Moving cuttings outside...

[brettjm]

So I've got a few cuttings which have survived my attempts to kill them all winter, and have 5-7 big, healthy leaves. They've already been potted up to 1/2 gallon pots, and after this weekend's freeze is over, I want to move them outside. I know the deal with hardening them off in shade and whatnot, but what about water? Can I just leave them outside and let the rain do its thing? I know when I air layered a plant last year, I just left it outside and never worried about it...but cuttings are such notorious wienies about water. How careful do I have to be about overwatering?

[ako1974]

They can dry out pretty quickly, especially if they're in direct sun or even if they're in shade and there's a decent breeze/wind. I would just keep a moisture meter on hand and water when they get to the dry zone. In shade, they should retain moisture pretty well. I'm glad you get to move plants outside - I just shoveled one of my garlic beds a bit today to hasten growth again. The snow's almost cleared, but not everywhere.

[Rob Ster 010]

When exposed to the elements they dry out rather quick, especially in 1/2 gallon pots.
Even in 1 gallon pots there's some i have to water every other day, so monitor them closely.

[pppldj]

If you have any outside now, don't forget to pull them in tonight. Hope this is our last hurrah for winter here this year.

[brettjm]

Yup, pulled them in yesterday, along with my blueberries. Open blossoms or not, I can sacrifice 48 hours of no pollination if it means I don't freeze my blueberries!

[pppldj]

Good call. I pulled mine in last night, too. Got a small in ground fig breaking bud. It will get a 5 gallon bucket over it tonight.