Today I removed the clear plastic bag that the cucumber seedlings were in. They've gotten pretty big so I thought the bag wasn't needed any more. The humidity yesterday was 5%, probably similar today. They weren't in direct sun at all; this was in the afternoon. After a couple of hours the seedlings had almost collapsed. I watered and sprinkled them, put the bag back on, and they seem to have recovered. Was this situation due only to the low humidity? do I have to acclimate them a few minutes at a time to being out of the bag?
Most likley those seedling lost too much moisture which cause them to wilt, and most likley you will need to acclimate them to that dryer environment just as you will need to acclimate them to the outside later.
The sign of a good gardener is not a green thumb, it is brown knees.
Posts: 2134 | Location: Central Michigan along the Lakeshore | Registered: August 28, 2004
Of course, putting them in a pan of water will help (i.e., bottom watering). OG had an article a couple months back how humidity loving plants can be "tricked" this way.
Bill Griffin
Even Ham Radio operators love organic food. Especially here in SW lower MI.
Posts: 1601 | Location: Edwardsburg, MI Zone 5/6 | Registered: December 08, 2004
Maybe open the bag a little bit for a couple of days, water the seedlings, then open the bag a lot for a couple of days more before you throw them out into the wild? The cold season folks seem to have to harden off seedlings for a week or two. It has been SUPER dry, so my guess is that the soil was a bit thirsty.
My seedlings still have the plastic covers, and I had to water them tonight when I brought them indoors.
~Ever notice how God needed a rest after making Woman?
Posts: 157 | Location: Zone 10 - San Diego | Registered: May 12, 2003
