Arizona n00b's hot greens

I'm in the 5th week of my first outdoor grow in Az. I've got 4 plants in pots -- 3 Ice from Nirvana and a feminized white widow from BDS. They have all sprouted and seem to be growing and healthy, except their growth seems very slow. I've got them in soil in one-gallon pots (MG potting soil with vermiculite and a handful of sand), and I have "heat shields" protecting the pots so the roots don't fry. I started feeding two weeks ago with FoxFarm Grow Big, no nute burn. I'm careful with the water, making sure to let them get fairly dry, but not to the point where they wilt. The babies get 11-12 hours of direct sunlight.

My question to y'all is this: don't these look a little small for their age (pic was taken at 4 weeks)? Could this be due to the extreme heat? It's been averaging 100 degs during the day, dropping to 60's or 70's at night.

The pic shows the three Ice babies, and the one on the right has been topped so it's bushier. For some reason, that one also seems to be showing more indica traits, as you can see. All of the plants in the pic are only about 4 inches with close-together nodes, though they've put on about two inches in the past week since I took the pic.

Any experienced heat growers here who can toss in their two cents?

btw, I've been lurking in these forums for the past month, and owe you all a debt of gratitude. I've already read the Grower's Bible and a few other books, but your experience and input has really helped me fill in my knowledge. It's like first reading a book on how to play chess, and then watching chess players explain each of their moves to you as they play. Invaluable. Thank you all.

jockogreen said:

I'm in the 5th week of my first outdoor grow in Az. I've got 4 plants in pots -- 3 Ice from Nirvana and a feminized white widow from BDS. They have all sprouted and seem to be growing and healthy, except their growth seems very slow. I've got them in soil in one-gallon pots (MG potting soil with vermiculite and a handful of sand), and I have "heat shields" protecting the pots so the roots don't fry. I started feeding two weeks ago with FoxFarm Grow Big, no nute burn. I'm careful with the water, making sure to let them get fairly dry, but not to the point where they wilt. The babies get 11-12 hours of direct sunlight.

My question to y'all is this: don't these look a little small for their age (pic was taken at 4 weeks)? Could this be due to the extreme heat? It's been averaging 100 degs during the day, dropping to 60's or 70's at night.

The pic shows the three Ice babies, and the one on the right has been topped so it's bushier. For some reason, that one also seems to be showing more indica traits, as you can see. All of the plants in the pic are only about 4 inches with close-together nodes, though they've put on about two inches in the past week since I took the pic.

Click to expand...

first of all definatly not the heat 100 deg is a walk in the park for the girls.

a couple of them do look smallish but they are healthy and that is whats important ,
they will kick on nicely though i feel.

good luck

Thanks O4 -- the encouragement is appreciated. I know these plants prefer cooler temps, and thc tends to degrade in heat -- how much do you think that will affect potency in the end? I think I'll have to be extra vigilant when it comes time to harvest, be sure not to go past the buds' prime (I write as I optimistically contemplate a few months from now).

Here's a fresh pic, day 37

it gets 100+ in texas as well my plants dont seem to mind they just keep shooting up , with heat just comes more frequent watering trips

jockogreen said:

Thanks O4 -- the encouragement is appreciated. I know these plants prefer cooler temps, and thc tends to degrade in heat -- how much do you think that will affect potency in the end? I think I'll have to be extra vigilant when it comes time to harvest, be sure not to go past the buds' prime (I write as I optimistically contemplate a few months from now).

Here's a fresh pic, day 37

Click to expand...

thc does not degrade in the heat,my summers are in the 120 deg range and they love it .
so put the heat out of your mind it wont affect potency..

yes i hope they produce well for you