Johnnyorganic's Experimental Outdoor

Background: Completed a total of 5 grows (2 indoor, 3 Outdoor). I learn more each new grow. This journal is labeled as experimental because I intend to extend my outdoor grows into three seasons. This winter grow should tell me plenty about how frost tolerant the plants are taking proper measures like bringing them inside for hard frosts. Plants left outside for light frosts will be protected like a gardener in my USDA Plant Hardiness Zone (Zone 8b) would protect any pepper plant. Winters in this area are mild with low temperatures of 10 to 20 F. Last average frost date is March 15 and average first frost date is November 15. This is a bagseed grow of mexican sativa. Soon I hope to graduate to commercial seeds. For now I am content with my bagseed.

Day 30: Temp: 68 F High/47 F Low. This group of plants is the first five seedlings large enough to transplant to 1 gallons containers. Starting medium was a commercial variety, but the transplant medium is mine. 1 part peat moss, 1 part dirt and 1 part compost I made myself. These photos were taken within hours of transplanting. The next morning each plant had perked up noticeably. They seem to have responded well to my potting mix. Pay no attention to the plants in the raised bed. It's broccoli raab.

Day 33: 68 F High/37 F Low. I was able to transplant 6 seedlings on Day 32. Bringing my running total to 11. The Biggest problem I am having is squirrels digging in the containers and disturbing the young plants.


Day 34: 59 F High/32 F Low. Light freeze last night killed all the basil in the garden and did some damage to the pepper plant left uncovered. I left two cannabis plants unprotected and they did quite well. I protected the 9 plants and un-transplanted seedlings underneath an upside-down and empty recycling bin. All nine plants were unaffected by the cold.

I did not mention previously, but I am counting the days from when seed was planted.

Anyone who wishes may add their opinion. I appreciate any constructive comments and suggestions. Thanks for looking.

looking good, but a little small for 30 days, these plants in my pics are 3 half week from seed, and have been topped. how many hours sunlite are you getting where you are. where in the world are you growing. if i may ask?.
here is the pics 25 days from packet. in soil under flos, for now.View attachment 48935



View attachment 48937

View attachment 48938 im not showing off or anything ,saying mine are bigger than yours, but there quite small for there age, your plants, maybe there not getting enuf lite outdoors. i have mine on 24/0.

from the pics , it looks like fall were you are, so if your growing outdoor, wont your plants, go straight to 12/12. because of the short days. plus the cold will be holding them back. id get a lite, if i was you, it can only get colder, maybe grow on w.sill indoors, and get some flos, maybe

Sweet. Ive been waiting for somebody to do somthing like this. Ive always wanted to GG during the winter when bud is in short supply.

The small size of the plants is an illusion. When I transplanted into one-gallon containers I buried the plants up to the cotyledons.

This is an experiment. I want to see what kind of protection cannabis needs through the winter in my climate. I live in Texas so its fall/winter sun right now.

Very soon the days will start getting longer so I am unconcerned with light cycles. As far as direct sunlight, I'd say where they are located gets at least seven of the eleven visible daylight hours per day.

I've completed 2 indoor grows. The last was about the same size as this grow, under a 400 watt halogen setup. I prefer outdoor grows.

so your starting out 12/12 then going to goto vegg. any more pics.
not been funny. there your plants/your time, but i dont think it will work. your just messing with the plants cycle. ive tryed this ,in colder climates, im from england, and it wont work this time of year.

hal lite arnt any good either, there too hot, any pics of your last 2 indoor, grows, did you use the hal. lite for 12/12 too?.

KingOfBud said:

Sweet. Ive been waiting for somebody to do somthing like this. Ive always wanted to GG during the winter when bud is in short supply.

Click to expand...

so why havent you?.
by the way welcome to the site. what are you growing?.

I did not photo-document my last grow. I learned a great deal. Next time I try indoor, I will definitely make some changes:

1. Use mylar;
2. Use smaller grow containers (last was 5-gallon buckets);
3. Use floros for the veg phase and 400w for flowering;
4. Adjust the light to be as close to the leaves as possible without damaging the plant; and last but not least...
5. Keep Priscilla out of my grow room.

Interesting. I planted 20 bag seeds outdoors in November in Spain. I wanted to paractise germination methods and if I could I fimming. I have some nice little plants growing verrrrrrrrry slowly and some are ready to fim just about now. I figure if I can keep them alive and force them to veg then I will have some baby buds when I stop force vegging them out of season. Its all practise

Day 43: Temp 54 F/26 F. Squirrels destroyed four plants. What they did not destroy they damaged. The survivors are holding fast, but not growing much.



Tonight we get a pretty hard freeze, as low as 22 F. All plants under cover overnight, leaving only the volunteers to fend for themselves.

Three of the plants seem stunted. Remaining four look healthy, although not growing fast and some insect damage. I'm wondering if squirrel disruption is the cause. Maybe the winter sun (11 hours, 6 minutes visible daylight) is not enough to trigger vegetative growth.

Day 80: High 72 F/Low 66 F. The weather has been gorgeous. Ultimately, the squirrels destroyed the plants in containers. Many times I replanted an uprooted plant. Without a doubt, this activity had a negative affect on growth. I salvaged what plants I could following the last squirrel attack and planted them in a raised bed. If I'm lucky, five plants will survive the trauma.

In 13 years of gardening, I have never had critter trouble like I have experienced at this place. I've been here a little over a year and thought I knew the lay of the land. The little buggers dig up everything.

Squirrels won and I took the survivors inside to cycle through my inside system. Veg under MH and flower under HPS, both 400 watt. After males and hermies were culled, I was left with these five ladies which I transplanted into 3-gallon buckets and moved outside a month ago. Three are in full flower.