First, you must understand where I come from. Most of my Grevillea kin are native to Australia, thriving in sunny, well-drained, and open environments. My root system is fine and susceptible to excess moisture, and I am accustomed to sharp drainage and abundant sunlight. While I adore the summer sun, moving me directly from a protected indoor environment to the harsh outdoors is a tremendous shock to my system. I need a gradual transition, known as "hardening off," to produce new, tougher foliage that can withstand the elements.
The timing of this move is critical for my survival. You must wait until all danger of frost has completely passed and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C). The ideal window is typically in late spring or early summer when the weather is warm but not yet scorching. This gives me a long season to establish myself outdoors. An abrupt move into intense, peak-summer heat will cause severe sunscald on my leaves, leading to bleaching, browning, and a significant setback in my growth, or worse.
My transition should be a patient, multi-stage process over 7 to 14 days. Please do not rush this.
Days 1-3: Place me in a location that receives dappled sunlight or bright shade for most of the day, with perhaps only 1-2 hours of gentle morning sun. This could be on a porch under a roof or under the light shade of a tree. This allows me to begin adjusting to the intensity of outdoor light without being scorched.
Days 4-7: Gradually increase my exposure to direct sunlight. Move me to a spot where I can receive 3-4 hours of morning sun, which is less intense than afternoon sun. Carefully monitor my leaves for any signs of stress, such as wilting or bleaching.
Days 8-14+: If I am tolerating the morning sun well, you can begin to expose me to an additional hour or two of afternoon sun every few days. My ultimate goal is a full sun location (6+ hours), but this final step must be taken slowly. Some dappled afternoon shade is always appreciated in extremely hot climates.
During this entire process, you must be vigilant about my moisture levels. Outdoor conditions, especially wind and sun, will cause me to dry out much faster than indoors. Check my soil daily; the top inch should dry out between waterings, but I should not be allowed to become bone dry. However, the cardinal rule remains: my roots must never sit in soggy soil. Ensure my pot has excellent drainage and that I am eventually planted in a raised bed or mound if going into the ground. Also, protect me from strong winds during the first few weeks, as they can rapidly desiccate my foliage.
