Hardening Off by Withholding Water

mrwes40 5/6/2012, 7:45 am

Does anyone use this technique for hardening off your seedlings? if so, is it as effective as gradually increasing outdoor exposure?

Thanks,
Bill

**camprn** 5/6/2012, 8:06 am

I believe that less frequent watering is beneficial to preparing and strengthening the seedlings before transplant.

mrwes40 5/6/2012, 8:23 am

camprn wrote:I believe that less frequent watering is beneficial to preparing and strengthening the seedlings before transplant.

Is it an acceptable and effective, sole method of hardening off, or should I incorporate that with moving them outside gradually?

Bill

**camprn** 5/6/2012, 8:32 am

mrwes40 wrote:
camprn wrote:I believe that less frequent watering is beneficial to preparing and strengthening the seedlings before transplant.

Is it an acceptable and effective, sole method of hardening off, or should I incorporate that with moving them outside gradually?

Bill

You will need to make the gradual move to the outdoor conditions. The plants will need time and exposure to the new environment outside. It is so worth the effort! Very Happy

quiltbea 5/6/2012, 9:03 am

I believe its a two-pronged method. You stop watering when you bring your plants outdoors to harden them (bringing them inside the first few nites) for about 10-14 days where they gradually get used to normal sunlight, wind and outdoor conditions.

After a few days, I always have to water the tray in which they sit. I can't deny them their water entirely, but when they are transplanted in the garden, I usually cover my seedlings with cheesecloth against extreme winds and too much sunlight, but only for 2 or 3 days.

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