Outdoor Outdoor UK, first time - journal & ref

[pop22]

Hi everyone,
In the interests of balance I wanted to post about my first time growing outdoor here in UK. There are loads of threads from the USA (hi guys - jealous of your sunlight!) but there seems to be a bit less from here. To put you in the picture- its my first time growing ever so I am a total nube, although I have a degree in Horticulture and consider myself pretty green fingered. I'm confident I can produce some lovely plants. I plant to use this thread as a journal but also as a reference for other first timers in UK who might want to grow some goodness outside.

As a smoker, I don't like strong skunk - I much prefer a good natural high from well grown weed such as Thai Stick (or similar) smoked neat. I don't smoke tobacco (ever) so don't roll joints, I use a pipe and like the massive hit - so weed that is naturally strong (not artificially super charged!) suits me fine and thats what I aim to grow. I love a massive cerebral high over a heavy body mong.

I have germinated some Auto Blue Himalaya (an indica dominant strain, afghan kush x blueberry) and some Yeti (indica/sativa 50/50, AK47/Hindu Kush/Amensia -a new strain from Dope-Seeds) - all female (I think!) and all of whom are racing towards the sun displaying classic (and awesome) hybrid vigour. They were germinated using wet paper and were are potted into 9cm pots using John Innes seed compost (although there are 3 ABH in a 1litre pot). The weather thus far has been really good - sun nearly every day (out at 7.30am - in at 9pm) and they are overnighted in an unheated conservatory. My plan is to take the strongest 3 or 4 plants, integrate them into my garden and will give a few plants away and or even risk a few out guerrilla style. So far so good.

For what its worth, my reasons to grow are that I like to use weed occasionally to help steer my creativity (I work professionally in the creative industry and I certainly don't smoke every day -more like once a week if I have any.) I'm not interested in supplying it (although I'm happy to share a smoke with anyone) but I want to be able to have weed without having to put money into the hands of organised criminals who may (or may not) be involved with other more nefarious activities. I also want to know exactly what I'm smoking.

I'm sure I'll need some help - with regards to harvest/ripeness and also curing, but thats what this wonderful place is for - right? To share our collective experience/knowledge.

Here are some photos - these were taken yesterday, ABH is day 9 and the Y is day 4.

View attachment 360517View attachment 360518View attachment 360519View attachment 360520.

Looks like you have a nice garden started! :Sharing One:

 

[Banana]

Ha - brilliant. Can I ask -why day 22 for planting out? Is it just that they were at the right size etc? Is there a recommended stage (if so, why?) I was planning to plant mine out when the stems are woody enough to fend off slug attacks and assumed that would be at about 6"+.
With regards to the planting out - the plan currently is to empty the compost bin (which is ready) into a massive tub and blend it with some shop bought potting compost and bone meal and use that as the growing medium. I'll water them in thoroughly and may even mulch them if I go away for a while.

Everything I read said to transplant at between 2 and 4 weeks. But I decided to do it on Sunday cos they were all about 8 inches tall, looked vigorous and healthy and had three sets of leaf nodes, so applying non canna gardening experience my nose said to put them in the ground. Checked on them about 2 hours ago and everyone looks happy.

Dont forget to add perlite to your mix.

As a rule of thumb, I read a lot and know all the "rules", but I am an intuitive gardener and find that my plants respond better when I am paying attention to what they are doing rather than what the rule book says to do next.

 

[Somerset]

I'm totally into the intuitive approach (it applies to everything I do) and thats what give me confidence, particularly in reference to growing - I understand plants needs (on the whole.)
I wasn't planning to add perlite because the bed I want to put them in is full sun all day and its nearly always too dry for most plants. Do you use it to aid drainage? Is it a must for weed? I noticed Bananafarts (any relation?!) used a 50/50 soil/perlite mix (and he got good yield) so maybe I should consider it...

 

[epenguin]

Welcome Somerset, lovely area! Yes, more outdoor UK'ers. Bring it on. I have had my photo strains on the go for a while now, the darn things are like tryphids!

All the best you geurillas , eP

 

[Banana]

I'm totally into the intuitive approach (it applies to everything I do) and thats what give me confidence, particularly in reference to growing - I understand plants needs (on the whole.)
I wasn't planning to add perlite because the bed I want to put them in is full sun all day and its nearly always too dry for most plants. Do you use it to aid drainage? Is it a must for weed? I noticed Bananafarts (any relation?!) used a 50/50 soil/perlite mix (and he got good yield) so maybe I should consider it...

Marijuana is a weed which prefers an arid and well draining soil. Obviously we want outrageous bud yields so we ignore some of those rules. But the roots don't do well if they are labouring to push through compacted soil. Next season, I am going to try sand instead of perlite on one plant in the ground to see what happens, but for now. I need a good harvest, so I am going to do what the growers with good form and major harvests behind them do which is at least 25% perlite.

bananafarts is not a relly! and I am quite offended as I do not fart

 

[epenguin]

bananafarts is not a relly! and I am quite offended as I do not fart

That's not what I heard. The bloody ground shakes !!!

 

[Banana]

Cheeky nutter of a penguin

 

[automan]

Great start Somerset, i will be watching this very closely as i am very interested in the auto yeti. I hope the sunshine continues!

 

[Somerset]

I gave my babies some nutrients today - I crushed up a pinch of Growmore (7-7-7) and mixed it with a pinch of crushed bonemeal then sprinkled it on the surface (you should just about see a light powder on the surface.) They're looking great and the day 6 Yeti (last photo) is fast catching up with the day 11 Auto Blue Himalaya (1st three pics). Next feed in a week or so, will be heavier on the Nitrogen I think.
I started preparing the ground where I want to plant them out - its full of roots and weeds at the moment that I started clearing. I also lightly sprinkled some wood ash on the surface of the soil as a basic improver there as some rain is due soon and i thought it would be good to wash it in and help condition the patch.
By the way - the only water I use on them is rainwater collected from the roof via barrel. I know mineral salts can build up in the soil if you use tap water regularly so I tend to steer clear of it!

 

[Dr Who]

I reckon that the best time for planting out/potting up is probably about as soon as they show sex. This usually signals the start of the rapid growth stage. I usually find that this is around when it is forming its 5th set of true leaves. I'm not sure if this would apply to all varieties, but it seems to apply pretty generally for those that I've grown.