Hardening in hot, arid climates

[Charly]

Each year, I give them too much sun too soon and they don't like it...
But I think it's a good thing to give them real sun as soon as possible (I don't use any artificial light/heat when I start my plants, so they really need real sun).
The difficult part is to know when they are ready to get real sun...

 

[fimbrew]

I bring mine outside in the morning then bring them in before it gets too hot. eventually I try to leave them outside all day but you have to watch them. Once they start wilting I give them water and shade. They won't last long without water. Don't worry about over watering when it is over 90 deg. I bought the shade cloth for patios at the home depot and rig it up on the fence and stakes . At first I shaded with anything I could, lawn chairs, sheets, etc. They all worked but were a lot of work. As lots here have said the first year is a lot of learning. Wait till monsoons to put them in the ground. It will be easier but still have to watch and be ready to mist or shade in the hottest days.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Just a suggestion. I haven't needed to worry about it myself, but the store I go to has white 1020 trays and the thought occurred to me that they might help keep the temperature down.

 

[desert_pioneer]

ta-da (excuse my extremely rudimentary set-up)

Now I've heard that Connecticut shade can grow rather tall. Im just banking on my prediction that any plant won't grow as tall as they would in great soil.