Hey, I am trying an autoflower strain for the first time and was wondering what others do to introduce their seedlings to the outdoors. I have been trying to think of the best place to start my seedlings off when they pop up. In the past I have had trouble with seedlings getting tall and gangly early on so I am wondering when I can start introducing them to direct sunlight and for how long at a time? I have options when it comes to placement; a south facing garden, a small greenhouse, a covered patio that is very light but doesn't let the sun beat down on the plants and a place indoors in front of a glass sliding door, although this doesn't get any direct sun. I want my plants to have the best start to their lives as possible, any suggestions?
New Grower preparing seedlings for the great outdoors
- Thread starter Jonesy
- Start date
I'm doing a little outdoor UK thing too, will make a grow journal sometime soon too 
I grew one last year too, so I have a little experience.
Firstly, as much (direct) sunlight as possible is of course ideal. Now would be a good time to start them, they'll get the best part of summer. Greenhouses are great, that's what I've got this year, but they need wind to build strength so the buds don't weigh the stems over.
As for the best start as seedlings, I find warmth is the most important thing to get for outdoor UK, so perhaps on the inside of your glass or in the top of the greenhouse would be good for the first week or so. They can often grow in one direction on windowsills and such because of the direction of the light, rotating the plant every day helps this.
Good luck!
I grew one last year too, so I have a little experience.Firstly, as much (direct) sunlight as possible is of course ideal. Now would be a good time to start them, they'll get the best part of summer. Greenhouses are great, that's what I've got this year, but they need wind to build strength so the buds don't weigh the stems over.
As for the best start as seedlings, I find warmth is the most important thing to get for outdoor UK, so perhaps on the inside of your glass or in the top of the greenhouse would be good for the first week or so. They can often grow in one direction on windowsills and such because of the direction of the light, rotating the plant every day helps this.
Good luck!
Muddy
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I don't like to put anything outdoors full time until it has 4-5 sets of true leaves. Once they have about 2 sets you can start putting them outdoors for an hour or two, increasing the time every day by about an hour. This is what is called hardening them off. Slowly getting them acclimated to the new conditions. If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, that will help protect them and they can be placed in either a lot earlier.
I put my Auto Flower seedling outside in the shade for a few hours for 2-3 days then direct sunlight for a few hours for a day or 2 then it was full time outside. Never had a problem. Mine wasn't a seedling I guess, she was about a foot tall
I germed my seeds using the paper towel method. After 48 hours, I switched to putting the seeds in my micro style party cup planters. Kept them in there outside in the shade for 48 hours. Following day, I put them in their final home (2gal grow bags). They have since bee in those bags for about 3 days now and no probs whatsoever.
I'm also doing my first outdoor auto grow and have started my 2nd batch already. I started by leaving my seeds in a glass of water for 24 hour's which they sunk, then another 24 hour's in a damp paper towel covered with cling film. 48 hour's later all seeds have popped and I planted in final pot's and left them outside ever since and this is them 26 day's on.
View attachment 358690
^ Jock Horror ^
View attachment 358691
^ Ultra Lemon Haze^
- - - Updated - - -
I'm also doing my first outdoor auto grow and have started my 2nd batch already. I started by leaving my seeds in a glass of water for 24 hour's which they sunk, then another 24 hour's in a damp paper towel covered with cling film. 48 hour's later all seeds have popped and I planted in final pot's and left them outside ever since and this is them 26 day's on.
View attachment 358690
^ Jock Horror ^
View attachment 358691
^ Ultra Lemon Haze^
View attachment 358690
^ Jock Horror ^
View attachment 358691
^ Ultra Lemon Haze^
- - - Updated - - -
I'm also doing my first outdoor auto grow and have started my 2nd batch already. I started by leaving my seeds in a glass of water for 24 hour's which they sunk, then another 24 hour's in a damp paper towel covered with cling film. 48 hour's later all seeds have popped and I planted in final pot's and left them outside ever since and this is them 26 day's on.
View attachment 358690
^ Jock Horror ^
View attachment 358691
^ Ultra Lemon Haze^
