First time poster, not yet a grower. I’m grateful that there are forums here to reach out to – hello y’all!
I’m in Southwest Florida and we are entering into the cooler months (although rarely freezing). If this a good time to start germinating or should I wait until next year?
I bought SuperSkunk Autoflower seeds last year and then time just got away from me. Planning on using a barrel on wheels to plant in should there be any inclement weather.
I’d welcome any advice and recommendations from those of you in my area. Thanks in advance!
It’s auto season here. The time of year the heat, humidity and temps fall in line. That starts 2nd wk September-May. If you don’t have your last harvest in by May, then the rain, heat… will give you bud rot. I’d plant now. You may have to cover it a couple times around January. Start inside, if possible, this late in the season.
Thank You! My husband and I actually have a “Plan B” should we need to hide from the occasional colder temps that we sometimes get. I will start a couple seeds today since I’m way behind!
I’m as green as it gets when it comes to this stuff, but that’s a good thing, right? Hehe.
Thanks again!
One plants for outdoors generally in the spring. Its Winter now and even though you are in South Florida with warmer Winters the DLI in Winter is not great for any plant even autoflowers.
Get a farmers almanac and study it some as it has alot of great info. Figure out what zone you live in and the planting dates for that zone.
We’ve been living in SWFL since 2013. We got used to putting rollers on all of the barrels/pots for hurricanes and the occasional frost. We don’t have any real “nosy parkers” over here either, which is nice. Everyone is like-minded waiting for the state to catch up
Its not the temps its the DLI. I dont have to live in south Florida to know that. Can ya grow a plant in winter, sure. Will it be anywhere close to its maximum potential under less light and low temps? No.
The best advice i can give the op is to save those expensive seeds for warmer weather and maximum potential.
Please explain this low dli during winter in southern Florida?
With intensity of sunlight it typically only takes about 10 hours per day to hit ideal dli. Then you have to consider the days in southern Florida are never really all that long due to the geographical location to the equator. After considering all of that, this member is talking about growing an auto. While maybe not the most ideal time to grow, if frost/temps aren’t an issue there is plenty of opportunity to turn a $10-$20 seed into several hundred dollars worth of bud.
You basically cover it above. We don’t need to confuse new members and growers. Thanks @dbrn32 The key takeaway. It comes down to only time year that the heat, humidity, daily rain, bugs, hurricanes, etc doesn’t you. Then you loose most to bud rot. Some better than none “greenthumbs”
Summers here are intense, so you also get loose buds. Similar to how a landrace grows. Because of all the heat and the humidity combined with constant rain, they tend to naturally grow looser to allow more airflow between buds further, reducing the chance of rot.
While I can appreciate the recommendation to hold off due to the precious nature of these seeds, I need to start somewhere Even if I louse up this particular round (gonna start with maybe 2), I will definitely learn from it and eventually learn all this “hip lingo.” LOL
I’d drop another round in February as well. Spring is usually poking around then, and it’s the last Auto drop of the season. Should come due before all the rains and return to higher humidity.
then. I know nothing. 
you. Then you loose most to bud rot. Some better than none “greenthumbs”
Even if I louse up this particular round (gonna start with maybe 2), I will definitely learn from it and eventually learn all this “hip lingo.” LOL