New Grower Two questions before starting.

[organic]

Hi,

Just about to kick start my grow op for this year. A few parts are new to me, mostly the seeds being an autoflower (not worried about) and first time outdoors within a plastic greenhouse. Sadly had to give up the HID when I moved.

100 (W) 50 (D) 1.5 (H) / I have 1.2 (H) to play with after the pots height and 50 (W)+(D) per plant. I plan on constructing a cage to pull the branches into place for best light penetration for each plant.

My pots are around 20 ltr in size with only 2 plants at a time being grown. then plan on getting a rotating system in place over a month giving me the chance for 8-10 plants before the weather turns again. More then enough for myself.

Sun light to plants can be first light till around 1 pm. The length of time the plants will receive direct light will grow as the days get longer in this spot but right now its around 7 hours or direct light or if moved can be from around 10/11 AM in till 6/7 PM maybe later, but due to a fence and the path the sun takes will never receive early morning sun.

So 1st Q

What would be best area to start with in till the plants show pre-flowers (female seeds) The early morning, or afternoon?

I am not going to play with the plants, no topping, cutting or anything that will slow there growth down, just a bit of tying branches here and there to give as much light as possible to the whole plant.

2nd Q

How big, This is my main concern about the size, well the height the plant may reach as I always gave my indoor plants a x2 ratio. So if I flowered at say 1ft it would then finish around the 2ft + mark once the stretch had ended.

But i have no control over an auto, it will flower when it flowers and with it being semi outdoors too. Seed supplier says 80-130 Which is about my limit. I went for 20 ltr pots to give the plant the best chance of producing enough to make 2 plants a go worth while. Rather then to small a pot / plant and end up with just grams dried.

What size plants do people get using the same size pots outdoor?

Just waiting till 10+ at night to start, it looks good for a day or two then we get hit by a cold snap and a ton of rain again.

If i can get the answers to my two questions i am good to go.

Thanks



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[organic]

Back up we go, still searching for answers.

 

[namvet25]

It doesn't matter when you start.Put them where they will get the most sun.There kind of like tomatos and wont grow n cold weather.

 

[AndyBotwin]

I'm with nam that you can start them anywhere as long as it's the maximum light you can give them. As for the height, you've got 5 gallon buckets and over 4 feet of height, so I don't think you will have much problem with them outgrowing the space. The biggest concern might be stretching early on since you don't have a bunch of available light. I had an auto plant outdoors recently in the cool, overcast weather and it was over 2 feet tall by the 3rd node & leaning south in hopes of finding light.

 

[organic]

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Hi Andy, I have been thinking about doing the first 10 days indoors under a light to hopefully stop the problem you describe. I was all set for one pot start to finish, but after lots more reading I realized most types of soil I can get my hands on will be to hot for them at that age, so grabbed some small 5" pots today and some seedling soil and perlite.

The uk suks for lighting, everywhere i went today only had 2700k bulbs, just could not find a single 2600k anywhere, though I may need to look harder next time.

- - - Updated - - -

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I was thinking a bit more then just "the most sun" as I've never had to worry about lumens before when indoors, and was interested weather the morning light is better then afternoon light or the other way around.

 

[Dr Who]

Morning sun might help to remove moisture from buds which have become damp overnight later in flower.

 

[organic]

Just ordered a 150W cfl to see me through the first 10 days or so. Should be more then enough for two plants then its all down to mother nature and knowing the uk weather it will rain all summer now.

 

[AndyBotwin]

A 150w CFL should be perfect to keep two seedlings warm and well-lighted in their early days. Good karma sent your way for a warm, sunny summer!