cold temps

duajones · January 29, 2010

I normally keep my seedlings inside until about the 4 week mark and then gradually introduce them to the outside elements. This year I have introduced them to the outside much earlier. They have been outside for a week now, no direct sun but filtered sun along with some wind and such. Temps have been cooler outside than they are inside and I am hoping for less leggy plants. Anyway, they are under the lights on a covered patio/deck and tonights temp will drop to around 38. Will they be fine or should I bring them in overnight.

mtbigfish · January 29, 2010

If it drops to near freezing you can lose them - a few weeks ago in OC Calif we got 32 degrees AND LUCKILY LISTENED TO WEATHER THE NIGHT BEFORE and covered them - one of the covers came off in the wind and that plant is dust - then 2 weeks later it was only supposed to get to 40 degrees but when I got up in the am to walk the doggies there was ice on the grass - lost 4 plants - have 5 left all with maters - luckily I haven't started plants at my plots yet and starting seeds anyday

guess it is better to be safe than sorry
Dennis

sfmathews · January 29, 2010

I remember reading on a thread here on TV that if it drops below 40, the plants should be protected/brought in. Unfortunately, I can't remember where that thread is.
But I agree with Dennis, better safe than sorry!

Quote:

Originally Posted by duajones

I normally keep my seedlings inside until about the 4 week mark and then gradually introduce them to the outside elements. This year I have introduced them to the outside much earlier. They have been outside for a week now, no direct sun but filtered sun along with some wind and such. Temps have been cooler outside than they are inside and I am hoping for less leggy plants. Anyway, they are under the lights on a covered patio/deck and tonights temp will drop to around 38. Will they be fine or should I bring them in overnight.

duajones · January 29, 2010

Better safe than sorry. Enough said

duajones · January 30, 2010

Glad I brought them in as it got colder than expected. I put them in an unheated laundry room and the leaves have a purple tinge to them this morning. Going to pot them up tomorrow

mtbigfish · January 30, 2010

hope those leaves don't turn black and croak

Mojo · January 31, 2010

I am potting up to gallon jugs even now, but I'm in no hurry about it. Better a few more days of overcrowding (doesn't seem to hurting; cf. my last photo from my "wee ones" thread) than frost-lost (low tonight officially 38 but might go lower).

Don't worry dj, I don't waste a single seedling, so if yours do bite the big one, I'm going to have plenty in surplus. Mind you, you'll have to drive up here to Houston to get 'em...

duajones · February 1, 2010

My seedlings are just fine, color returned to normal after they warmed up a bit

January 29, 2010	#1
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	cold temps I normally keep my seedlings inside until about the 4 week mark and then gradually introduce them to the outside elements. This year I have introduced them to the outside much earlier. They have been outside for a week now, no direct sun but filtered sun along with some wind and such. Temps have been cooler outside than they are inside and I am hoping for less leggy plants. Anyway, they are under the lights on a covered patio/deck and tonights temp will drop to around 38. Will they be fine or should I bring them in overnight. __________________ Duane Jones

January 29, 2010	#2
mtbigfish Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chillicothe Ohio - left Calif July 2010 Posts: 451	If it drops to near freezing you can lose them - a few weeks ago in OC Calif we got 32 degrees AND LUCKILY LISTENED TO WEATHER THE NIGHT BEFORE and covered them - one of the covers came off in the wind and that plant is dust - then 2 weeks later it was only supposed to get to 40 degrees but when I got up in the am to walk the doggies there was ice on the grass - lost 4 plants - have 5 left all with maters - luckily I haven't started plants at my plots yet and starting seeds anyday guess it is better to be safe than sorry Dennis Last edited by mtbigfish; January 30, 2010 at 06:11 PM.

January 29, 2010	#4
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	Better safe than sorry. Enough said __________________ Duane Jones

January 30, 2010	#5
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	Glad I brought them in as it got colder than expected. I put them in an unheated laundry room and the leaves have a purple tinge to them this morning. Going to pot them up tomorrow __________________ Duane Jones

January 31, 2010	#7
Mojo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 317	I am potting up to gallon jugs even now, but I'm in no hurry about it. Better a few more days of overcrowding (doesn't seem to hurting; cf. my last photo from my "wee ones" thread) than frost-lost (low tonight officially 38 but might go lower). Don't worry dj, I don't waste a single seedling, so if yours do bite the big one, I'm going to have plenty in surplus. Mind you, you'll have to drive up here to Houston to get 'em... __________________ There is no logical response to the question, "Why won't you let me plant more tomatoes?"

February 1, 2010	#8
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	My seedlings are just fine, color returned to normal after they warmed up a bit __________________ Duane Jones