This is what "leaf scorch" looks like

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satellitehead

Registered:1257988353
Posts: 3,687

Posted 1306703038	Reply with quote #1

I guess this is probably more for newbies that are rooting for the first time this year, but it may be helpful to others also. The topic of "leaf scorch" has come up a lot - and I have suggested that you should always "harden off" your trees if they are started indoors -- you must gradually introduce them to full sun to prevent burning the leaves. This "hardening off" process is usually done by putting them in filtered sun for a few days (under a tree), then gradually giving them an hour of sun for several days in a row, then for two hours, then three hours, etc. I am going to show you why you should NEVER put indoor plants out into full sun for several hours, even if they have seen "full sun" from a window (many windows filter UV rays, and so do window screens) The attached pictures show what leaf scorch looks like. These are some of my plants rooted a couple of months ago that I took outdoors for the first time. I couldn't get lattice up to shade them in time, and they saw about 4-5 hours of full sun one day (one day, 5 hours, that is all it took). The white "scorched" (burned) areas are circled in red so you can see what happens. Eventually, this part of the leaf will dry out and fall apart, and the leaf will probably curl up, crinkle and fall off. I will try to remember to take pictures later to follow up. Inline image Inline image Inline image Attached Images scorch_(1).JPG (319.72 KB, 201 views) scorch_(2).JPG (272.54 KB, 197 views) scorch_(3).JPG (175.26 KB, 194 views) scorch_(4).JPG (285.84 KB, 196 views) __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

pitangadiego

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Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1306712391	Reply with quote #2

In severe cases, and for some types of plants, the leaves will turn completely white, and fall off. Think of the difference if you are standing in full sunlight, versus standing in bright sunlight, but in the shade. Same thing goes for plants. They don't use sunscreen - they have to get used to the light a little at a time. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

tmc2009

Registered:1305513080
Posts: 854

Posted 1306714268	Reply with quote #3

I really burned my leaves last year. Figs seem to have a strict growth cycle. If you lose leaves they don't seem to be able to just quickly put out new growth. I have absolutely no partial shade. I either get the full morning sun or the full afternoon sun. The only thing I can do is keep the plants on the Northwest side of the house so they get the weaker late afternoon sun. I have to build something for when I need to transition plants. I want to take the two I have in the windows outside. Attached Images DSCN2607.JPG (732.36 KB, 33 views) DSCN2608.JPG (751.87 KB, 20 views) __________________ Tom Massachusetts Zone 6b

pitangadiego

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Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1306732294	Reply with quote #4

There are some nifty inventions out there, including shade cloth. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

satellitehead

Registered:1257988353
Posts: 3,687

Posted 1306763373	Reply with quote #5

Just make sure you support properly and watch closely for puddling during your first couple storms ;) __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

eun97

Registered:1250048551
Posts: 74

Posted 1307475796	Reply with quote #6

Thanks for the pictures Jason! Unforunately one of my babies has crispy leaves but good to know it's the sun and not something else crazy!:) __________________ Eun Zone 7b

satellitehead

Registered:1257988353
Posts: 3,687

Posted 1307477372	Reply with quote #7

It happens ... the leaves affected are permanently bleached on the plants you see above, but new growth is starting perfectly fine! __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

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