Photoperiod question

zenmackie

New Member
What happens if you start a photoperiod plant outdoors before its designated time? Newbie that I am, I transplanted a couple of them directly into the ground as soon as the danger of frost was passed (mistakenly thinking that they were autoflowering). Judging by the seed info they probably shouldn't have been started until July if they were supposed to mature in September.

Does this mean that they won't flower at all, or will they just keep growing until the proper time? Any advice will be appreciated.
 

Viceman666

Well-Known Member
What happens if you start a photoperiod plant outdoors before its designated time? Newbie that I am, I transplanted a couple of them directly into the ground as soon as the danger of frost was passed (mistakenly thinking that they were autoflowering). Judging by the seed info they probably shouldn't have been started until July if they were supposed to mature in September.

Does this mean that they won't flower at all, or will they just keep growing until the proper time? Any advice will be appreciated.
IMO the risk is that they start flowering "now" due to reduce hours of light at this time of year (but obviously depends on your area) I think ive seen a post or two of people in similar situation as you on this forum.. so if plant think its time to flower it will do it.. then when there is more sun towards summer it will try to reveg I guess it could impact yield and quality.. but I assume each situation can be different..
 

zenmackie

New Member
IMO the risk is that they start flowering "now" due to reduce hours of light at this time of year (but obviously depends on your area) I think ive seen a post or two of people in similar situation as you on this forum.. so if plant think its time to flower it will do it.. then when there is more sun towards summer it will try to reveg I guess it could impact yield and quality.. but I assume each situation can be different..
Thanks. The plants are just a few weeks old so maybe they'll do okay, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
 

charface

Well-Known Member
Yep, if out too soon they will start the flower process then revert to veg then back to flower
It wastes precious time for both and you will have to correct the odd new growth via pruning/training.

I have done it myself and always ended up yielding something but certainly didn't reach the potential.
 

Roger A. Shrubber

Well-Known Member
check out an online calendar that gives you the length of day, if you aren't going to have days longer than 13 hours soon, i'd dig them up and bring them back in till you do. alternatively, if you have them someplace where it won't be obvious, you could light them for an hour in the middle of the night till the days get long enough. easy in a green house environment, probably not so easy in a guerilla patch
 

charface

Well-Known Member
Within the next few days im stringing these outdoor lights on a makeshift bamboo or rebar support so I can stop moving mine in n out.

That way I can get the roots established in the larger pots before the prime weather hits.
IMG_20180509_104203.jpg
 

zenmackie

New Member
Yep, if out too soon they will start the flower process then revert to veg then back to flower
It wastes precious time for both and you will have to correct the odd new growth via pruning/training.

I have done it myself and always ended up yielding something but certainly didn't reach the potential.
It's just two plants so I'm not going to stress out over the situation much but tell me, if you would: when you pruned the plants was it just after the premature flowering? What needed to be pruned?
 

zenmackie

New Member
check out an online calendar that gives you the length of day, if you aren't going to have days longer than 13 hours soon, i'd dig them up and bring them back in till you do. alternatively, if you have them someplace where it won't be obvious, you could light them for an hour in the middle of the night till the days get long enough. easy in a green house environment, probably not so easy in a guerilla patch
The calendar is a good idea, thanks. I'm in the U.S. midwest so the days are probably long enough. And it's only two plants, so not a big deal.
 

Viceman666

Well-Known Member
It's just two plants so I'm not going to stress out over the situation much but tell me, if you would: when you pruned the plants was it just after the premature flowering? What needed to be pruned?
As mentionned in the post just above if you have any way to give them light during night time will be your best bet to avoid them going into flower mode.. doesnt have to be a lot of light.. maybe even a set of christmas light that you couls use?That will save you a lot of potential issue and reduced growth thats my 2 cents
 

charface

Well-Known Member
It's just two plants so I'm not going to stress out over the situation much but tell me, if you would: when you pruned the plants was it just after the premature flowering? What needed to be pruned?
I wait until it has started to fully veg again. You are going to see exactly what needs to be done then.
If you have questions post pics then.

In general it depends on how bad the original problem was.

You will know its back to veg when the twisted leaves stop and regular looking growth has started again

Basicly you will be pruning retarded looking growth n weak branches
 

charface

Well-Known Member
Lol, it looks goofy but its just materials i had around. Super simple and I can make it as large or small as I want.
IMG_20180509_144719.jpg
Now if you will esquzz me its tea time
IMG_20180509_145252.jpg
 

gwheels

Well-Known Member
Lol, it looks goofy but its just materials i had around. Super simple and I can make it as large or small as I want.
View attachment 4133541
Now if you will esquzz me its tea time
View attachment 4133544
Looks better than any Christmas in July I have ever seen. I am glad you brought this up i never thought of the shortness of light on the front end. I start mine in a grow box and move them out but I will way to the traditional May 24 eh. Queen Victoria was good for something !!!
 
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