When summer finally gets here and it is warm and beautiful, we often get the
itch to move our indoor plants outdoors. Then in the fall, as summer fades and the
nights get cold, we have to bring them all back in for the winter. All this
moving can be confusing to the plant and hard work for you. Here are some
basic tips to make the job easier and insure your plants will adjust.
Do all plants need to go outdoors for the summer? No, nothing has to, but almost all the plants will benefit from a few months of fresh air, frequent showers and higher light. There are only a few, like Christmas cactus and azaleas, that need the ‘Summer to Fall’ cycle to trigger buds for future flowers.
How warm should it be before I move plants out? Most house plants are tropical or sub-tropical and don't want to go out unless the temperatures are consistentlyabove 50º F at night. A few, such as camellias and azaleas, can tolerate cooler temperatures and can be moved out as soon as there is no danger of frost. In our area, this is generally after May 15.
If the days are nice and warm but the nights are still cool, can't I move them out? Not unless you are sure you can slide them back into the porch or garage, somewhere protected if frost threatens. Even temperatures in the low 40ºs with a breeze could "frost" leaves that aren't used to the cool temperatures.
Is there anything I can do to get my plants ready to move out? Water your plants well a few days before moving them out, and put them in your sunniest location indoors. Check to make sure they are in a large enough pot and have room to grow.
Last time I moved out my plants, they got big white patches on the leaves and looked bad. What happened? The white patches are sunscald. If it isn't too severe, the leaves may recover, but most
often those damaged leaves will die. When you first move a plant that is accustomed to low light levels outdoors, place it first in a shady area for a few days, then gradually move it into higher light.
Is that what they call acclimating a plant? Exactly. The process of gradually exposing a plant to different conditions (for instance, temperature or light levels) is called acclimating and it is an important key to successfully moving your plants in or out.
How much sun can my plants take outdoors? That will vary greatly, depending on the variety of plant. Some, such as hibiscus and citrus, want lots of sun. Others prefer what is called “high light” or filtered sun. Check what your specific plant likes. A Bachman's horticulturist will be glad to help you.
How can I keep my plants from tipping over outdoors? This can be extremely frustrating and expensive! The easiest way to avoid this is to tie the plant to a nearby railing, chair or fence with a piece of soft cloth or
old pantyhose. You might also be able to anchor some larger plants by putting bricks on top of the soil. If you have room, dig the pot down into the soil at least halfway and that will help keep it upright.
Can I actually plant my indoor plants outdoors for the summer and dig them back up in the fall? This works great for the summer, but is really hard on the plant when you have to dig it back up in the fall. If possible, plant it “pot and all” instead. That will disturb the roots less when you take it back up in Fall.
My plants all seem to dry out so much more quickly outdoors. What can I do? Since it is warmer, windier and your plants are actively growing, they will need quite a bit more water. For plants that use tremendous amounts of water, like hibiscus, go ahead and keep them in a saucer of water. Check your plants daily for moisture.
Should I be fertilizing regularly when my plants are outdoors? When plants get moved outdoors, their natural response is to grow and they will need lots of food. Feed them every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer such as Bachman's Excel Gro™.
Is there anything I can do to make the transition back indoors easier on me and my plants? A few weeks before you move your plants back in, move them to a shadier area to prepare for the lower light levels indoors. Do any pruning needed. Take this chance to clean the pots and repot the plants if needed. Cut back on water and reduce fertilizing.
How soon should I move my plants indoors in the fall? Most indoor plants are tropical and resent temperatures below 50º. If you leave tropical plants out too long in the fall, the leaves may yellow and drop. If we are just getting an early cold snap, move the plants into the garage for a day or two first. When the weather moderates, you might have several more weeks before you really must bring them in for the year.
Which plants need to stay out longer? Christmas cacti, camellias and azaleas prefer to stay out until the nights are consistently in the low 40ºs. If necessary, bring them in on really cold nights and move them back out when it moderates.
I always worry about bringing in insects in the fall. Can I do anything to avoid this? It is a good idea to start looking for insects and treating any problem several weeks before you plan on bringing your plants in. Starting this early will give you time to spray plants several times to insure they are as clean as possible. Once indoors, continue to watch your plants closely for any signs of insects or disease.
Often the plants I bring back in seem unhappy, with leaves yellowing and dropping. Why? Moving indoors to a place with less light and much lower humidity is hard on your plants and it may take them a few weeks to adjust. Hibiscus and Ficus will often shed a large number of leaves when you move them in, and grow new ones more adapted to the indoor environment. Misting often will help, or you can provide a humidity tray. Watch your watering carefully, since the plants will not use as much water as they did outdoors.
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