![]() If there is a strong wind present when a gardener is hardening off his or her plants, it is a good idea to create some sort of wind block for the seedlings. When placed outdoors, the wind and dry air can quickly dry out the medium and/or the seedlings themselves. Many seedlings and young plants get accustomed to a high humidity environment. Typically, seedlings should be acclimated to the direct sunlight in about a week’s time. Depending on the particular plant variety, the grower can usually increase the duration of time in direct sunlight by 1-2 hours per day. Each day a grower can increase the amount of time the seedlings receive direct sunlight. Remember, gradual increases are the key to success in the hardening off process. ![]() After a couple of days in the shade, the seedlings can be introduced to direct sunlight. Start by placing the tender seedlings in a shaded area. Tender seedlings and young plants grown indoors on a window sill or under a grow light must be gradually transitioned into direct sunlight. Even plants grown under high intensity discharge lighting will have a hard time transitioning into the intensity of direct sunlight. Many gardeners do not realize how much more intense the sun is than an artificial light source. ![]() The three biggest factors affecting a plant’s transition from an indoor environment to an outdoor environment are direct sunlight, wind and temperature. The process of hardening off is meant to reduce the shock of transitioning from a sheltered environment to outdoor conditions. It is sometimes hard for novice gardeners to comprehend that direct sunlight, strong winds, and cooler nighttime temperatures are simply too much for many seedlings or small plants to handle. When seedlings are started indoors or in a greenhouse, they become acclimated to an environment that is much less severe than the outdoors. ![]()
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