Leaving plants with baby sitter

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Posted by Moorlord 5-6 (My Page) on

Wed, May 1, 13 at 21:27

Hey guys, I have to leave this weekend for an unexpected funeral and have to leave my babies under another's supervision. I have been hardening off for 5 days now (got a good full blast of sun today and they did great!) what im wondering is if they stay inside for the next 3 days will this turn the clock back so to speak on my hardening efforts. I dont really want them moved while im gone for fear of some disaster but im planting soon and dont want to start over hardening. Another question as well, my planta were in need of water today and I watered them pretty heavy, they will usually last 2 days or so in between. Would it be harmfull to re-water tomorrow before I leave? I have about 115 plants so its a lot of work to leave to someone who doesnt have any expeiriance with gardening. Any advice on what to do would be appreciated, thanks JM

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RE: Leaving plants with baby sitter

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Posted by dobieone Zone 9 CA (My Page) on
Wed, May 1, 13 at 22:05

I always water the day (morning) I leave on a trip. Drives my husband a little crazy but they're my babies! Can 't help you writhe hardening off part---don't live in that kind of climate. Safe travels.

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Posted by bets z6A ID (My Page) on
Thu, May 2, 13 at 11:19

Moorlord,

I'm sorry to hear you have to leave town for such a sad reason.

Here is a quote from the article linked below:
"I've heard it argued that a lengthy interruption of the hardening-off process (say, by a week of out-of-season snow storms that put the seedlings back under the lights indoors) reverses the plant's adaptations, but by my experience this is not true. Plants change more readily in one direction than the other; once they have laid down thicker cell walls, for example, that's the way those walls will be."

Personally, I have had to interrupt the hardening off process, and I didn't find that it set the plants back. I just took up where I left off.

I hope that helps.

Betsy

Here is a link that might be useful: Bracing Up: Hardening Off Transplants

RE: Leaving plants with baby sitter

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Posted by Moorlord 5-6 (My Page) on
Thu, May 2, 13 at 13:51

Thanks so much betsy, great article btw. Ill play it safe and leave them be.

RE: Leaving plants with baby sitter

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Posted by junktruck kansas city (My Page) on
Thu, May 2, 13 at 15:54

i would leave them inside / heck its sleeting here and there calling for up to 6 inches of snow tonight / whats up with this weather / this time last yr i had waist hi tomato plants /!!!

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