Well, I'm real new to this but I started 1 plant inside, pure afghan, and planted outside when it was about 1 1/2 feet tall, the beginning of August. I grew up to 4 feet, but has been really slow. I was able to sex it late August but even now, it is slow slow slow. Maybe we don't get enough sun where we are, or maybe the colder temps in the evenings are slowing things down. Next year I'm going to start earlier and get the plants out earlier as well. I picked up a small green house and am going try and nurse her to the finish. I did bring her inside for a couple of nights due to frost though. Good luck....I need it too.