Canadian Outdoor Auto Grow Log

This is my first ever grow!

Details
Outdoors, 50° Latitude
Soilless (Pro-Mix)
Nutes: Maxibloom (KISS Method)
5 Gallon Grow Bags

Seeds (All Auto, One of Each)
- Northern Lights
- Gelato
- Gorilla Glue #4
- Green Crack
Source: autoflower.ca (Canadian)

Germination Timeline
June 1st - Soaked in water
June 2nd - Soaked in moist paper towel
June 3rd - Planted in pots
June 8th - Sprouted (all except Gelato)
June 10th - All sprouted


Pic: Gorilla Glue #4

Weather
June 1-12: Has been unseasonably CLOUDY, COOL, AND WET 15c-21c / 60f-70f daytime high


Log

June 8-12 - Just watering
Poking with finger for dryness/moisture and gently watering around the little seedlings accordingly once per day. Promix is amazing at keeping it perfect moisture. I regret not saturating the entire pots once before planting. I heard it's good at activating the buffering of the Promix. I'm using tap water which I also regret because it has since gone all the way up to 7.5-8Ph from 7Ph beginning of the month! Spring runoff. I will probably now Ph my water accordingly until they are big enough for nutes (soon!). Also worried about the weather...

June 12th - Watering and Ph and Nute Mixing Practice
While I wait till they get bigger, I've been trying to get the PPM/EC and Ph right. For me, the biggest challenge is getting the Ph low enough for the first feeding in about a week or so. At the beginning of the month, my tap water was low-mid 7Ph. Adding 1tsp of Maxibloom in 4L/1Gallon gave me 700-800ppm and 1.5EC, and 6.1Ph. This is fine for some photoperiods but apparently you have to go lower for autos. So today I tried 1/8 of a teaspoon of Maxibloom, but 7.5Ph/100ppm!. The spring runoff must have raised my tap water by 1Ph. I thought that PPM was too ridiculously low and finicky, so I did 1/4tsp of Maxibloom in 4L/1Gallon and ended up with 7.1Ph/220ppm/0.5EC. Ph is still too high and needs PhDown....ok fine.

The GH MaxiSeries Performance Feed Charts say 450-650ppm and 0.9-1.3EC (light feed) for seedlings. The 1/4tsp I tried falls well below the recommended, but I want to be careful, especially when they're younger. I'm wondering if this is being too careful, because if I go 1/2tsp of Maxibloom I think it'll get the Ph perfect without any tinkering and the ppm will be within the GH guidelines (whatever that is worth). I'll report back after I do another practice mix tomorrow!

June 13th -

June 13th, 2022

With tap water Ph at 7.5-8 I did the following to get the first batch of nutes ready for feeding next week:

1/2tsp Maxibloom/4L, 1Gallon
~1/8tsp PhDown
New Ph: 5.8-6.0Ph
300ppm

I'm happy with this and will use it for the first feeding.
On a side note it went all the way down to +8c - +11c today for a daytime high. It's cold, windy, and rainy, so I had to take the babies in the garage which fortunately has a big window. Here are some pics of them inside.

Since they're auto I worry about this early childhood trauma affecting their later days/weeks! I'm thinking the Northern Lights might have better genetics for this, but the Gorilla Glue #4 and definitely the sativa leaning Green Crack probably hate this weather. They all look absolutely the same and healthy at this point but I worry! I also think they could be bigger....no watering need today or tomorrow

bc_southbuds said:

This is my first ever grow!

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Every year there are things that will negatively impact the outcome, from my meager 7 years of growing outdoors (this being my 8th), I would say that the year that all the stars line up and conditions are near optimal is definitely the anomaly and not the norm. So far I've had one year like that, and it took me a while to figure out that I didn't do everything right that year and screw up the other years -- that year we happened to have perfect weather, and I happened to start at the best possible time for that season.

Figuring out how to prepare for the unexpected and adapt to imperfect situations seems to be the skillset best suited for outdoor growing.

bc_southbuds said:

Since they're auto I worry about this early childhood trauma affecting their later days/weeks!

Click to expand...

Poop happens. I would humbly suggest that you make the first year about having as many finish well as possible, and not be concerned with an optimal outcomes or perfect plants.

You appear to have done your research, and you seem to be providing them with with a good and balanced setup. That's all you can do. The rest is up to genetics and the weather which are entirely outside of our control (unless you choose to build a climate controlled greenhouse with supplemental lighting...).

Don't forget to have fun!

Humanrob said:

Every year there are things that will negatively impact the outcome, from my meager 7 years of growing outdoors (this being my 8th), I would say that the year that all the stars line up and conditions are near optimal is definitely the anomaly and not the norm. So far I've had one year like that, and it took me a while to figure out that I didn't do everything right that year and screw up the other years -- that year we happened to have perfect weather, and I happened to start at the best possible time for that season.

Figuring out how to prepare for the unexpected and adapt to imperfect situations seems to be the skillset best suited for outdoor growing.



