Outdoor Greenhouses for Autoflower?

[ishmil77]

Hi guys,

I have grown before, but never auto flowers. I recently germinated 5 Heavyweight Massive Midget seeds which sprouted 5 days ago. So far I have been putting them in my window for sun, and today I also introduced them to direct sunlight for 1.5 hours after the window stopped getting light. Within the next week I plan on moving them outdoors completely.

1. Can I successfully grow auto flowers during this time of year?(I live in Southern California)

In the next 8 weeks, which is the listed seed to harvest time for my strain, the night time lows are projected to be around 60 degrees through November and a little under 50 degrees through December.

2. Would using a greenhouse be helpful for cooler night temps?
2a. Would it be better to just keep them outside considering coolest temps are relatively high?


3. Has anyone ever grown during this time of year with greenhouses?
3a. Has anyone ever used a PlantHouse Portable Greenhouse?


I understand that auto flowers don't work on a photo-period, but I know sunlight is extremely important.

4. Will approximately 8 hours a day of direct sunlight be enough to have a plant over 10-15gs each?

 

[Muddy]

Welcome to AFN. Stop by our Introduction forum, start a thread and introduce yourself to our community.

I think the cold night time temperatures could pose a problem if grown directly outdoors. Once soil temps start to dip into the low 60s and into the 50s, autos tend to stop growing. The cold soil temps also inhibit the proper uptake of phosphorus and can lead to deficiencies. A green house would certainly help. If you go that route I would suggest you monitor the night time temps in the green house. You may find that some supplemental heating might be needed at night.

With the decreased sunlight you will see a corresponding drop in yields. Most dwarf auto strains grown on either 20/4 or 18/6 light schedules generally yield in the 30-50 gram range. I would think that your goal of 10-15 grams per plant could easily be accomplished, probably more but certainly not near what indoors yields.

Also, that 8 week time advertised by the seed bank is a bit misleading. They can finish in that time frame if you make the switch to bloom nutrients as soon as they show pre flowers. We've learned that if you extend the veg period out to about 6 weeks or until vertical growth stops, the plants will take 10-11 weeks to finish but will yield significantly more. Check the links in my signature for more information on this.

 

[ThaGreenBandit]

Hello Ish. Welcome to AFN! This is THE PLACE TO BE when it comes to growing some quality herbs. Especially autoflowers! As you can tell by Muddy's post, there are some very friendly and very knowledgeable growers on this site, so take advantage! Take special note of what Muddy says, when he takes the time to post in your page. The dude is pretty damn good at this weed growing thing, and really knows his stuff!

 

[ishmil77]

Thanks for replying Muddy. I will definitely take your advice. I have no options for indoor and since the season to start new plants outside is over, I wanted to experiment with autos during this time of year. I will keep you posted on how my grow goes.

-ISH

 

[ThaGreenBandit]

You should start a grow journal so we can keep up with the grow. Just a suggestion. That way you can get plenty of assistance with any problems you may, or may not, encounter

 

[Muddy]

Thanks for replying Muddy. I will definitely take your advice. I have no options for indoor and since the season to start new plants outside is over, I wanted to experiment with autos during this time of year. I will keep you posted on how my grow goes.

-ISH

You're quite welcome. Yes, keep us posted. I'm sure I won't be the only one who will be curious to see how this works out for you.

 

[oldster]

Hi Ishmil, and welcome to AFN. I am currently running some autoflowers in a greenhouse and so far they are doing well. I am at Latitude 43 degrees and have a heater set to come on at 60 degrees. My biggest issue so far is with daytime temps getting too high if I don't open the greenhouse during the day. If it is sunny the temps climb to over 100 F very quickly. I have a journal going here - https://www.autoflower.org/f149/oldster-tests-mephisto-genetics-36217.html

I will be doing an update with new pictures this weekend, plants are currently at day 41. Node spacing is definitely longer than I get outside in the summer with the reduced hours of sun so as Muddy indicated I am expecting yields to be down but still fun to be growing.


Good luck

 

[deadkndys]

IMHO you could but would need supplemental lighting as the days are getting shorter and autos do best in 18/6, 20/4.

 

[Sourdough]

I would go for it ! I have been surprised at what autos will take. Tlo seem to help. Its the only way i can pull a outdoor grow off.

I dont think 8 hrs lighting is not enuff. I have some cheap leds in my green house for winter when we get lot less light.

 

[seeker443]

Im currently growing autos in my greenhouse.Im heating it to72F and have LED lighting suplmenting the sun. Im at latitude 42 so I need the extra light and heat. They are looking great so far