New Grower Northen Lights Auto, UK Outdoor Grow, 1st Ever Grow Attempt

[markp]

Hi all

I have some pics that I will get up as soon as I can get onto the big computer. Two of them seem to be doing very well (although I have no frame of reference), the smallest of the three looks like she is struggling. She has the first 4 leaves, but has not got the next four that come off at the diagonal. I dint think she like the move much, growth has slowed on her too. With a big of luck she will rally and just be a bit smaller than the others.
Thanks for looking

They're looking good. The smaller one should be fine - it's probably just a temporary slow down from transplanting them. I wouldn't worry about comparing their progress with experienced hydroponic growers - you're at the mercy of Mother Nature, but the weather's definitely warmed up so let them do as much sunbathing as possible!

 

[markp]

Hi all

My bio pack arrived today. I was planning on giving the first feed tomorrow. I was going to start off with bio grow 1ml to 1L. I am still a bit confused about the best way to go about this. I have read some stuff that says I should feed all 3 (bio, flower and top max) all at the same time. Others say just grow for the veg stage, would love to here your views and experience of this.

At the moment the plants are in the vegative state - ie growing leaves. They mainly need nitrogen for this, which is provided by the "bio grow". When they start flowering you want them to put their energy into growing flowers not leaves, this needs Phosphorus and Potassium, which is provided by the "bio bloom" (at the point you don't want more leaves so you stop the bio grow).

The classic noob mistake is to get impatient and throw loads of strong nutrients at the little plants to try to speed things up but this will just kill them. P a t i e n c e is often the best thing for plant health.

As yours have only just gone into fresh compost there will still be plenty of nutrients in that, so I'd hold off for a couple days and then give some weak bio grow. When you measure out 1ml and put it into 1l it looks like nothing - it's very tempting to make it stronger, but that would be a bad thing. Also let the soil dry out a bit between waterings - ie don't keep it permanently wet. If you've got spare mix (bio grow) in you watering can use it on your lettuces. When you get to the flowering stage you can put any spare mix (bio bloom) on your tomatoes in the greenhouse - you'll be amazed how many flowers come through.

- - - Updated - - -

Hi all


I have also started giving pest contole some thought. I have slug pellets but not much ells, if anyone knows the risks/ solutions any info on this is very welcome.


Lastly, do I need to be worried about mold at this stage ?

No need to worry about mould at this stage. It is something that affects the flowers if they get damp.

Slug pellets are a must - remember to replenish regularly and especially after rain. Lots of other things can be a pest but the best thing is just to inspect them daily - no point taking precautions against wild deer or rabbits if you live in an urban area.


What other veg have you got going on?

 

[Early_Girl_UK]

Early girl, nice growth, every strain grows differently. I am exactly 3 weeks into my grow. She is coming out with her 3rd node, she should have been a lot bigger but I made si many first time mistakes.

Your growth is green, healthy, just dont add any nutes Into the pot until about week 3/4, you will burn them. Trust me I fed them stupidly at week 1.5 idk what I was thinking.

If you havent ordered your nutes. Get plant magic old timers bloom and grow from eBay about 12 pounds per bottle with free delivery, or as someone mentioned before the wilkinsons tomatoe feed for 3 quid.

I will be checking here regularly, nice to see an outdoor grow.

All the best,

Zain

Zain

Thanks Zain. I got the messages from you andMark before I added any nuets. So you may have saved their lives! I gave them plentyof water today. It’s amazing how much they use up in the sun compered to inside!I have a bio biz selection pack, it was only about £15 for all three, and thatshould see me through this year’s grow.

Thanksfor following, your input is appreciated

 

[Early_Girl_UK]

At the moment the plants are in the vegative state - ie growing leaves. They mainly need nitrogen for this, which is provided by the "bio grow". When they start flowering you want them to put their energy into growing flowers not leaves, this needs Phosphorus and Potassium, which is provided by the "bio bloom" (at the point you don't want more leaves so you stop the bio grow).

The classic noob mistake is to get impatient and throw loads of strong nutrients at the little plants to try to speed things up but this will just kill them. P a t i e n c e is often the best thing for plant health.

As yours have only just gone into fresh compost there will still be plenty of nutrients in that, so I'd hold off for a couple days and then give some weak bio grow. When you measure out 1ml and put it into 1l it looks like nothing - it's very tempting to make it stronger, but that would be a bad thing. Also let the soil dry out a bit between waterings - ie don't keep it permanently wet. If you've got spare mix (bio grow) in you watering can use it on your lettuces. When you get to the flowering stage you can put any spare mix (bio bloom) on your tomatoes in the greenhouse - you'll be amazed how many flowers come through.

- - - Updated - - -
Thanks for that tip. Water only, not too far from week 3, i will just judge it on the plants b4 that. I have my 1ml spoon at the ready lol


No need to worry about mould at this stage. It is something that affects the flowers if they get damp.

Slug pellets are a must - remember to replenish regularly and especially after rain. Lots of other things can be a pest but the best thing is just to inspect them daily - no point taking precautions against wild deer or rabbits if you live in an urban area.

Hmm yes can’t see wild deer being an issue lol. Birds could be an issue mind.

What other veg have you got going on?

I have spent this beautiful day potting on and setting up the garden. I have lots of different herbs, garlic, onions, courgettes, butternut squash, peppers and tomatoes. All my favs to cook with. It will be awesome to be able to munshy on all that home grown goodness

 

[Wienerwoods]

Your plants seem to be further along in growth than mine. I guess it's just the poor availability of sunlight where I live. Now that my plants have been released into the wild they should take off soon.

It will be interesting to compare our results nevertheless. If robbery won't take place that is

 

[Early_Girl_UK]

I had a look at your Wiener, when did yours first pop. It took about a week for mine from start of germinating, so about three weeks in all so far

 

[Wienerwoods]

Well my Northern Lights germinated in under a day, sprouted in two days and has now been in the seedling stage for almost 17 days.

So yeah, about the same age but at the very least your leaves are bigger than mine. Could it have anything to do with you planting in a smaller container first or is it purely because of the scarcity of light? Makes you wonder...
Then again, every seed grows out a little different.

 

[GMan]

They're looking great. How are you coping with the weather? I'm in the UK, getting a blistering hot day followed by 2 torrential rain days.

 

[Jonesy]

Gman I hear that, wish I started mine two weeks ago so they were already developed before this whole week of grey

 

[Early_Girl_UK]

Well my Northern Lights germinated in under a day, sprouted in two days and has now been in the seedling stage for almost 17 days.

So yeah, about the same age but at the very least your leaves are bigger than mine. Could it have anything to do with you planting in a smaller container first or is it purely because of the scarcity of light? Makes you wonder...
Then again, every seed grows out a little different.

I think it’s just that they are all different, what seed bank did yours come from? Mine are Sensi. Growing in small pots is bad for autos, I did it before I knew that. Luckily only one of mine seemed to get stunted, and now that one seems to have started growing some more, so I think I got away with that. I think as long as they are green and growing you should be OK. But there are ppl with a lot more experience than me who may now better lol