Took my tomatoes outside the last few days and now they look like this. Was it too much direct sunlight?
Title says it all. I've been trying to harden them off since it seemed like it was getting warmer, but now they have these spots
by pandamonkeyy
10 Comments
Setters_Do_It_Better
It looks like it to me, were they in direct light? I typically place in full shade for half a day, then a full day before adding any direct sunlight.
bifkinator
Definitely sun scald. Too much sun too quickly. I accidentally did this to my early tomatoes this year but they’ve fully recovered and are thriving now. So it shouldn’t affect them other than maybe slowing in development slightly.
raiinboweyes
Yup, they need to be hardened off. I start with 30 minutes of direct sun a day, and go up a half hour till I hit 2 hours, then add an hour a day until it gets to the amount they would be getting outside where I want to place them: Even then you can dull get some burn spots, depends on a few factors.
WhyYouNoLikeMeBro
Just curious, did you fertilize these seedlings? Fertilizer burn and sun scald can look very similar although I’m leaning sun scald given you said they went straight to hot sun
forogtten_taco
Thanks for posting this. I have first day of full sun and warm weather with little wind. And just parked my 2 trays in full 100% sun and was planning for 6 hours.
Will be moving them to shade now
Flagdun
yep, possible scald. start outside with dappled shade for an hour or so, then gradually increase exposure time and intensity. A breeze helps strengthen stems…keep an eye out for pests when moved outside.
ok_heat5972
Yes sun scale but it can happen if you grow plants under weak lights they find it hard to adjust to sunlight
CrankyCycle
They’re fine, builds character.
library_cup2145
Whoops. I’ve been taking mine out every day and wonder if I’m doing the same accidentally. It’s stating to yellow a smidge and was wondering why
SmexxyTaco
Wow you already put them out in New York? The frost date hasn’t passed yet. I’m planning on hardening them off first week of May or so. Also, yes those are sun spots. Nothing to worry. Give them partial shade you should be fine. Water twice a day when it’s too hot.
10 Comments
It looks like it to me, were they in direct light? I typically place in full shade for half a day, then a full day before adding any direct sunlight.
Definitely sun scald. Too much sun too quickly. I accidentally did this to my early tomatoes this year but they’ve fully recovered and are thriving now. So it shouldn’t affect them other than maybe slowing in development slightly.
Yup, they need to be hardened off. I start with 30 minutes of direct sun a day, and go up a half hour till I hit 2 hours, then add an hour a day until it gets to the amount they would be getting outside where I want to place them: Even then you can dull get some burn spots, depends on a few factors.
Just curious, did you fertilize these seedlings? Fertilizer burn and sun scald can look very similar although I’m leaning sun scald given you said they went straight to hot sun
Thanks for posting this. I have first day of full sun and warm weather with little wind. And just parked my 2 trays in full 100% sun and was planning for 6 hours.
Will be moving them to shade now
yep, possible scald. start outside with dappled shade for an hour or so, then gradually increase exposure time and intensity. A breeze helps strengthen stems…keep an eye out for pests when moved outside.
Yes sun scale but it can happen if you grow plants under weak lights they find it hard to adjust to sunlight
They’re fine, builds character.
Whoops. I’ve been taking mine out every day and wonder if I’m doing the same accidentally. It’s stating to yellow a smidge and was wondering why
Wow you already put them out in New York? The frost date hasn’t passed yet. I’m planning on hardening them off first week of May or so. Also, yes those are sun spots. Nothing to worry. Give them partial shade you should be fine. Water twice a day when it’s too hot.