The plants may wilt and injured leaves will perish. If some leaves are burned, the plant will be stressed.Įxposure to wind and cool temperatures may cause damage as well. If all the leaves are burned the plant will die. If the seedlings were to be taken directly outdoors and planted into the garden without hardening off, you will risk injury to and possible death of the tender young seedlings.Įxposure to sunlight, without hardening off, will risk scalding and sunburn of the leaves. The reason for this is that all seedlings, even cold hardy annual and perennial seedlings, are tender if they are started and grown under lights indoors. It is very important to harden off seedlings, regardless of the type. hardening off lavender The Importance Of Hardening Off Here is a great article from Nebraska Extension, Institute Of Agriculture and Natural Resources, on the physical changes which occur to the plant during hardening off process. This storage is reduced, and therefore reduces the risk for freezing if exposed to subzero temperatures. There is a change in the water storage within the leaf structure.The leaves become stiffer and more firm to the touch. You can literally see the difference after the plant has been hardened off. Cells in the leaves become thickened, creating a sturdier and more durable leaf.Some of the changes that occur in the plants that are hardened off include: This change creates a stronger more durable plant that is able to endure the outdoor environment more easily. As the plant gradually acclimatizes to changes in temperature, wind, sunlight and rain, it begins to undergo a physical change in it’s structure and metabolism. It ideally should happen gradually so that the plant does not experience stress. Hardening off is a process which occurs in a plant while it is acclimatizing to outdoor elements.
lavender seedlings outside hardening off Hardening Off Definition
Hardening off seedlings how to#
Learn how to harden off seedlings to prepare them for life in the garden. This step is essential for new seedlings grown indoors or in any protected environment, and will help reduce stress to the plant during the transplanting process. Hardening off acclimatizes the tender seedlings slowly to the natural elements in the outdoor environment. Hardening off is an important process for seedlings of all types grown indoors.
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