Overcast day vs Lights

[Teucer]

Quick question for you folk:

 

I'm growing indoor and am able to transplant my pots outside during the day in direct tropical summer sun. I do this whenever the sun's out and supplement with lights to make up my chosen 22/2 veg cycle.

 

Question - am I better taking the plants outdoors on OVERCAST days, or would you recommend leaving them under lights.

 

The aim is of course, to get the most amount of light possible.

 

Thanks in advance.

[nitram]

hi Teucer,

 

Question - am I better taking the plants outdoors on OVERCAST days, or would you recommend leaving them under lights.

 

The aim is of course, to get the most amount of light possible.

 

1) Overcast days provide decent light - in fact the UV that comes through is terefic As for moving you plants indoors then outdoors to maximise the light it depends on many varibles to acheve your stated aim.

 

a) is the effort woth it ?

 

is insect transmission likely to be a major problem - now or in the future ?

 

---- beware the borg ( Tetranynchus urticae Koch) outdoors -

 

If I were to choose one over the other it would depend on the lightring I used indoors. I would leave them either indoors or take them outdoors - one or the other -- just my personal choice.

 

If you have more than one plant why not spit the between the 2 or 3 differemt conditions (totally outdoor;indoors /outdoors & totally indoors).

 

Nitty.

-

[Teucer]

Nitram,

 

That's a great idea for an experiment. I'll do that next grow =).

 

As to whether insects are a problem - I don't think so. I live in an apartment high up and I can take my plants out on the balcony where they're not seen by anyone, the benefit being that I get access to sunlight. I doubt in these conditions, pests are a problem. Although I certainly keep a lookout!

 

Do we get spidermite in Oz? Specifcally QLD?

 

As to the effort involved in the move - I'm only growing for myself and use SOG - so it's not a big deal. If it was ScrOG, then I'm sure I'd have a big problem!

 

I grow under Aquarium fluro's (I know the deal with fluros and lighting guys - but I've done the research on the Aquarium fluros and tubes I've got - having said that, I do plan on updating in the future) and have had wonderful results.

 

Anyhoo, I'm off to take my girls (I HOPE they're girls) outside.

[Rose Gardener]

Do we get spidermite in Oz? Specifcally QLD?

 

Oh yes! We have those nasty lil shits in QLD, I know for a fact being in Brisbane and having just gotten rid of a bit of an infestion myself...

 

Now that everything is indoors (I start my seeds outside on account of the better light) I am not having any issues with pests.

 

I'm only using CFL's myself at the moment, and despite that, things are coming along nicely!

 

[Teucer]

Thanks Rose Gardener,

 

What spray do you use for Spider-mites? And quantity?

 

I know spidermites are as attracted to pot plants as a stoner to THC, so maybe I'll stick to keeping them insides. It's just that the sun we've been having lately (obviously not today!) is brilliant! Nice morning sun to the point it descends over those D'aigulars.

 

My goal is the most natural outdoorsy product I can get. Hence the desire for sunlight.

 

I live RIGHT ON the beach and that fact tends to drive a lot of the regular nasties away (mossies, midgies, etc). Not to mention being up high.

 

But now that I know we get those damn things, I'll need to keep a bottle of something on stand-by. Thanks for the update!

[Rose Gardener]

I started off with a spray of neem oil, diluted as per instructions. I might as well have just spit on them!

 

I did recently acquire a small bottle of Mite-Rid recently tho, it's got neem in it too but it's a higher percentage than the oil I bought.

 

Funny thing is tho, I've not had to use it, as I removed the two leaves of each plant that (only) seemed to be infected and I haven't noticed any more since...

 

Next time I have any spider mite issues, I will be using the Mite-Rid, but hopefully, there won't be a next time!

 

[Teucer]

Another question similar to the above for you folk:

 

My joint receives direct afternoon sun from about midday - sunset. Streams straight through the kitchen windows at such an angle that I can place ALL my plants in direct sunlight to give them the benefit of sun for half the day. The rest of the time they're under lights. I've got a number of windows in my kitchen which results in it being so full of light it's almost light being outside.

 

I cannot tell you how much the plants like the sun better than the lights, you can almost see them grow. It is afterall, late summer Queensland tropical sun.

 

Anyhow, I have just worked out that I can have my plants in the kitchen getting this light even when they're budding! This will significantly increase my result. Don't worry, noone can see IN to the kitchen.

 

My question is, if I had to shut the window (plain glass, it's NOT tinted) for any reason, do you think that would negatively affect the quality of sun my girls get? And if so, by much?

 

I don't BELIEVE it will, but truly I have no idea.

 

I just want to give them as much sun as possible!

[nici]

some of the colour spectrum will be deflected depending on the angle of the window to your plants but it wont be a problem Edited February 3, 2009 by nici