When danger of frost is over?

After thorough hardening off. They look very tender.

depends where you are ...

you start to HARDEN IT OFF ... by open the bag for a few days ... then.. remove the bag ... hardening off humidity .... and then harden it off to outdoor light... then harden it off to sunlight levels .... and then harden it off to temps ...

put simply.. you did the easy part ... lol ...

i might pot it up ... and grow it in a pot for this season ... in full bright shade.. to grow a good root mass ... and then plant it in the ground in fall ... just so you can baby it this spring/summer .. while growing those roots ...

too often.. small babes.. can get lost in the yard.. or forgotten ...

ken

Thanks for your advice. About a month ago I started making holes in the bags but then the leaves started shriveling and dying. I took off the dying leaves and put new bags on them and then they bounced back. now I’m nervous to try again but maybe with the warmer air coming I can try again!

thank you!

Do you know for certain they've rooted? Top growth alone doesn't mean they necessarily have.

You can check for roots and it will not hurt the plant. Gently tip the container and slide it out - and don't worry if you knock off some of the soil. Replant and very gently pat the soil to make sure there are no pockets of air. Plants are tough and if you check and then replant they will be just fine. Plant them back at the same level they were growing. If you take the bags off - be sure to lower the lights. It might take them a bit to readjust and make sure they are not by a heater or fan. If you are not comfortable with taking off the bag, then take it off for just a few hours and gradually increase the time till they are free of their plastic hot houses all the time. Changing conditions for all cuttings must be done gradually.

Is it better to plant them now or wait for the fall?

Where are you located? It depends on your zone and if there will be no freezes. A freeze can kill a new plant or at the least zap the buds for this year. You can start to harden them off as long as you bring them in at night.

I’m located Northeast United States so freeze is probably past. Thanks

Your zone would really help. Northeast US could be several different zones. It is important for every gardener to know their zone and basic growing conditions - soil type, and location of sunny and shaded parts of the garden before they plant any flowers, shrubs and/or trees. Gardening without this information is like driving your car without a speedometer, gas gauge and brakes.

Zone 6b

I second the recommendation of potting up and growing it to a larger size before putting it in the ground. I lack the general horticultural background of many on here, but I have started many plants from cuttings and have always waited until they are the size you would likely find at a retail nursery before putting them out.