Plants aren’t hardening too well.

[ChelswannabeGT]

Not sure how my plants are ever gonna be outside full time. It seems after one hour of sitting them on my porch with 70 degree weather and some light winds the plants look like they are almost dead. Then I bring them inside and they are fine. Do they need to be bigger to be outside?

 

[Sheal]

With 70F/21C of heat they may be a little too warm as young plants. I would stand them in shade and be sure they don't dry out. Be careful not to make the leaves wet when watering or they may scorch.

 

[Chuck]

On your first picture yes you can put them outside but you should let them get at least one set of true leaves. On your tomato plants do as @Sheal says. Start them in morning sun and gradually put them in full sun. Also take the ties off of them and put a fan on them to strengthen the stem. Any kind of wind at all will lay them down or break them in half once they are outside full time. Also in the first picture you may as well remove the weakest/smallest plant as you can't plant them that close together.

 

[Sheal]

I've not heard of the fan idea before Chuck. I don't think it would make any difference here, we would still have to stake the plants, usually with bamboo canes.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I can't speak on what everyone else does, but an hour seems like a long time to me.

I begin with 15 to 20 minutes of outdoor conditions, and I raise that by 5 to 10 minutes each day, depending on how they're reacting and how the weather conditions are. I continue that for two weeks.

 

[Chuck]

I can't speak on what everyone else does, but an hour seems like a long time to me.

I begin with 15 to 20 minutes of outdoor conditions, and I raise that by 5 to 10 minutes each day, depending on how they're reacting and how the weather conditions are. I continue that for two weeks.

I guess it depends on the weather but I put mine out at first set of true leaves and leave them outside as long as it doesn't freeze or frost.

 

[Chuck]

I've not heard of the fan idea before Chuck. I don't think it would make any difference here, we would still have to stake the plants, usually with bamboo canes.

I have to stake mine too but a strong stem really helps in 50 mph winds. Using an oscillating fan while growing seedlings makes them much stronger. On many determinate tomatoes if you use a fan no staking is necessary.

 

[TomatoTango]

JB’s right. A lot of the time when you harden they can only take 30-45 minutes the first day and then they wilt bad. The second day they may make it to an hour or 90 minutes. The third day they make it like 2-3 hours. Etc...

Each time they wilt and stress you bring them in and check their moisture, then put them back under their grow light. After a week to 10 days your plants will be ready to start throwing punches and having overnight parties.

Also Chuck is right about fans thickening them up. It’s best to start when they’re babies and do it like 2 hours a day or so. If the plants are bigger it also helps avoid problems with better circulation.