Brand newbie starting first grow- all advice is welcome

sandhill larry said:

My go to advice for novice growers is to pop a bunch of bag seed a couple of weeks before your good ones. That way you can kill a few without the social, and economic pressures that come with bought seeds.

Good luck to you.

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sandhill larry said:

I wouldn't use 24 hours at all. Try 18/6, then dial it back from there as you get closer to going outside. You want to match the hours of natural light when they go out.

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Lifer99 said:

oh ok thank you. the guy at the grow store said 24hr until a few inches high then do a timer. Im just wondering if keep growing them under that light, buy a new one, or what time frame to move them outside in?

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sandhill larry said:

You can get a timer for about 10 bucks. The first few days doesn't matter too much, but you will want to regulate the hours before they get too old. Big changes in the light cycles can shock them.

As far as when to go outside, check you length of day with this link. {Just type in a city near you} For sexually mature {4-5 weeks old} plants, you want to have at least 13 1/2 hour days. Too early and they will early flower on you. But I think you will be in the clear by the time they are that old.

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/washington-dc

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sandhill larry said:

You can get a timer for about 10 bucks. The first few days doesn't matter too much, but you will want to regulate the hours before they get too old. Big changes in the light cycles can shock them.

As far as when to go outside, check you length of day with this link. {Just type in a city near you} For sexually mature {4-5 weeks old} plants, you want to have at least 13 1/2 hour days. Too early and they will early flower on you. But I think you will be in the clear by the time they are that old.

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/washington-dc

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Lifer99 said:

Here is the 6th day. i just started yesterday giving them 18hrs light/ 6 hrs off. going to transplant outdoors when the time is right. I put 2 seeds outside around the same time I started these to compare the difference. They arent showing any signs of life from what i can see thus far.
View attachment 3933687 View attachment 3933688

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sandhill larry said:

Your sprouts are looking good. What size pots are you going into next? When you transplant, you can bury some of that stem.

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Lifer99 said:

Thank you for your input. Id like to only transplant them once. I bought those soft cloth pots (2 gal) that you can just move from one into another larger pot. However i was thinking about getting 10 gal maybe and trying to put 2 plants per pot. do you think that is acceptable or should they all have their own dedicated home?

Thank you

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sandhill larry said:

Two gallons sounds pretty small. But then I have never grown autos, so it might be plenty. I would go to a nursery and ask to buy used pots. Lots of times they will give them to you. It will be plastic pots, but they work alright. Or if you see landscapers doing a job, ask them for pots. The ones young fruit trees come in are about 2-3 gallons, and would work good for you.

I grow in the ground, but I have put more than one plant per hole. When you do, it is important to tie them down so they all get an equal chance at the sun. But again, I have never grown autos, so the short veg might not be ideal for multiple plants per pot.

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Lifer99 said:

Thank you for your recommendations. I started growing a couple other things outside on my patio and picked up some I think 3-5 gal pots for about $1/ 1.50 ea. The 5+ are not all that much more. Ill go grab some right now. do you normally ever mix your soil? I bought some supposed good soil you didnt need to do anything to but im wondering if i should fill the base with stones now or if they will be ok as is?

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Lifer99 said:

Am I doing something wrong here? Why are they tipping over? should i use something to prop them up or transplant them yet? I think its about day 12. I need to get better at remembering to give them off light time. I just got a timer so that should be all set. Thanks for any recommendations.

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MrRoboto said:

They are all lanky because they want more light. In nature you have to get up higher if you aren't getting enough sun. Bring the light closer. You can transplant or tie them to some little bamboo skewers so they don't flop over and kink their stem.

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