Outdoor Preparing for next Year. Question regarding starting Photos indoors.

[Mgmguru]

I already have a current Auto Outdoor grow going but want to throw out a few full photos next year.

I would like to start 12 TOTAL Photo plants indoors. I would like to start them indoors so they have a great start. The question that I have is, I have ALWAYS been an outdoor grower so indoors is new to me. I know the basics and im only going to be vegging so i should be good on the actual indoor operation.

What I would like to know is what lighting would I need to start 12 plants indoors in March. i am not keeping them indoors long, only 2 months. I plan on putting them outdoors in thier final place in the first week of May. I want to give them enough light. I want NO stretching or as little as possible. I live in an area with "OK" weather so they always stretch some outdoors but would like to prevent it as much as possible while they are indoors for that two months period.

So...

What lighting would i need to get me by for those two months? Cost is not really an issue but i dont want to drop hundreds of dollars for a two month Veg on such a small amount of plants. Please consider the stretching I mentioned above.


Any help would be great. Thanks in advance guys!

 

[namvet25]

Do you plan on putting them in the ground outside or leave them in the pots?

 

[Mgmguru]

I plan on putting these directly in prefilled holes consisting of prepped soil. Roughtly 60 gallons of preprepped soil per hole.

 

[Balarama]

Good idea, mgm

From what I read and some limited experience I have, I'd chose to start indoors with 24/0 for first 10 or 14 days, then switch to 15,5/8,5 or 16/8 for the rest of the indoor period.
Remember to match the ID lightning to the actual photoperiod at your latitude on the day you put them out. For me 15,5 worked great for mid-may at 45N.
Feed very light with N(veg nutes)to avoid excessive stretch and use a light soil mix. Top the plants if desired or apply lst.

Next thing to remember is to leave enough space for them to get big(if you want them big) and prepare some support, like cages, poles or whatever.

What strains will you run, or is it too soon to decide?
I know it's gonna be next year, but I can't wait to follow the progress

 

[namvet25]

The cheapest way would be to use 6500k cfl's with some reflectors,or a few t5 units.I also would shorten the indoor veg time to five or six weeks,this would still give you some nice size transplants.

 

[Mgmguru]

Thanks for the response Balarama.

The strains that I am going with are two simple ones that really go crazy in my area. Im in the northeast so we get so-so weather.

Strains:
Blue Dream
Northern lights

Pretty simple strains and nothing exotic but I have had insane yields on both just out of 5 gallon buckets outdoors. I have gotten 6 ounces dried and cured from both in 5 gallon buckets. This was from seed that was put in soil around the first of June. I can't wait to see what they will do with more time and more root space. i also ue the basic run of tthe mill fox farm Nutes and I have had great results. At least the results keep me happy. im far from a pro.

I love autos but most of my area only gets 4-6 hours of sunlight so I dont get maximum yeild but they flower so quickly they are exciting to watch. Photos on the other hand are a bit boring but I always plant a few in case something goes awry with my autos. i know im guarantted my meds for the year if my autos go bust.

Curious to see how this goes.

What lighting would you recommend for these twelve plants? That is my main concern.