Outdoor Outdoor UK, first time - journal & ref

[Somerset]

For super-autos I would look to get them out end of may with at least 5 sets of leaves, but if its regular autos you have much more time and they can go out as late as mid-august. Think about the life cycle of the plant, then drying time and work backwards. middle of the year is generally least humid which makes it the safest too (in terms of fungus etc.)

 

[oldster]

Nice looking girls you have there Somerset. Nice grow

 

[Balarama]

Wow, such beauty in those photos:gthumb:

A couple of thoughts about the dates, from my experience they realistically take 4-5 months in average outdoor conditions, if there is good sun exposition they can finish in 4.
If planted too late, they finish same time as photoperiods, so I think the best sprouting window is in mid april and finish in august when there's less humidity compared to sept-oct.

 

[maffro]

Balas the man!
Great growing Somerset your gonna have a nice stash for sure. If its possible give em a shake in the mornings and get the dew off em, should help with the mould a bit. And for next year dont count on sept being like this its a one in 50 autumn sunshine spectacular ! The last 5 have been well shit .
Good luck with the harvest

 

[Somerset]

I told myself that when I find my 5th mould spot, the plant will have to go as I believe fungal growth accelerates when it gets a hold. I found five and six at the same time yesterday and so hacked the girl!

This is what she looks like un- trimmed...



here she is (mostly) trimmed hanging in the shed.



There are two more girls still in the ground that need a bit more time... will be in touch!

 

[VELVETO]

Congrats for your nice harvest man

 

[Balarama]

Hi Somerset, I think it was way too early for harvest, but better this than nothing
I hope you'll like her:smoke:

 

[Somerset]

I agree Balarama, I reckon she could have run for at least another two weeks, but with so much mould appearing, it was now or risk losing it all. Smoke test was good though..

 

[Dr Who]

Congratulations on a job well done.

There's no sense now wondering how much bigger, fatter, and heavier it might have got, and the reality of outdoor growing means that the harvest can get a lot smaller very quickly if the mould kicks in.

I hope that it will turn out to be as good to smoke as it has been entertaining to follow its short life.

 

[Somerset]

Thanks Dr Who! I'm also keen to use the opportunity to explore some different curing methods. I'm really interested in fermenting the buds for a short time (a bit like a traditional African approach) which tends to make the herb a darker colour, but also a slightly sweeter smoke.

Anyone got any experience on how best to do this?

I think they need packing together in something dark and sealable (like a garbage bag) and leaving in the sun/somewhere warm for a few days/a week. They've been well trimmed and hanging in the shed for a few days so have already started the process of drying. I'm very aware that these conditions may promote mould growth but reckon, after a 5 days hanging and clean - these should be minimal - particularly if they are checked regularly and get up to a decent temperature.

PLEASE ADVISE!