I have ten White Widow and five OG Kush seeds that I got from Robert. I’d like to give them the opportunity to get as large as possible (duh).
I’m lucky to live in Colorado, except for the short season: At my elevation, there are about 120 days between frosts. The last one can be as late as June 1, so that’s my transplant date; the spring equinox is March 17 at this latitude (40th parallel). I don’t have a greenhouse, and very limited space indoors (the bottom 4’ of a 3’x4’ rectangular closet). I plan on using el-cheapo 4’ fluorescent bulbs in it.
I see the limitations as the closet floor dimensions (12 sq. ft.), the ceiling height of my starter space (4’) and the amount of time before the plants become root-bound in the chosen pots. So, count backwards from either a 3.5’ maximum plant height or a near-root-bound-condition on June 1-- whichever will occur first. The latter should depend mostly on the size of the pot, I guess.
My questions: 1) What size pots should I start the seeds in (I’d rather only transplant them once), and 2) when should I start them-- so they’ll be as large as possible on June 1?
Apologies. I know this sounds like the old math-class story problem…
I understand your dilemma, mine kinda also, but that’s at harvest, I would try at least a three gallon size pot, start them in something small like a 4 inch diameter pot or Red beer cup,( I use everything yogurt containers etc.) then transplant them after about three weeks into the larger 3 gal pot, that will keep them safe enough to bring outside and plant directly into the ground into amended soil, they Will grow Big this way, this is what I did for one White Widow last summer, It grew 5ft 8in. tall . I grew a bunch more of others but kept the crop small for personal reasons and learning experience.
This spring my plants will be started exactly this way and I’m going for Very Large plants, Treez !!!
Yep I’m with majiktoker. No time like the present. I’m DownEast Maine. Winter is our longest season so and indoor space is limited so I let them get root-bound in gallons before I get them in the ground in late May. They go crazy once they get released after hardening off and getting transplanted into roomy holes in the ground.
This season I started everything I received from Robert about a 2 weeks ago in a 4.5’lx4.5’wx6’h mini greenhouse in my cellar with a twin bulb 4’ T5 “office” light. They’re doing great. I started the 85 day Pineapple Haze a couple weeks earlier than the rest of them.
Thanks, guys-- both FT and W. I guess getting a little root-bound isn’t the deadly evil it’s said to be. It would be much easier to carry and transplant a 1-gallon potted plant than a 3-gallon one… Maybe I need to create a place in the house with a little more vertical space.
Thanks for the advice! 5’8" is good! However, I don’t understand the need to start in a small pot/cup. Why not begin in a 1-3 gallon pot and use a dome over the seedling? That way, there’s no transplant shock until May. Majiktoker said something about overwatering, but why should that happen (unless I’m not careful)?
You can give it a try if you like (large pot start), Its easier to keep the soil consistently moist in a smaller pot and also to keep the roots from traveling all over the place, there are many thoughts on this.
Transplant is easy from a small pot and any shock is minimal. I"ve totally beat up my weed before a transplant and it did Very well.
@Milehigh Transplanting is so easy especially if you use a red solo cup I’ve done it with my autos I’ve done it with my normal seeds I would recommend starting them in a solo cup and cut about 12 holes in the bottom what kind of medium do you plan on using (soil) and the smart pots the 3 gallon and 5 gallon or perfect never had any issues with root bound
You can start your seedlings in those pots made from peat moss or something, they break apart after a while so all you need to do when putting in a final container is break them up with your fingers a little…I do this with all my vegetable starts…
Just a thought I am sharing…
I’m in the same boat in Massachusetts – started the seedlings last week but totally underestimated the amount of light and heat I would need to add to the warm, sunny spot I gave them. I lost two seedlings before I could upgrade my light! Hoping I’m back on track and I can keep the ladies alive and happy until it warms up outside.
Thanks to Ragnar and Lia for your responses. The peat cups look like a great idea-- unlike those Jiffy fabric-sided things that never dissolve and strangle your seedlings…
Lia, keep the temp between 70 and 80 degrees for those new seedlings…
Yep, thanks – I germinated them on the radiator. Now I have a space heater with a thermostat in their space. Toasty inside, snow outside. Hoping the weather looks good to get them outside in April for a nice long season in the sun.
I live and las vegas Nevada and stay really close to the mountains. I want to plant my strawberry kush seeds and the ground. Before it get to hot do think i still should use some soil and fertilizer to help grow my seeds
