trying outdoor24/7low temp no direct sun

[timan]

it seems to me my plant will just grow week and die.
its on the backside of where i reside,its very cool during the day and colder over night im sure i have yet to find out tonite.
any way am i just waisting my time with this or should i try it?
i can easily take care of it inside

 

[Kief Reefer]

take care of it inside. If temps drop below 55 it will slow growth, at 40 growth is stunted and at 32 cells become permanently damaged. while saprolings have been known to break the snow of an early frost, this is not the best environment for the quality a grower looks for. It does not need direct sun, but once again it will not turn out the way you want without plenty of light. What's the weather like seasonally?

 

[kottonspore]

where do you live and how what is the average temperature at night? Grow outside right now is crazy even if you live somewhere warm like san diego.

 

[timan]

i live in north county, these last few days were sunny and warm, but it might rain on tuesday.

 

[Kief Reefer]

use fluorescents for a month inside. The seedlings will be strong and healthy from controlled care. Take them outside everyday for a period of time. a couple hours or so. After a month when the weather is stable and warm and the seedlings are just past the third or fourth internode, plant them outside. They should be acclimated by then. For more tips on planting outside, if you need it, just ask.

 

[timan]

i think i'll keep it in side,
the stems going purple and i want a the good plants in and low-grade mistery's out.
besides i think i picked up some attention from leaving them visibaly in the back.
my neighbors are nosy,

 

[conference]

use fluorescents for a month inside. The seedlings will be strong and healthy from controlled care. Take them outside everyday for a period of time. a couple hours or so. After a month when the weather is stable and warm and the seedlings are just past the third or fourth internode, plant them outside. They should be acclimated by then. For more tips on planting outside, if you need it, just ask.

if i want to grow outdoors but start indoors, what would be good time to begin germination in the peat discs or grow tray indoors. i don't have a lot of space to keep big plants, so i'm going to need to probably spread them out a little or just wait and plant them outside. outside location will be distance from where i live of about 10 miles so i won't be around them often. would now be a good time to prep my soil in the grow locale? and if so what would some good pointers be to preping the location. i've read different accounts all over the net, but would rather real time advice. thanks

 

[Kief Reefer]

I am actually preparing my outdoor garden now, so I can give you about as real time advice as they come. I have 45 unfeminized seeds, all of which which I will be germinating. I'll be using those trays that come with 10 or 20 stake shaped pots on it for little herb gardens. The extended length helps the roots develop deep, rather than wide.

Check with the local garden shop for when most people start planting their tomatoes and germinate one month before that. Keep them inside for that month. I'll be using a 400 watt Metal Halide, a 400 watt High Pressure sodium, 3x 250 w MH, and 2x 150w MH. That's plenty for so many seedlings. You can use compact fluorescents (CFL's), a 13 watt cfl per seedling will be fine for the first two weeks. Then double the CFL's for the last two weeks. During this entire month, take them outside at least every other day. An hour at a time for the first week, then extend gradually. I like to do 2 hours the second week, and 6 for the remaining.

I am cleaning the selected outdoor area now. All weeds, unwanted vegetation, etc, is completely cleared out. If using a uniform crop in rows, orchard style, mark off the area. Keeping a clear and decisive area is important. I'm using a guerilla technique and only clear about a 1' radius area, sporadically. The surrounding vegetation needs to be kept to hide my plants. I will germinate mid-february. This is because the climate is arid, with early spring and hot summers, allowing me to plant as early as mid-march. The soil should be tilled one month before plantation. Add a loam to the topsoil and mix it all up, I like 50% loam, 50% topsoil. Leave the soil in the ground to acclimate for one entire month. It'll be rich and delicious by the time it's ready to get a plant. It's good to have a local water source. If you get droughts, that 10 miles will be a problem. If you do have a ground water source, check the pH. 6.5-7.0 is best. Use a resevoir to adjust pH if you need to. Also, check for pollution in the water, beer canss, cigarette buttes, etc. These are highly poisonous to plant and the water can't be used if it's bad. A little trash does not disqualify it, but a lot does. Check out this thread for a good water pump, you'll need it. https://www.rollitup.org/outdoor-growing/44131-us-guerilla-growers-worried-about.html and thank Mr. Pyrex for the tip. Peace, brothers and sisters.