I think people under estimate how much sunlight big catts can handle. I have some in my screened in patio in baskets, and I know the screening material only shades about 30 percent. That means 70 percent of direct sun in South Florida. That is pretty bright and actually brighter than my vanda shadehouse which had 50 pct shade cloth. I would suggest that you let the plant tell you when it is receiving maximum sunlight that it can process without stress. Look for a light to medium green color on your NEW growth. If you get yellow growths, than it's too bright and need to shade some more. Remember that the more light a plant receives, the stronger it will bloom. Think of the sun as a battery charger. If you increment gradually, you should be able to eventually figure out how much it can take. If you get some red pigmentation, use epsom salts at 1 TBSP per gallon and it will green up quickly from that point on. I try to use it every couple of months.

Bravo ...

The last two days we have gotten lots of rain. It was a welcome relief until I went out to my garden and most of the tomatoes which were almost ripe had splits in the skin. Will these splits heal, or should I pick all of these now? I didn't know too much moisture would cause splits in the skin like this! **** There are three kinds of splitting, concentric and radial which occur at the stem end, and horizontal which occurs elsewhere. I've grown Supersonic and it isn't prone to either radial or concentric splitting in my experience so I'm assuming the splits run up and down or around the fruits. The splits of concentric and radial heal over pretty well but not the ones caused by too much water intake when the tomato skin is at its maximum and can no longer enlarge, which causes the splits. if I were you I'd pick them now and keep them on the counter out of the sun and see how they do. They may heal over or not, but you should get some useful fruits. Carolyn

Is there anyone who can give me a sense of what might be going on and if these plants are salvageable? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!