starting outdoor grow

apietroski8

apietroski8

Well-Known Member
This is the start of my outdoor grow. All plants have been started indoors by germinating a variety of quality seeds that have been collected over the last year. By putting 10-15 seeds in wet paper towels inside of plastic sandwich bags, I was able to sprout about 30 roots from the seeds. After 4 days of germination the seeds were moved in a seedling starter container. This had 32 compartments and a clear plastic cover. This was set under a 3 foot light ballast with 2 fluorescent lights. Within 7 days the seedlings had grown about 6 inches(some smaller). They were then transplanted into larger containers where they will remain till they are put outside. Some containers have more than one plant, which is understood that one of the plants will die when the other blocks it out. Right now the plants have been in the larger containers for 3 days and seem to have taken without problem. Rotation is necessary to keep plants under direct light for portion of day. Light is never shut off at this point. Let me know of any suggestions or comments you may have. I will be doing another round of seedlings soon. Check out the pictures, an Ethernet cable is used to hold up both ends of the light. Fan is set up to blow air over plants to keep stems stronger for outdoor wind. Light is about 4-6 inches from plants, another light may be set up soon.
 

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apietroski8

apietroski8

Well-Known Member
stoopy said:
Lookin' kinda lanky... What type of bulb do you have in the fixture? Cool whites? Anything with a decent spectrum? Vita Lites or similar? Those pots take up a lot of space, you did well germinating but you've got to maintain the lighting, lets hope you can get them outside soon, here's my first batch...

https://www.rollitup.org/outdoor-growing/177902-germination-acclimation-station-germinator.html
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No idea what kind of lights i have, and I have another light i intend on setting up soon. Was not expecting such a large surface area. Will be rearranging setup soon, but it will be at least 4-6 weeks before they go outside so another light is definitely necessary.
 
stoopy

stoopy

Well-Known Member
I would have used smaller containers, the ones you have now take up a lot of space thus creating more work for you, I use 8oz cups for mine, at 3 weeks there is a perfect root ball and it's perfect for transplanting and the roots don't suffer, plus easy to transport and move around if necessary, go to your local pet store and get some new bulbs for that fixture, don't know if you're strapped for cash or not but two 36"/48" bulbs should cost around 15$ a pop, 30$ Investment, Vitalite, Triton, Growlux, they really make a difference.
 
tyke1973

tyke1973

Well-Known Member
Can't fault it everthing seems to be fine,you are doing the best thing by getting them going indoors first.put the plants out side for a few hours say 2 on a nice warm day then back under the grow lights then put them back out for a few more hours during the same week.this will harden the plants off a little before they meet the outdoors.get the fans in the grow room blowing on the plants gentle air pressure,this will get the stems more hardy to the wind they will recive out doors.i never take my plant to the grow area till they are at least harf a foot a foot is better you will have no problems with the plants if you do let them gain a little height keep the lights has near has possible.think about what you are going to feed i like to use a arther turner pellets slow release so the plants recive feed little and often each feed last for 3 week.i also add a little fish blood and bone mix i take the feeds down to the site ang burry them in a old shoe box along with a ph testing kit and some ph down because i know the river is a little high so it needs lowering.i always try to plant where the river has burst its banks in the winter that is the best feed for any plant silt that has now dryed that is where my plants are. I visit every 3 week to add more of the 2 feeds mentioned above and give them a good drink but they can pull water from the river easy.the strains are [purple haze peacemaker just because i had some clones i had i hate the stuff but ak47 and finaly white rhino 40 plants in total spread between harf a mile of river.
 
apietroski8

apietroski8

Well-Known Member
I have been putting some plants outside when the weather permits. I will look into getting new lights for the fixture, it was not something i really thought of doing since i have used this light in previous grows and gotten fairly good results. Plants have had a fan constantly blowing on them, some seem to be a little lanky, but are handling the wind fine. Spots to plant outdoors have been determined, and some spots have already had at least a cubic foot of dirt removed and good soil put in. A deep hole is essential in letting roots grow enough so plant will not be stunted in growth, a mistake i have made in the past. Spots are located in swampy area of woods, there are little ponds everywhere so getting water there will not be a problem. I am considering putting 4-5 plants per spot with at least a couple feet between plants.
Before plants are put outdoors light cycle will be set back to at least 18 light 6 dark for a week or two before being put outside.
 
apietroski8

apietroski8

Well-Known Member
I have some updated pictures of the grow. Not going as well as liked for almost 2 weeks in soil, but a couple are looking fairly nice. I still have not invested in better fluorescents, but i am still thinking of the possibility. It has been decided that i am going to weed out the weak, literally. I am going to kill any of the smaller plants, some are not doing so great. There are way too many plants for the lights we have, and the bigger ones hopefully will do even better positioned more directly under the lights. Some of the plants had started to fall over, fan was turned off for a while and most of them began to come back up. I also had to prop some plants up with straws, but even after a few days they can support themselves now. The grow will most likely be cut back to 10 or so plants. Another round of seedlings is soon to come, suggestions and comments are always good.
 