Poop happens. I would humbly suggest that you make the first year about having as many finish well as possible, and not be concerned with an optimal outcomes or perfect plants.

You appear to have done your research, and you seem to be providing them with with a good and balanced setup. That's all you can do. The rest is up to genetics and the weather which are entirely outside of our control (unless you choose to build a climate controlled greenhouse with supplemental lighting...).

Don't forget to have fun!

Click to expand...

Thanks! That’s why I chose the KISS method and outdoors — to keep it as simple as possible and to not be bogged down or preoccupied with perfection by throwing tons of money at ridiculous feeding products. At the end of the day it’s all just NPK!

To grow outdoors is to be at the mercy of nature. That kind of constraint kind of puts my mind at ease because I can’t control the weather.

I might actually start some more seeds with the hope of an extended “Indian summer”. We get them every other year or so. That’s when the beginning to middle of September feels like late July, early August. I’ll go over my 4 plant legal limit but unless I have 80 plants in the yard nobody cares.

Good luck with your outside grow. I tried my first year and the weather conditions made for a bust. 2nd attempt outdoors was a male. lol. If you already have some basic gardening chops you'll be OK.

Thanks for your support!
Oh man...well, let's see just how feminized these seeds really are
Boom or bust, you'll see it right here!

June 15th, 2022

Still cold, cloudy and wet out. Took the pots outside after being in the garage for 2 days of bad weather.

Starting these as a backup plan…hoping for heat and sun on the coming weeks. Should have them potted after they pop in the next 2 days. 1 seed x Amnesia and 1 seed x Blue Dream. Both sativa leaning strains so sun will be vital. The batch I currently have going are hybrid and indica leaning except for Green Crack.

FINALLY SOME SUN. I need days like this for the rest of the summer.

These little guys are waaaaay behind. This is day 7 after breaking soil. Just hoping that the tap roots are making their way down.

June 16th, 2022

Seedlings don’t seem to mind a light feeding with every water. Formula is as follows:

- Maxibloom Premix (half strength in tap water and Ph’d)
- Diluted with water
- 5.5Ph
- 0.5EC
- 150ppm

I’m going to up the strength later on this week to about 200-250ppm/0.7-0.9EC and see what happens.

June 17th, 2022

Fed again today with the same as above which is roughlyone part half strength Maxibloom (1/2tspn per gal) and one part Ph’d tap water. This results in a 1/4 strength feeding.

Getting way more sun now. Weather is warming up BUT forecast is calling for 3 days of cloudier skies! Agh! That’s ok, I have a backup plan going, see new seeds in previous posts.

the only thing I’m worried about now is feeding too frequently so tomorrow it will be just Ph’d water. I also need to start watering till runoff. So far it’s just been watering around the seedling thoroughly. I don’t want salt buildup.

here are a few pics. This is 2.5 weeks. Rough start with the cloudy weather but hoping there’s more going on below the soil than there is above it.


One thing I regret is not filling the soil to the top. This is an old habit of mine for other plants so I can water fully. The sun is always at an angle so you get shadows. I don’t want to dig them up and add soil because they are whiny little autos that can’t handle stress.
is this guy not as green as she could be??

Be careful with the feeding -- most auto growers seem to agree that if they're in good soil, they don't need any additional nutrients for at least the first 2-3 weeks. The problem with over feeding is that sometimes you don't know you've done it until it's too late. I'd just give them water for a while, just learning how not to over or under water is an art all to itself.

Humanrob said:

Be careful with the feeding -- most auto growers seem to agree that if they're in good soil, they don't need any additional nutrients for at least the first 2-3 weeks. The problem with over feeding is that sometimes you don't know you've done it until it's too late. I'd just give them water for a while, just learning how not to over or under water is an art all to itself.

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Thanks, yeah I considered that but I’m using Promix which has absolutely nothing nutrient wise. These guys are 2-3 weeks old so my theory is That they have used their seed reserves

bc_southbuds said:

Thanks, yeah I considered that but I’m using Promix which has absolutely nothing nutrient wise. These guys are 2-3 weeks old so my theory is That they have used their seed reserves

Click to expand...

Sorry, didn't realize your medium.

Humanrob said:

Sorry, didn't realize your medium.

Click to expand...

You still have a good point!

June 18, 2022

Did a full water until runoff for the first time.
Did this because I’ve been watering around the seedling up until today. I’ve heard good things about, sorta, activating the buffering properties of the Promix when doing this, and also Promix tends to hang onto nutrients really well and can create build-up. So this is my first official (real) watering and from now on it will be Feed, Feed, Water with feeding at quarter strength to start. Then move up to half strength once that 1 week cycle is done.

Nice and sunny. All are looking good with Gorilla Glue #4 doing the best.

Plain water.
Ph’d to 6.0

I'm going to have to see how those do for you. I grew a couple of nice autos outside in the ground last year but the ground was at least half ProMix HP and various organic inputs like our own compost that has chicken manure in it from our chickens, Plus store bought manures like steer and sheep with this year mushroom added.

