Log in

View Full Version : How Big Until it Can Take Full Outdoor Sun? -pic-


Howard007
05-15-2013, 03:29 PM
I got this baby basjoo along with a few others 3 weeks ago and they've all been doing well in a south window waiting for the weather to improve to go outside.

Well yesterday was the first really warm day with temps hitting 90+ degrees and full sun. I took a couple of them outside to put in the shade to acclimate outdoors and I didn't realize that one of them got hit with the full midday sun for a few hours and got quite a sunburn before I could move it into the shade.

So how big do these small TC plants have to get before they can safely be planted outside and take the full hot sun of a midwest summer?


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/hhh007/5633cb133cb0__1368636759000_zps2bfa8f12.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/hhh007/media/5633cb133cb0__1368636759000_zps2bfa8f12.jpg.html)

Abnshrek
05-15-2013, 03:39 PM
I planted plenty in direct sun light previously.. new leaves that come out will not burn. :^)

Foreverlad
05-15-2013, 04:29 PM
Howard, I'm proud to be the one to tell you, honestly and with complete sincerity, that size does not matter. :08:

The plant could be the size of a thumb tack or a telephone pole, either way, they'll adapt similarly. From personal experience, I usually let TCs adjust to full sun over 2-4 weeks' time, depending on how late into the warm season it is.

Duckfood
05-15-2013, 06:46 PM
What abnshrek and Foreverlad said... I have plants half that size getting a full days sun right now... It will be fine...

Foreverlad
05-15-2013, 07:15 PM
Howard, I realized there's one thing I should warn you about. These fresh TCs obviously have no corm, and the roots are negligible. Be cautious when watering the plant during the sunlight transition.

I lost the first 2 TCs I purchased because they were getting too much sun (it was late July) and my first instinct was to water them incessantly. The leaves turned a toasty brown and the pseudostem turned a soggy black. It was a disaster.

Experiences may differ based on zone, but be sure you don't overcompensate on the watering to make up for any leaves burning up in the transition. That's why I prefer the slow-and-steady 'transition in thirds' method, going from 50% shade (morning sun only, heavy dappled shade in the afternoon) to 25% (dappled shade) to full sun.

TC sellers like Wellspring Gardens use 50% shadecloth in their greenhouses. That's a pretty good starting point.