Transfer shock?

[Funkthulhu]

Anybody else have a problem with transfer shock, when you take all your pots outside in the spring?  

Mostly this happens to my non-palms; all the leaves burn up, dry out, and fall off the avocado for example.  But it also happens to my palms a bit.  Mostly sunburning, but also some browning of older fronds.

I realize my overwinter-lighting will never be as strong as the sun on even a cloudy day, but is there anything I can do to prevent the shock to the plants?

If I put them out too early the wind whips them to crap, and if I put them out too late they all fry.  I'm tired of waiting until June or later to see everything grow back in with new healthy leaves.

Suggestions?

[Brad Mondel]

Slowly acclimate them by putting them in partial shade for a few hours each day for about a week and then bringing them back inside every evening followed by a week of full sun for a few hours and back inside during evenings. This allows them to build up strength and resistance against the elements. 

[_Rob_]

I put them under a fixed pergola with bamboo mats cover for 2-3 weeks (no wind and little to no direct sunexposure).

however: Today i noticed sunburn on one of my chaemadorea, where the sun peekd in from side so be carefull!

[sashaeffer]

Depends on the species. Any Pindo or Queen, no issue. I throw them out in full sun and they don't blink. Most others seem to suffer some sort of set back.

[Hammer]

Yep, gradual acclimation over a period of a few weeks is a bether way to avoid cooking your plants.

[Las Palmas Norte]

I tried these methods and still managed to crisp some of my Ravenea rivularis fronds, and it's still early in the season.

[Funkthulhu]

Alas, I am not allowed to build a pergola on my balcony...

[RobustaEnvirons]

I too have been dealing with this with my Dracaena Marginata. I've had this for the last 6 years and its always thrived! Last year I even bundled it up, and packed it away in my large suit case and took it to California with me on the train (3 day trip). When I got there I potted it up, and kept it outside the whole week I was there to soak up the sunshine! I then bundled it back up and packed it away again in my suitcase for the trip home. Haha, its a great plant.  

I keep it in our living room near a Southwest facing bay window during the Fall/Winter, and then in Spring/Summer I keep it in our unheated sun-room. Temps here are now maintaining 55-60F all the time (even at night). I have to rotate it every now and again to keep it growing somewhat vertical. I moved it into our sun-room until Fall a couple days ago. It was pretty vibrant and perky and then the next day I got home from work to find all its leaves drooping. I've since watered it and its been perking back up. I have noticed its leaves have begun to brown on the ends and there's some damage to the middle of some of the leaves. 

I think its the adjustment to all the light and temps that's probably causing it. 

Edited May 9, 2016 by RobustaEnvirons