A rare plant so likely few experienced folks. You might check over on the Bamboo Forum here. I bet some of the folks there could better advise you. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Bamboo Forum

Roberto, It just means we have a significantly shorter growing period for adeniums--they actually tolerate low temperatures if they are eased into it. This last autumn, for instance, I did not bring my adult plants into the shelter until temperatures were going consistently down to about 10C at night and they did alright. However, I did put one in the garage and another one I left out a little longer (it was being treated for mealy bugs) while the rest went into the house. The garage plant was actually crunchy when I checked it in January lol (ice crystals in the trunk) and the other one died slowly when I brought it indoors as temperatures went down to just above freezing at night. For seedlings, I think the best rule of thumb is this: when outdoor temperatures at night go below your lowest indoor temperature, bring them indoors. In my case, that convergence is at around 16C. From what I have learned so far in this forum, I have not seen an upper limit to the temperature that adeniums will tolerate as long as it is watered well. Short growth periods, I am betting, probably also means less opportunity to bloom. But that matters less to me so my plants do not get any sort of bloom-boosting intervention at all. 110F. Yikes. Pagan

Ideally, I like a 6-8" transplant, minimum. 5-6" is usually "good enough", though - if well-grown and healthy. Much smaller than that, and I'm almost tempted to leave it in the pot for a couple more days to get bigger before planting out - tough call. For instance/example, if it was 3/12 and I was ready to start planting, I would start with the largest seedlings first. After all, you don't have to plant them all the same day. So, you might as well go ahead and get the decent sized ones in as soon as possible. Then I might wait a couple or three more days on 3-4" seedlings, etc. Much past the 18th, from what I recall living in the metroplex, it starts to get iffy. Much the same here; it's not too different. And, I think we are in for another spring (hope I'm wrong :-)). One yr I got a late planting start (3/23) and got some decent fruit, but overall production was on the low side. Think that was '04. Getting them outside in general - if you still have seedlings under lights, you should be able to move them outside during the day now to *gradually* harden off and start catching sun. Just be careful at night - put in garage or bring in if cold, etc. The longer you leave plants under lights, the longer it takes to harden them off. Suggestion: start seeds earlier next year. What you've described should -just- work - assuming the seedlings are well-grown from this point on. The smaller ones might be a bit of a stretch. Also, be careful of high wind when they go outside, it can damage your seedlings every bit as badly as just shoving them outside all day in full sun the first few days. Basil - I am not generally in a rush to get it planted out in the garden since it grows like a weed once it warms up. I might put transplants in late March. I haven't even started mine yet, but need to do so soon (procrastinating). But any basil seedlings can go outside during the days now just like the tomato seedlings. Would also need to be gradually exposed/hardened off, too.

Jon Im in 6b and mine have been outside since the end of march. Looking back at the weather for Long Island it looks like you could have brought yours out early to mid May and been just fine. April had a few frosted nights but overall probably just fine for taking yours out during the day. Thats the other thing. if you have warm days during winter, fall or early spring say 60F+ you can get away with taking them out for awhile and then back in for the cold nights. I do this all the time. The sun could still burn them but since the angle is low its not as risky.