Moving plants out from their indoor safe-havens when winter is past (?) is always a little dicey. Edible figs (Ficus carica cvrs.) which began leafing out weeks ago in the basement, just couldn't wait anymore. Low light levels began to etiolate new growth and that will spell trouble later in the season if they don't get more light NOW. So the figs were moved outside (and even those with fruit showing appear to be none the worse for wear). Perhaps their early start under lights will give them the longer season they need to ripen fruit on a more consistent basis.
Japanese maples--the couple that were in non-frost hardy pots--had also leafed out under the lights and were actually flowering. They are probably two weeks ahead of their brethren who passed the winter outdoors in pots. Within a few weeks everyone will be on the same page. Being of the thread-leafed persuation, I was more than a little concerned that moving them out would result in burn or die-back, but a few cloudy, rainy days were heaven sent to ease the transition.
