Sprouting indoor or outdoor

[injinji]

This is a little OT, but it may be useful.

I make seeds, so I need a goodly number of males to choose from. When the temp is above 80F there is a few more males that at lower temps, so strains that I need extra males in, I use hose water that has been sitting in the sun. Those of you using heat pads, if you are not trying for more males, you may want to keep the temp a little lower.

 

[Buttery Hash]

I'm outdoors from seed drop. The sun does not burn sprouts when they are outside to start with. It's only ones that have had indoor lighting that that is an issue with.

I will concede there are other things to worry about. Including but not limited to: grasshoppers, caterpillars, too much rain, not enough rain, wind storms, friends with young puppies, nosy neighbors, thieves, etc.etc. But soil is cheap and seeds are free, so plant a few extra.

I don't understand why you felt the need to highlight my post, why not just answer the op question. Not everyone has access to free seeds for one. for two depending on the soil you use and how much you need it's not cheap..

 

[mandocat]

This is a little OT, but it may be useful.

I make seeds, so I need a goodly number of males to choose from. When the temp is above 80F there is a few more males that at lower temps, so strains that I need extra males in, I use hose water that has been sitting in the sun. Those of you using heat pads, if you are not trying for more males, you may want to keep the temp a little lower.

This is news I really appreciate! Part of my outdoor growing strategy is to select for well adapted strains and I'm learning how important a good male is!

 

[Funkentelechy]

You can build a cage around them to keep critters out if needed. I have a friend who lost some to mice last year and this year he built a cage around his sprouts out of hardware cloth. Hardware cloth is not cloth in the traditional sense for those who weren't aware, it's a small grid metal fencing. https://www.acehardware.com/departments/hardware/window-and-screen-hardware/screen-cloth

Sprouting outside is nice in that the plants don't have to deal with transitioning between light patterns. This is the first year that I am starting under a light, for the last ten years I have started my seeds in March by a window, no artificial light, and it has worked well for me.

 

[injinji]

I don't understand why you felt the need to highlight my post, why not just answer the op question. Not everyone has access to free seeds for one. for two depending on the soil you use and how much you need it's not cheap..

I had answered the OP's question earlier in the thread. I assumed you had missed it. I assure you there is no umbrage here. I'm not trying to throw shade your way. Just passing on information. I have almost zero experience with lights, but I've been sprouting under the sun for 40 years.

If a person were to go over to the pollen chucker thread and make a few friends, you would be amazed at the amount of seeds or pollen those guys will gift new growers. I have made some great crosses that the genetics came directly from friends made on this site.

I pay less than 600 bucks for one of those really big dumptrucks of used mushroom growing medium. (including my veggie garden, a truck load last 4-5 years. You can buy a pickup truck load for 20 bucks. Just google mushroom compost for sale near me) It makes up a good part of all my soil mixes. I still have to buy peat moss for filler and all the amendments. But I try to get my manure composts for free. It takes a little work, but there are lots of farmers who will give you their manure if you ask.

 

[mandocat]

You can build a cage around them to keep critters out if needed. I have a friend who lost some to mice last year and this year he built a cage around his sprouts out of hardware cloth. Hardware cloth is not cloth in the traditional sense for those who weren't aware, it's a small grid metal fencing. https://www.acehardware.com/departments/hardware/window-and-screen-hardware/screen-cloth

Sprouting outside is nice in that the plants don't have to deal with transitioning between light patterns. This is the first year that I am starting under a light, for the last ten years I have started my seeds in March by a window, no artificial light, and it has worked well for me.

 

[mandocat]

I cage my outdoor plants as well! I also use the hardware cloth to protect against hail.