Lettuce and Caulis suffered transplant shock?

[ItsEssexRob]

Today I took my lettuces ( had to waste lots as far too many germinated) from their trays and put them in a large long container. However they have now wilted ( one or 2 caulies are fine.

I watered them then put them in my car to keep them in a greenhouse like enviroment, before reading that it was actually better to have kept them cool.

Am I likely to have lost them now? They are still floppy.

Thanks

Rob

[solway cropper]

They often wilt when transplanted but don't give up yet. When transplanting in warm weather I always put the plants in the shade for a couple of days till they've got a few new roots established.

[greenishfing]

If I transplant my brassicas outside in warm, particularly sunny, weather they always do their dying swan act for 24 hours or so. Don't let them get too hot and they'll survive.

[Two_Sheds]

Today I took my lettuces ... from their trays and put them in a large long container.

Where were the trays, and where is the container?

[ItsEssexRob]

Trays were on my bathroom window sill, the containers now are in my garden on a table after I left them in my car for about 5 hours thinking greenhouse like heat was best for them

[Two_Sheds]

You really should harden your plants off for 7-10 days before they go outside. They've been grown in a lovely warm perfect environment ~ little wonder they go into shock when they're chucked outdoors for the first time


(mind you, being too hot in a car OR a greenhouse is no good for lettuces, who really do prefer it cool & shady)

[Potstubsdustbins]

I find it easier to start most things off in modules, say two lettuce seed per module. When they come through sacrifice the weakest and grow on the best. You then end up with a plug plant ready for planting out or potting on. Using this method also means that as you harvest one plant you have a replacement ready to hand.

Colin

[ItsEssexRob]

What is hardening off and how is it best to do it?

Thanks

[Potstubsdustbins]

If you have grown your plants in a warm, sheltered enviroment, before you put them out perminantly, put them out during the day and bring them in at night. Try to find a sheltered spot for them during the day. do this for a week to 10 days to get them used to their new enviroment.

Colin

[ItsEssexRob]

Think they will be ok tonight? I covered them with cling film.

[Ananke]

My lettuce always goes into shock when they are transplanted but they do come back again, eventually. I just sow directly into the ground now because of it.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I don't know about where you are but we are forecast 4' tonight, if they have been indoors until today I would fetch them in and put them out again in the morning if you can.

Colin

[ItsEssexRob]

I live in Essex I have covered them in cling film just in case so hopefully its not too cold forecast 2c to 0 here.

[veggiechicken]

I don't think cling film will help much if you're down to freezing Rob. In fact, the only use I have for cling film is wrapping food for the freezer. Can you not cover them with some bubble wrap, or preferably bring them indoors for the night?

[ItsEssexRob]

Cant get them in tonight no room now ive moved them .

Hope they survive.