Still haven't quite finished the new spot but will be ready in a few days and the plants are getting tallish already. Sprouted about the same time as yours. Wife just told me the forecast is 3 days of thunderstorms, lots of rain and hail again so no rush to finish the raised bed I guess.

Same fem auto strain as last year, Mazarilla by Urban Legends, but fem seeds I made from 3 of the plants indoors over the winter. One for a pollen donor and two got seeded a bit so growing 2 each from both girls and now spraying one sprout from those with STS so I have fresh F1 pollen to make some seeds on the outdoor girls for some F2s. They are a cross of Mazar auto and GG#4 auto.

The day before harvest with all the fan leaves removed. 32" tall and 6oz each. Got tarped over in bad weather and we get some nasty summer thunderstorms up here in northern Alberta with gale force winds so needing to add a windbreak in the new spot. These two were more sheltered but got about 5 hours less sun each day than the new spot will get once I drop a few trees. 20 hour days here now so they grew like crazy last year.



My babies for outside. Tallest is 4.5" and there are 7 CBD Auto 'Hemp' regulars strain I'll be putting in last year's spot.



Put a 2x4 on the ground to set the edge of your pots on to lean them toward the sun and turn the plants once a day so any lean they may develop evens out.

I couldn't get mine in the ground until June 29 last year because of shit weather like now so not worried. They looked too small to produce much but really took off once they got roots going so don't worry as yours will too!

OldMedUser said:

I'm going to have to see how those do for you. I grew a couple of nice autos outside in the ground last year but the ground was at least half ProMix HP and various organic inputs like our own compost that has chicken manure in it from our chickens, Plus store bought manures like steer and sheep with this year mushroom added.

Still haven't quite finished the new spot but will be ready in a few days and the plants are getting tallish already. Sprouted about the same time as yours. Wife just told me the forecast is 3 days of thunderstorms, lots of rain and hail again so no rush to finish the raised bed I guess.

Same fem auto strain as last year, Mazarilla by Urban Legends, but fem seeds I made from 3 of the plants indoors over the winter. One for a pollen donor and two got seeded a bit so growing 2 each from both girls and now spraying one sprout from those with STS so I have fresh F1 pollen to make some seeds on the outdoor girls for some F2s. They are a cross of Mazar auto and GG#4 auto.

The day before harvest with all the fan leaves removed. 32" tall and 6oz each. Got tarped over in bad weather and we get some nasty summer thunderstorms up here in northern Alberta with gale force winds so needing to add a windbreak in the new spot. These two were more sheltered but got about 5 hours less sun each day than the new spot will get once I drop a few trees. 20 hour days here now so they grew like crazy last year.

View attachment 5151335

My babies for outside. Tallest is 4.5" and there are 7 CBD Auto 'Hemp' regulars strain I'll be putting in last year's spot.

View attachment 5151336

Put a 2x4 on the ground to set the edge of your pots on to lean them toward the sun and turn the plants once a day so any lean they may develop evens out.

I couldn't get mine in the ground until June 29 last year because of shit weather like now so not worried. They looked too small to produce much but really took off once they got roots going so don't worry as yours will too!

Click to expand...

That’s awesome man, looking good! Thanks for sharing and keep me updated. I got 4 more seeds on germination, so even if these don’t do, I got backups. Encouraging stuff tho!

June 19th, 2022

Planted two of my backup seeds: Anunnaki OG, and Amnesia (both autos).

Both planted in Promix and perlite (5:1) just to be sure I don't ever overwater. I presoaked (watered) the blend with Ph’d water first before planting. Sprinkled/mixed in a handful of organic manure compost around the seed area just so I don’t have to fret about when to do the first feed (backup strategy). It’s literally just a handful each pot on top.

The other plants showing some rigour after a few light feeds.

Also rolled the edges of the fabric pots down for more light exposure.


Gorilla Glue #4
Green Crack

June 20th, 2022

Added some risers as per @Budzbuddha’s suggestion here https://www.rollitup.org/t/fill-your-pots-up.1076100/post-16976025
This should help with pests and drainage. Made sure they have a wide base as not to tip over like some narrow risers do in the wind.

Planted one more Northern Lights seed. 7 plants in total! (One is not on a riser yet).

Some good sun today, seedlings are looking good to me so far. May feed tonight after the promix dries a bit more.



Gorilla Glue #4 still on top

A little yellow on its way? Or just me?

June 21st, 2020

Last feeding at 1/4 strength today. Next feeding will be 1/2 strength.

1/2 = 1/2tsp Maxibloom in 1gal water (200ppm)
1/4 = One part above mix + One part plain tap water (100ppm)
I set the Ph to 6 across the board.

A little worried I overwatered today but I expect a sunny day, and those black pots soak up that heat. Also, this is exactly why I added additional perlite: More forgiving if I do overwater.

June 22, 2022

Just a growth update — letting them do their thing. Its been a mix of cloud and sun but overall temps are good and no problems that I am see so far.


Gorilla Glue #4


Gelato


Green Crack


Northern Lights (can see a second NL still waiting to pop out in the background )