cold frames are commonly used with seedlings in the hardening-off process.

"As seedlings are very delicate, they are very sensitive to shock. When seedlings go from indoors to outdoors, they are leaving their 'protective bubble.' Although the idea of acclimating plants outdoors is to 'toughen them up,' the key is to gradually introduce the seedlings to their new environment, not force them into drastic conditions they aren't used to."

Shock to seedlings--and all other plants--stresses them. Too much stress will lead to plant injury or death. It can also make plants more susceptible to pest problems. "Mild, gradual doses of stress will be enough for the plant to handle, and at the same time, acclimate the plant to its new environment," he said. "Also, keep in mind that tender annuals need to go out later in the spring than hardy annuals.

"Following these steps will help ensure the survival in your plant's journey from indoors to the outdoors."

by  Editor, theCity1.com
March 15, 2007

 

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