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doowmd

doowmd

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apietroski8 said:
I have some updated pictures of the grow. Not going as well as liked for almost 2 weeks in soil, but a couple are looking fairly nice. I still have not invested in better fluorescents, but i am still thinking of the possibility. It has been decided that i am going to weed out the weak, literally. I am going to kill any of the smaller plants, some are not doing so great. There are way too many plants for the lights we have, and the bigger ones hopefully will do even better positioned more directly under the lights. Some of the plants had started to fall over, fan was turned off for a while and most of them began to come back up. I also had to prop some plants up with straws, but even after a few days they can support themselves now. The grow will most likely be cut back to 10 or so plants. Another round of seedlings is soon to come, suggestions and comments are always good.
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Hey man, wat up! I went to lowes back in feb. and they had "grow lights" for $15 a pc. I was wanting to do the same as you, get my seedlings started to put outdoors. So I bought 2 of em'. I also bought one of those domed seed starters w/ peat pellets in them. Then we went from there to walmart and they have 18 and 24" shoplights u can buy for $10. You have to buy the "grow bulbs" for the shop light seperatley but I just took out the bulbs that were in the light and replaced em w/ the grow bulbs LOL So I've got $40 invested in lights but they really started the plants out strong! I've got em all rigged up in a 2x3.5x2.5(or do) box. That's about what the measurements are can't remember for sure but thats close lol. Some grew too big too soon (I put em in the pellets germinated mar 1) so now I'm sexing them w/ a 12/12 sched. (for approx the last week now) and hopefully I'll know what they are by the first/second week of may and be able to get rid of males before lugging them all off into the hills! I hope this helped you out, and btw, that's y I was reading this post in the firstplace, cause I'm new to the game myself and looking for advice. I love this site, it's the shit!:clap: GROW ON BROTHERS!:weed:
 
apietroski8

apietroski8

Well-Known Member
I checked today definitely have grow bulbs already in fixture. I consulted with someone else and they think they are sufficient for the time being. Some plants are still pretty lanky, but there are a few that are doing very well. I think some may have been stunted from transplat, but have picked up now
 
apietroski8

apietroski8

Well-Known Member
Grow Room is going to be rearranged today. Light will be moved closer to the plants. More soil was put in with containers to help make plants sturdy and not need support to hold them up. I think this help them not grow so lanky, and after doing so they look better already. New pictures will be added today of the setup. A second grow room will be started so I can start another round of germination. I am going to start plants off in larger containers so transplanting is not necessary til the outside move. Also light will start off much closer than previous round. Have not decided if I am going to worry about sexing them inside before going outside, or just wait till August when I may be able to tell outside. Thanks for all the advice and input, it is much appreciated.
 
apietroski8

apietroski8

Well-Known Member
Today the growing arrangements were adjusted. The light is now nicely hung with an adjustable chain cord, and the light has been positioned closer and more effectively. I think they will stop getting so lanky now. By next week a second grow setup with be done for the new seedlings that are to come. Any advice on light adjustments before putting outside, right now they are on 24 hours light. Should i cut it back for a week or two before going out, or just let them deal with getting half as much light.
 

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doowmd

doowmd

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apietroski8 said:
Today the growing arrangements were adjusted. The light is now nicely hung with an adjustable chain cord, and the light has been positioned closer and more effectively. I think they will stop getting so lanky now. By next week a second grow setup with be done for the new seedlings that are to come. Any advice on light adjustments before putting outside, right now they are on 24 hours light. Should i cut it back for a week or two before going out, or just let them deal with getting half as much light.
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I figured it would stress them out pretty bad by going from 18 or 24 hrs of light to 12/14 in the sun so I just kept lights on for 16hr, figured that was a nice compromise, now that I've cut them back to 12/12 I figure by the time they're showing I can put them out and they will go back to the veg. state.
 
apietroski8

apietroski8

Well-Known Member
In the next week or two the light cycle will be put on a timer that will operate at either 18 or 16 hours of light. This will be done to allow the plants time to adjust to not having light all the time, and handling the suns light cycle. I will not induce budding inside, but will have to go out and weed out males once they are showing. Hopefully it can be done soon enough to stop pollination, as I would not like any seeds in my buds. I think im on the right track, I hope this second round of seedlings turn out better than the first, now that i can learn from some of my mistakes
 
apietroski8

apietroski8

Well-Known Member
Ive got some updated pictures of the grow. After the pictures were taken the light was lowered so it was just barely above touching the tallest plant. 6 plants that were not doing as well were moved underneath the table and another light was set up on them. The plants are looking nice and strong and the leaves are getting much better. Within the next 2 weeks the light cycle will be cut back. I have been advised to sex the plants before putting outside and that i should wait until after the new moon at the beginning of June to plant. Does anyone else have any suggestions on this matter. We have about 25 plants going right now, and I expect only a quarter of them to grow buds that i can harvest. Half of the plants will turn out to be male, and half of the females will die from animals or weather. I would have liked to get 100 or so plants started, but time is running out. I may not have enough time to do another round, unless I want to sacrifice size and yield of the plants. Just throwing some thoughts out there, let me know what you think.
 

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apietroski8

apietroski8

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Another round of seedlings in underway. The germination has started and they will be put in soil either monday or tuesday of next week. There will be another 30 plants, but none of these are going to have time to be sexed. Should i bother with a seedling starter kit that is going to have to be transplanted after a week of being in it, or should i go right to larger potting dishes. The downside to larger dishes is more surface area to cover with lighting and more soil to fill the dishes. Let me know what you think
 
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