Warm enough for container peppers to stay out all night?

herbivore

16 years ago

Our lows have been around 47-60 lately, can I leave my container peppers (jalapeno and chili) outside all night now?

They are in 12-inch plastic pots.

Thanks!

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Comments (9)

djcorrosive
16 years ago
I personally would not leave them out until the temps warm to at least 55 degrees at night, no lower. While it probably won't kill your plants in 47 degree temperatures, you may run the risk of stunting their growth, which they may or may not recover from. Each individual plant is different, though, and just like people, some are more tollerant of the cold. The question is do you want to risk the health of you plant to find out? I'd wait a little longer.
John__ShowMe__USA
16 years ago
My answer is yes. Not saying that djcorrosive is incorrect, but just that the difference between 55Â° and 47Â° is not great enough to make wheeling back and forth worthwhile.

If you only have a few containers, by all means pamper them and keep in optimal conditions.

A judgment call.

Lazy gardener here
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cmpman1974
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I live in Michigan (zone 6B) and have left my plants out at night at the temps described. They had some problems befoe set-out, but this is unrelated to putting them outside. I've seen no adverse effects growth wise at these temps.

I have them in a mini cold frame portable type greenhouse (i.e., Starterhouse). That may make a little difference compared to pure exposure to the elements. Temps are planned to reach low 40s several nights in the next 10 days. I'll toss some blankets on the structure for further protection.

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ardnek710
16 years ago
If these are established plants then I say yes okay. I usually go for 50 degrees minimum.
A good rule of thumb someone told me about once was to consider any plant in a pot to be 1 zone colder than where you are. Mainly because it's roots are not protected by being fully in the ground, so when it gets cold outside the plants in the pot feel it more than plants in the ground. So if you are in zone 6 than the roots on your potted plants feel like they are in zone 5, make sense???
I don't know if this is valid but I always think about it when deciding to move things in or out.

kendra
donandsara
16 years ago
Great timing. I was about to post a similar question! Forecast low tonite in Cleveland OH is 51F. Peppers & toms have been out 3-4 times already for acclimatizing/"hardening off". Decided to leave 'em ALL out tonite, though it's a bit cool. I figure they need to get used to it sometime. Tomorrow's hi is 61F, low 43F...definitely gonna bring most of the peppers in tomorrow nite!

--Don
herbivore
Original Author
16 years ago
OK thanks everyone! I think I might use 55 degrees as a limit, and Kendra I will remember your guideline of container plants seeming like they are one zone cooler than mine. Thanks all!
naturalstuff
16 years ago
Yes you can leave them out. Even 1 or 2 nights below 50 won't hurt them AS LONG AS it gets back above 65 the next day they'll recover fast.

I've had mine out for 2 weeks now and they're doing fine. But of course it's always BEST to keep them out when above 65 at all times.

Here in CT pepper/pumpkin growing is almost too short. I need a dam greenhouse!
sandysgardens
16 years ago
I'm with john__showme__usa, he advised me earlier that mid 40's was okay. All my pepper plants (5 doz) have been in my little green house for a month now and it gets' down to low 40's at night and can be as warm as 90's during the day. They are growing like crazy and sturdy and strong. I think they are some of the best pepper plants I could ask for.
fiedlermeister
16 years ago
I like to wait until temps are above 50 here in Maine but maybe it matters where you are and how warm the daytime temps are also.

john

Warm enough for container peppers to stay out all night?

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Warm enough for container peppers to stay out all night?

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