When is the earliest I can start seedlings outdoor without artificial lighting in northern california in my greenhouse? I want to pop them in my greenhouse April 1st without using artificial lighting since I live of grid and don't want run lights every night since I'm not there every night. Can't find a clear answer anywhere so now I'm here. I always grow clones every year and don't put them out till end of may. First year growing seedlings. Thank you
When is the earliest I can start seedlings outdoor without artificial lighting in northern californ
- Thread starter tywest84
- Start date
kratos015
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure the exact daylight hours you get up there, but I'm also on the west coast and will be starting seeds as soon as I get them for my outdoor (within a week). Unless you have pest, excessive winds, or frost/weather issues to worry about then you'll be fine. Especially if they have a protected environment, like a greenhouse.
It's preferable to start them outdoors so they're immediately acclimated to the light cycle outdoors. Starting them inside under even an 18/6 cycle, then putting them out into a 13-14 hour cycle runs the risk of them prematurely flowering, revegging, then flowering again and that is sure to ruin your year. If you have no choice but to start them indoors, then be sure to acclimate your 18/6 or 24/0 timer as close to the outdoor cycle as possible as gradually as possible. This will ensure you run into any issues with premature flowering.
Rob Roy
Well-Known Member
You might want to keep in mind not every strain has the same response when it comes to hours of darkness needed before it starts flowering.
So the answer for one grower with strain A , may not be the same as for another grower with strain B. etc.
As an aside, you might consider using some cheap solar flood lights on some to see if that will decrease the dark period enough until the natural light cycle is more favorable.
Good luck.
So the answer for one grower with strain A , may not be the same as for another grower with strain B. etc.
As an aside, you might consider using some cheap solar flood lights on some to see if that will decrease the dark period enough until the natural light cycle is more favorable.
Good luck.
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waterproof808
Well-Known Member
Wonderland nursery puts out a calendar every year that shows recommended planting times for both deps and full term in Nor Cal
I am in So. Cal at 33 degrees. I started this run back in early January indoors. I flipped 8 days ago. I have been putting them outside when it doesn't rain. They have really started growing, I think it is stretch. Since daylight is now less than 12 hours I think I will do fine.
I am hoping for a harvest in mid May. I am making a second run probably starting in mid April and will let them run until harvest maybe in Oct or Nov. So Cal is great for this.
I am hoping for a harvest in mid May. I am making a second run probably starting in mid April and will let them run until harvest maybe in Oct or Nov. So Cal is great for this.
TintEastwood
Well-Known Member
I regret starting too soon....
These were started in March 2017 from seed.
Small orchard almost got me busted. Lol
These were started in March 2017 from seed.
Small orchard almost got me busted. Lol
seaofgreen420
Active Member
Lmao!! Niiiiice looking girls there
Did you use in supplemental lighting to keep them in veg?
TintEastwood
Well-Known Member
Half of them went thru complete reveg. It was ugly. But an experience.
Buss Relville
Well-Known Member
generally safe to plant after spring equinox
i see lots of people popping seeds earlier in march though.
I think mid march is fair. any hybrid flowering early when popped in march is garbage anyway, imo
i see lots of people popping seeds earlier in march though.
I think mid march is fair. any hybrid flowering early when popped in march is garbage anyway, imo
Thx bro
Krytend
Well-Known Member
I agree after the equinox or April first if you want to be 100%. I started some beans last year on March 23'rd and a few did reveg although I'm in a different area.
