Joshua tree seedlings and direct sunlight
keeari
21 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (16)
lazy_gardens
21 years agokazooie
21 years agoRelated Discussions
Quantity Vs. Quality of Sunlight
Comments (44)First of all, unless you're at really high altitude (I mean like, 10,000 feet or above), forget about UV. It's irrelevant. I don't think that too much light is an issue either. As I said, it's mostly about temperature. If it's hot, and the plant is in full sunlight, the plant will feel hotter! Again, remember, the AIR temperature in full sun is lower than the SURFACE temperature for anything dark, like a leaf, or asphalt. My plants get 100+F air temperature in full sun for four weeks here in Central Texas. How do I know when to shade them? Well, if they droop even when the soil is moist, they're too hot. They're not pumping water fast enough to keep up with the evaporation by the heat. I can't do much about the air temperature, but I can keep the sun off of them if I need to. I'd like them to have as much sunlight as possible (as Seysonn points out), but not if it means they're going to get overheated. I guess that means that the way the plants look is more important than what your light meter says. Actually, I should say that the only time I've ever shaded any plants was when I was planting a fall crop of beans in August. Those seedlings were delicate enough, with shallow enough roots, that they needed some protection. I think I also once put shade over some squash, but they were on their last legs anyway. Cukes might get stressed by the heat. Tomatoes, probably not, unless they are leggy, with very long stems. Peppers LOVE heat and sun. Now, I don't live in a dry desert climate, but I can presume that evaporation rates will be higher there, meaning that plants could get stressed with somewhat lower air temperature. But again, just look at the plants. They'll tell you if they're unhappy. Hope that helps....See MoreCranberry and blueberry seedlings
Comments (2)can you tell at this stage if it is a high or a lowbush?...See MoreAnyone out there have a joshua tree?
Comments (37)I have been reading through the interesting posts on the Joshua tree, especially from the original post of kazooie(kapiti coast, NZ}. I think someone forgot to ask how much rainfall that they get on the New Zealand coast. That would be the first thing whether or not you could even grow it there. It is a true desert plant and survives on very little rainfall/snowfall in one of the driest deserts in the world. No drip systems or anything is needed, but it has to be a climate that is very comparable to the Mojave. We grow them successfully here in southwest Idaho, but we are an extension of the Great Basin Desert, and only at 2,600 feet. We range in rainfall here in our valley from 3 inches to 10 inches in good years, which is not very often. And they can take extremely sun, but humidity is another factor that could be lethal to the plant. These true desert yuccas tend not to survive in semi to tropical countries unless there is a greenhouse situation. Also, it must have a definite winter resting period, or the plant will not survive long. Doesn't like much of the winters in Phoenix, Palm Springs and such. It never quits growing. There are related species from Mexico that do much better and thrive without that winter cold....See MoreLeggy seedlings not yet planted, + sucker question.
Comments (3)"Sounds like she would appreciate you just bringing her some when yours are ready. :-)" Naahh....I mean, I shall, but she wants her own. She's like me, she'll put off one more day if she thinks the perfect solution will present itself tomorrow. What she doesn't want to hear is that by waiting for that perfect sunny spot to increase her yields, she's sabotaged her yields. She knows how to bury horizontally for leggy plants, but those things must be 2' long by now. I've potted up a couple suckers for her. One's a huge one I had planned to leave on the parent, no flowers, but it's got buds. Put it in a 5 gallon bucket w/good potting mix. I hope it makes it. Joyce...See Morelazy_gardens
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