Hardening Off Cannabis Plants
Hardening off is the process of slowly acclimating young cannabis plants or seedlings to a new environment . In other words , hardening off is a method used by gardeners to gradually condition their plants to the comparatively harsh conditions of the outdoors . Please keep in mind “ harsh conditions of the outdoors ” is a relative term . Cannabis plants are supposed to grow and thrive outdoors . However , when a plant has become accustomed to the cozy , consistent conditions of an indoor garden or greenhouse , the conditions of the outdoors are relatively harsh and can literally shock a plant to death . The average last frost date in a gardener ’ s geographical location is a good indicator of when plants can be safely transitioned outdoors with a lower risk of frost . The three biggest factors affecting a plant ’ s transition from an indoor to an outdoor environment are direct sunlight , wind , and temperature . Each of the three factors below can adversely affect cannabis seedlings and / or young plants when transitioning ( hardening off ) from an indoor to an outdoor environment .
Sunlight
Even plants grown under high-intensity discharge lighting will have a hard time transitioning into the power of the sun ’ s rays . Tender seedlings and young cannabis plants grown indoors must be gradually transitioned into sunlight . Start by placing the seedlings or young plants in a shaded area . After a couple of days in the shade , the plants can be incrementally introduced to direct sun . Remember , increasing gradually is the key to success in the hardening off process .
“ A well-balanced , living soil is the best way to provide long-term nutrition to outdoor cannabis plants .”
Each day , a grower should increase the amount of time the seedlings and / or young plants receive direct sunlight . Typically , young cannabis plants should be acclimated to direct sunlight in about a week .
Wind
If there is a strong wind present when a gardener is hardening off his or her cannabis plants , it is a good idea to create some sort of wind block . Even with a wind block , the plants will still be able to acclimate to the ambient humidity and temperature . Cold frames or mini-hoop houses are valuable tools for the hardening off process and can offer additional wind protection for transitioning plants . When introduced gently , the wind outdoors will help build up the overall structural integrity of the newly established cannabis plants .
Temperature ( Cold Nights )
Many gardeners start the hardening off process when the night temperatures are still too cold for seedlings or young cannabis plants . It may be necessary to bring them back inside each night until the nighttime temperature increases or the plants become acclimated to the colder temps . Cold frames , or other temporary structures offering cover , can also be used to protect the seedlings and / or young plants from the cooler overnight temperatures .
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