Hi,

Yes you can put them out in the sun in the daytime and back in at night. They should not be left outside if it's below 50-55 or so, or in a cold rain.

As far as the pots, the roots rarely go more than 8-10" deep. You wil need pots at LEAST 14" in diameter (across the top of the pot). I have had a single canna rhizome completely fill a 22" plastic pot in one summer! The pots should be flat bottomed or they may blow over in the wind.

good luck!

Boca Joe

Boca Joe

I respectfully disagree...as soon as there are a few leaves, it is safe to bring them outside even close to freezing temps, but they won't grow as quickly as indoors with warmth. I will agree that steady cold rain for more than a full day might be risky.

I've had mine outside for 2 weeks already, and they've already experienced 33-35F several times without any problems, sunburn is the bigger threat, they should be gradually introduced to sunshine. I have about 30 clumps of various species, they are all doing well.

It would be great to get them out of my house. Since you are in NYC (I'm about an hour North of the GWB) my temps are a few degrees cooler than yours, but I should be OK. Most of the plants have just starte to emerge from the soil. They are about an inch high. Are they alright with the cold temps at this stage?

I think once they get to a stage of active and steady photosynthesis, they can better tolerate cold, wait for at least one full leaf to unfurl...next week some light frosts are forecast so definitely do not expose them to a freeze