How to Strengthen Vegetable Plants
Young vegetable plants need to grow strong if they are going to survive when you plant them outdoors in the spring. Stronger plants will be more able to fend off disease and survive the wind and other elements of Mother Nature. Before you plant your seedlings outdoors, you need harden them. Following this process could mean the difference healthy plants and weak ones. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Run your hand, a stick or piece of paper over the top of young plants that you have indoors. Do this a couple of times a day, or aim a slow-turning fan in their direction for a few minutes a day. This will help the plants produce the cytokinins. This class of hormones helps plants grow sturdier, stockier stems.
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Stop feeding and cut back on watering one week before you transplant them into the garden. This will help prepare them for dryer conditions.
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Take the plants outdoors for several hours every day when the weather turns warmer, about two weeks before you want to plant them in the ground. Place them in a shady spot, beneath a big shade tree or in a covered porch. Should heavy rains begin, take the plants back indoors. This will help them become used to being outdoors. It won't be such a shock on their system to suddenly be planted in the garden.
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Water with a mixture of 2 ounces of baking soda and 1 gallon of water in your watering can. This will temporarily stop the plants from growing, but will increase the plants' strength to survive outdoors.
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Tips & Warnings
Water the plants regularly, and don't allow them to wilt. This will encourage the root systems to grow strong.
Feed the plants with a fertilizer that has phosphorous and potassium. This helps promote thick cell walls. Read label directions for correct amount and how frequently you need to apply it.
References
- Photo Credit garden fresh stirfry vegetables image by Brett Mulcahy from Fotolia.com
