Small Plants Out Early vs Big Plants Out Late

[Santa Cruz Dude]

so your saying I should put them out now under 15 hour light instead of keeping them in under 24/7 rapid f*kin growth no clouds mh ??? hahaha

you gotta harden them off before they go outside so they dont stress out too much. you probably only need a day or two of that right before youre ready to put them out though

 

[hazeforlife]

and im afraid if I top now, then they wont show sex as fast

 

[hazeforlife]

you gotta harden them off before they go outside so they dont stress out too much. you probably only need a day or two of that right before youre ready to put them out though

So, how should I harden them off?? they get 3 hours of direct sunlight a day, and the rest MH/HPS.. there under a 20/4 light cycle

 

[hazeforlife]

maybe I should let it get kinda cold in there during night cycle, and drop the light schedule to 18/6 would that help prepare them too?

 

[mellokitty]

and im afraid if I top now, then they wont show sex as fast

if you're planning on topping anyway, take the tops, label them according to which plant they came off, stick them in jiffy pucks (or some sort of medium), and flip them right away. (<-sounds like you know what you're looking for?)

easiest way to sex without stressing the whole plant, imo.

 

[gypsygreen]

Get them out now. They will grow MUCH bigger planted straight into the ground. More roots, more plant...its directly proportional. Thinking that a potted plant will grow bigger under 20 hours of light than an in earth plant under 14 hrs of light is a misconception. I will stake my reputaion on this. Go ahead and experiment. Unless you are using 30 gallon pots or a kiddie pool inside, you will notice substantial growth within a fortnight.

 

[gypsygreen]

you gotta harden them off before they go outside so they dont stress out too much. you probably only need a day or two of that right before youre ready to put them out though

My seedlings go out when the second set of leaves appear. I leave them outside, albeit in a slightly shadey spot for a few days unless its gonna rain a lot or get cold. After a few days they go to thier permanant spot. Even if there is gonna be alight frost, i will jsut cover them with a coffee can or something. Being exposed to cooler night temps will help prerpare them for the frosts come fall.

 

[obijohn]

I'd put them out now..the day cycle is long enough to veg, and they will get bigger under sunlight versus indoor light. Let them flower in the fall naturally, and they'll be plenty big with good yield. IMO you are limiting the size by not getting them out now

 

[hazeforlife]

Thanks Guys

I wish I could put them out now, but I dont know the sex and I'm not allowed to put anything that could be a male.. I told my dad I would get rid of the males before they pollinate his plants but he said no.. He has been grown the same strain with clones for 20 years and I guess just doesnt want any chance of gettin seeds ( even though my strain's would probly bump his strains seeds thc up ) lol

I guess the only thing to do is go 12/12 now then when they show sex put them out.. I dont know what else to do????

 

[hazeforlife]

One has showed sex!!!!

 

[Theowl]

Do like the kitty says, if your gonna top them. 12/12 the cuttings and keep vegging the main plants. (those that ain't shown yet)
Then u know for sure, and didn't stunt/delay growth by switching the lights a few times.
I had a sour diesel that didn't show sex till day 67 of veg, and that was a bitch. I couldve known sooner, but I had a plan to stick to that round. But hey, u do what u will and learn the way we do--by trying different ways.

 

[Theowl]

Do like the kitty says, if your gonna top them. 12/12 the cuttings and keep vegging the main plants. (those that ain't shown yet)
Then u know for sure, and didn't stunt/delay growth by switching the lights a few times.
I had a sour diesel that didn't show sex till day 67 of veg, and that was a bitch. I couldve known sooner, but I had a plan to stick to that round. But hey, u do what u will and learn the way we do--by trying different ways.

 

[hazeforlife]

how little of a top could i use to make a clone?

 

[hazeforlife]

and how much would it slow the main plants down ?

 

[sonar]

If you have the space and adequate lighting, I would keep them inside on 18/6 (or whatever veg cycle you currently have them on) for a few more weeks. Don't put them into 12/12 now. Even if you put them out June 21 they still be reveg on you. If I was going to put plants out that were already flowering I'd wait until at least mid July.

Taking clones and putting them on 12/12 like mellowkitty said is a good idea if you keep track of which plants they came off of. That way you won't be wasting time and money on plants that might be males, which I'm guessing is why you are wanting to do it. Most, if not all, veteran outdoor growers have mothers and only put out female clones. A lot of smaller growers and growers who don't have the time or space will use feminized seeds.

Also, I don't believe hardening them off will be necessary either. By then, the nights will be warm enough that temp stress shouldn't be an issue.

 

[hazeforlife]

If you have the space and adequate lighting, I would keep them inside on 18/6 (or whatever veg cycle you currently have them on) for a few more weeks. Don't put them into 12/12 now. Even if you put them out June 21 they still be reveg on you. If I was going to put plants out that were already flowering I'd wait until at least mid July.

Taking clones and putting them on 12/12 like mellowkitty said is a good idea if you keep track of which plants they came off of. That way you won't be wasting time and money on plants that might be males, which I'm guessing is why you are wanting to do it. Most, if not all, veteran outdoor growers have mothers and only put out female clones. A lot of smaller growers and growers who don't have the time or space will use feminized seeds.

Also, I don't believe hardening them off will be necessary either. By then, the nights will be warm enough that temp stress shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks for the advice..

I only have enough room/watts to keep them goin for another 2 weeks.. I mean go 12/12 and the second i see the tiniest white hair, then go back to 18/6... would that fuck them up? or if I take a clone off each one can i just take the very end growing tip or a node below with fan leaves??

 

[sonar]

Thanks for the advice..

I only have enough room/watts to keep them goin for another 2 weeks.. I mean go 12/12 and the second i see the tiniest white hair, then go back to 18/6... would that fuck them up? or if I take a clone off each one can i just take the very end growing tip or a node below with fan leaves??

That changes things. You would want to act fast in taking clones if you want to know sex within 2 weeks. That's if the plants are even big enough to be cutting clones. Topping them and using the tops as clones will stunt their growth some and maybe buy you some time witht the watts you have. Any pics?

 

[hazeforlife]

look at my thread V to see pics/videos

 

[hazeforlife]

Is there any chance they could show sex in 3 weeks?? thats the longest they can stay in there

 

[hazeforlife]

Hey Guys..... I put them all outside except for two, one purple indica, and one bagseed.. the bagseed smells minty, and the purple indica smells fruity