"I was mainly thinking this after last year's very bad start
-- almost all the seeds germed, but then never popped above ground."
If they get out of the gate with no problems are you going to be able to keep up with potentially large plants?
I'm thinking that because they'll be outside under a rather cloud sky,
and with only 13hr light per day, and in 2+ Gal = 10 L pots,
they won't get super massive anyway.
Heavy yield genetics + not ideal circumstances = average yield.
"Maybe I have a light hand, because my transplants seldom if ever have any problems."
The "problem" with autos I find is finding the perfect timing for a transplant. I too have had success but too early(shifting dirt from not enough roots), or too late(root restriction) and the autos wont be optimal. Root restriction has a big impact on final size I have found with autos(check the dragon meds for my thread with some recent examples of stunted plants form root restriction). Check my guide and have another look at the insta transplant pots. Work well and simple to make. I was able to run my autoultimate maximus in 6"X6" X8" deep insta-transplant pots for 24 days and she grew up to be a champ 9 oz plant.
I think I've got a handle on the right time to transplant.
You're right -- between not enough roots where the soil falls apart,
and already root bound, it's a happy medium point.
As above, things won't be ideal,
but I'm not aiming for 100g/ plant yield.
Even an oz per plant will be more than expected!
I'm going to have to transplant at some point.
That's because up to day 20 they're going to move a bit between under the LED and on the balcony.
So, don't want to have to move 10 or so 2+ Gal pots around several times a day.
I have a nice tray that I can fit maybe 8+ 1 L pots in, so just pick up the whole tray and move it.
And also if they have problems when small, I don't need to have a large pot to deal with.
Totally understand...my starting cabinet is small and I need to do the same. I found above to work well.
Yeah, just last time's indoor to outdoor process,
but with the LED I hope that they can grow a bit better when young,
because outside they'll get less good quality light than the last batch in Aug.
According to the climate / weather stats, all the way from March through June is about 80%+.
Sounds very bad, but... didn't have any mold issues last year even during monsoon!!!!
(The only problem was harvesting when still wet,
but I already have a solution for that if it comes down to it.
Key point is, I'm harvesting before monsoon.)
You must get lucky on strain choice!! Damn I had 70%rh and dealt with mold on 3 of 4 auto strains I did last season.
The buds don't get that huge in the first place.
Plus, I'm sure I'm no where near your cool / cold temps here.
While the strains I picked are all possible monster plants,
because it's a guerilla grow and most of the time light hours are 12-13.5 hr / day,
I think that they'll stay relatively small(ish).
So, huge genetics in this situation should still lead to okay results.
That's my thinking.......
I grow in two locations...one I get full sun and the plants are massive. The second location I call the "test garden". This location only gets 8 hours of sun and tapers down to less than 6 by harvest. I dig 4'X4' holes for each plant(photos) about 2 feet deep. Despite the limited sun they get pretty big, my record for location was last year with a 20+ foot outer perimeter almost 5 feet tall fruity chronic juice by delicious seeds which pulled me 21oz.
I've been reading your garden description.
But you have a cultivated garden,
I'm in smallish pots guerilla style.
4'x4'x2' = ... 280 Liters!
I'm doing about 10 L. Hahahaha!!!!
You get 21 oz, maybe I'll get 1 oz!
LST or Fimming or Topping....????
This is also a good question, but may wait until they get going.
Maybe some nice LST work, as I've been practicing on my mint plants!
Top / Fim some and leave the rest, making a learning comparison
OH ice storm...power flicker...got to run...will finish later
Ice storm. We don't get ice here on the coldest day of the century.
Thanks as every, gro bro
@912GreenSkell !
Still have a few weeks to prepare before germination!!!!
Love and hugs,
MJS
