UK Outdoor First Time Questions

[Devilman]

Hey all, Been planning to drop a few ladies outside this year but have a few questions I'd like to ask first, as I only have experience with indoor so far.

I first asumed that everyone must be using auto's in the UK due to the photoperiod but it seems this is not the case? Surely onset of flowering doesnt occur until sometime around late september ? Or are other methods undertaken to cover them up early to maintain a normal photoperiod?

I'm not really sure what are good strains for autos in the UK, nor a reliable (and safe) source for auto seeds, but I keep Mom's of several strains (not autos obviously) but not sure they will be any use outdoors due to the long day-period relative to temperature etc..

So if anyone can fill me in a bit on whether autos are the way to go or not, which strains etc.. or planting / harvesting schedules (For example, do you guys plant in may, get a harvest sometime in July and do a second run? or only 1 run, from may right through until september time?)


Thanks

 

[Kalbhairav]

Hey Devilman,

You don't have to use auto's if you would rather not. I've never used them and tend to favour early outdoor varieties. It is possible to use indoor hybrids but I would suggest choosing very wisely. Firstly something that can handle humid conditions and is resistant to bugs and other maladies. Secondly something that has a short flowering time. Hybrids from Hell by esbe are a good place to start looking if you would like to purchase varieties which are non auto or semi auto.

I've grown with some success indoor hybrids like for instance Mikado x NL#5 in the great british outdoors.

Also a good choice would be Biddy Early by Serious seeds. I've always had good experiences with her..

There's an awesome thread in the Outdoor Growers forum called UK Outdoor 2013. I'm sure someone there will be able to help you with any more questions you may have.

Best of luck.

 

[Devilman]

Hey Devilman,

You don't have to use auto's if you would rather not. I've never used them and tend to favour early outdoor varieties. It is possible to use indoor hybrids but I would suggest choosing very wisely. Firstly something that can handle humid conditions and is resistant to bugs and other maladies. Secondly something that has a short flowering time. Hybrids from Hell by esbe are a good place to start looking if you would like to purchase varieties which are non auto or semi auto.

I've grown with some success indoor hybrids like for instance Mikado x NL#5 in the great british outdoors.

Also a good choice would be Biddy Early by Serious seeds. I've always had good experiences with her..

There's an awesome thread in the Outdoor Growers forum called UK Outdoor 2013. I'm sure someone there will be able to help you with any more questions you may have.

Best of luck.

Thanks for the reply, So if you don't use auto's do you have to cover them up earlier at night to keep the light cycle correct? Or do you just allow onset of flowering to occur naturally and if so, does that not mean you don't start flowering until late august?

I have been reading through the UK outdoor 2013 thread, but didn't want to clutter it up with relatively "noob" outdoor questions as it seemed to be more of a discussion of strains being grown and a bit of a "grow log" for some of our green-fingered outdoor types

 

[buddymate]

a good choice would be Biddy Early by Serious seeds.

Yup,good strain,had some decent crops with her,got some of the feminised biddy from Gerrit years ago as testers,did really well.

 

[Devilman]

Yup,good strain,had some decent crops with her,got some of the feminised biddy from Gerrit years ago as testers,did really well.

Auto or normal photoperiod? Any info on when you first planted, how long they vegged before they started flowering and how long they flowered?

Any tips on "safe" outlets to get them from, maybe paranoid but I'm guessing most post from seed vendors gets pretty close scrutiny?

 

[Kalbhairav]

Thanks for the reply, So if you don't use auto's do you have to cover them up earlier at night to keep the light cycle correct? Or do you just allow onset of flowering to occur naturally and if so, does that not mean you don't start flowering until late august?

I have been reading through the UK outdoor 2013 thread, but didn't want to clutter it up with relatively "noob" outdoor questions as it seemed to be more of a discussion of strains being grown and a bit of a "grow log" for some of our green-fingered outdoor types

I've never really been sophisticated enough with my outdoor operation to cover up my plants so they flower faster. In fact I've never needed to. If you research into your particular environment you should be able to pick decent varieties that will suit you. If you choose non-auto early flowering varieties then you can plant in May or earlier/later depending if the weather has warmed up, and if the variety your growing is sativa, indica or a mix. You have to also think about location if your not in the middle of no-where.

Auto or normal photoperiod? Any info on when you first planted, how long they vegged before they started flowering and how long they flowered?

Any tips on "safe" outlets to get them from, maybe paranoid but I'm guessing most post from seed vendors gets pretty close scrutiny?

Biddy Early is a non auto but if you may find some semi auto traits if you grew them out. I've planted Biddy as late as June with good results. It all depends on how big you want them to get. Non-auto varieties will veg as long as they can until they snap into flower because of longer dark periods. There is no way of telling exactly when since every single plant (unless growing femmed) will probably flower earlier or later than its sisters; every plant is different. If you want to know more about Biddy then search for grows to get a more solid idea how it is going to grow for you.

As for buying seeds that's up to you. I would just go for it and use some common sense..

Best of luck