Hello Everyone,

Been growing these figs from cuttings indoors since September.  This is my first season doing this and would like to put them outside, but don't know if it's too soon.  I don't want to shock them. 

I'm here in NJ where the temps this week range from day 69 to night 45.  I've heard they need to be "hardened"...don't know what that means, see pics below.

        

Too early...........

You can start putting them outside as long as they are in the shade ....start with an hour a day and see how they do and slowly increase the time .....just don't put them in direct sunlight . Lol

I think it is still to early for rooted cuttings. I imagine if the temp drops into the low 40s with wind, they may not fare so well. Start putting them outside in the shade during the warmer part of the day and see how they do and to get them adjusted to the sun. Then first week of May you should be good to go.

Your trees look really good. Nice job so far.
I have had mine in a south facing window for a month or so. I moved them outside about 10 days ago. Its been very cloudy and rainy with only 1 or 2 days of intense sunshine all day and they have done fine. One day of full sun I did bring them inside for a few hours in the early afternoon.
We did have 1 or 2 cold nights and I did bring them in then. Below 45 or so and I bring em inside. Those of you with dozens of trees, I dont know how you do the shuffle. I only have a few so it isnt bad.

I am hardening off my young plants now and doing the shuffle here in NJ. I feel it is ok to start hardening them off now here in NJ. Put them outside during the day in the shade and bring them inside at night for the next couple of weeks. After that start to introduce them into the sun for a couple of hours and see how they do. As time goes on and the weather remains warmer overnight leave them outside. After all threats of frosty weather are gone (May 15th is the frost date here in NJ) place them in the sun for longer periods of time. Dont rush this process, your plants look beautiful. Little by little is the way to go. Tell us what you are growing there

Thanks everyone.     Question:  Why the concern with putting them in the sun outside?   I have them in a south facing window now so they get plenty of sun during the day.  Is it that they are more susceptible to the sun's rays outside?

I'll do the baby steps and put them outside only when warm out and take in at night.

@Coop951 - I wish I knew what I was growing!  My grandfather had a fig tree and has since passed, but I took some clippings from it and started this project.  I was hoping someone here could identify the type of fig tree.   Unfortunately no figs yet so might make it harder to tell.

 

Once you get some figs we might be able to narrow down the possibilities. They look great so use your good sense with them. That's what I rely on. If you feel they could handle some sun a little sooner, try it. Just watch how they react. If they are doing well slowly increase the amount of sun they get. I do think that leaving them outside in the sun is slightly more intense then at your window inside

Glass blocks UV light. Nice plants.

Your plants look great. I start taking my trees out the first week in May. I gradually work them from a few hours in shade to full sun over about a week or so. They start to stay outside the same time the tomatoes do. Good luck and don't rush anything with those beauties.

I keep my potted figs in a cool dark basement for winter .

A month ago I started putting them out on the porch when temps above 50f


back in at night when it drops ..  in ...out .. in ... some nights there out all night if not to cool . I started pinching the leaves THIS WEEK ..


I let each new branch get 5 or six leaves then I pinch the bud .

AUSTIN

Appreciate everyone's compliments. Seems like May is a good idea to bring them out. Didn't realize windows block some UV, but makes sense.

Hi,
I started by tilting the windows so that the pots get the outside wind blow.
That temperature drop and variation already helps the leaves in getting stronger.
I'm still not at a point where I can leave the windows opened at night time - temps around 5°C and less some times . So May is as well in my schedule .
Next step, is windows tilted night and day, and outside .