Advice on growing in the Valley of the Sun

[Aber4187]

I would really like some advice from anyone experienced in growing in the intense desert heat. I have two plants about 3 weeks old.

They have been grown indoors under a veg only grow light. I am ready to begin transitioning them outside in auto watering buckets.

What type of schedule did you use to transition the plants into the heat?

Should I build a shade to protect them?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[NickDanger3rdEye]

(Qualifying statement: I am no expert with autos and have completed 5 grows). I just completed two grows outside. Both started inside a tent in Solo cups then transplanted. One went outside at day 10 the other stayed inside until about 3 weeks ago then I put it outside. The temps are just too hot and the humidity too low. I moved the plants from full sun all day to an area where they received sun until about 2pm and then shade for the rest of the day. The plant that started outside did ok though it was stunted and the plant that was started in the tent just didn't do all that good. I think I screwed them up by top dressing with a questionable amendment. Also they went a bit longer than my previous indoor grows. Indoors about 9 weeks and outside almost 12 weeks. They looked like they were about to die so I cut them. In Aridzona I think one would need to wait until the fall to start an outdoor grow when the temps are quite a bit lower. 115º won't cut it. I think late winter into spring would be good as well. For me, growing autos outside in the summer here is no go.

 

[Proph]

I would really like some advice from anyone experienced in growing in the intense desert heat. I have two plants about 3 weeks old.

They have been grown indoors under a veg only grow light. I am ready to begin transitioning them outside in auto watering buckets.

What type of schedule did you use to transition the plants into the heat?

Should I build a shade to protect them?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

If you mean Az, then you have about 3-4 months before outdoor growing temps come back around. Not many things grow well in 110 degree heat and 15% humidity.

 

[BII]

Could you perhaps cover them within a clear plastic tent or something similar with a simple evaporative/misting-type cooling fan system, such as often sold as fake 'air conditioners?' [But with cooling done by evaporation, I presume a lot of water could be consumed, which could be a problem in a desert environment].