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Tomato #867003

Asked May 04, 2024, 11:39 AM EDT

I planted tomato seeds indoors A couple months ago and kept them in A greenhouse in my home. I placed them outside for a few hours during the day this last week on my deck. The second time I did this, the plants leaves turned white and now they’re starting to wilt and appear to be dying. What could’ve caused this? I brought them in before, the temperature were below 60° and they were only outside for a few hours the two times I brought them out and place them on my deck.

Sherburne County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for reaching out to ask2.extension.

My guess is too much too fast.  could be sun or wind.  Greenhouses are the perfect environment.  They should be ok once they are in the ground.

In the future, allow the transplants to languish in the shade for a few days and/or move them outside on a cloudy day, then gradually place them in the sun for a couple of hours each day over the course of one or two weeks. This is called hardening off. Either of these gives the plant time to acclimate to its more radical environs.

If hot, dry winds are an additional issue, try placing a windbreak around the transplants, or relocate to a protected area. With either issue, if the windburn or sun scorch is not severe, the plant will likely recover; remove any afflicted leaves to discourage disease.

You may lose some of them, but most should be ok once they establish in the ground.  Next year try exposing them to cooler air first by opening the doors of the greenhouse first, and then moving them outside into shade  and then into the sun slowly.

Hope things work out,



Deb Kroon Replied May 06, 2024, 12:26 PM EDT

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