Newb First Outdoor Grow with pics. Advice requested.

[Auntynorm]

  On 07/03/2011 at 2:28 AM, djnova said:

Thanks guys i'm going out today to grab all of this nutes as mentioned.

Im aware the bigger the plant shall be if planted in the ground. But due to my local soil being well "shit", clay crap there was no way i wanted to attempt it not being in a pot.

That being said, am i now significantly restricted to what looks to be a 40cm plant?

Should i now at its stage, attempt to repot it in a bid to increase it size?

 

Also going back to a question i still haven't gotten much info about, this lighting 12h/12h scenario. Does this apply to strictly indoor plants? Is it something i will have to look into ie. Making a makeshift "nighttime blanket" so to speak for her?

 

Also a totally newb horticultural question, can i make a clone from my own plant to start another grow?

What ever you do, DON'T repot it now, it will more than likely just die. When you plant the seeds ONE repot only, then straight into their final position and do that quite early, 2-3 weeks of age. Or once you have 3-4 sets of leaves, you might also tip out the centre at this stage, better still plant directly into the final position. If you can find any old washing machine bowls, they work well, or 44 gallon drums cut in half are excellent I bought (splurged) on some lage clay pots from Bunnings, i.d. 42cm x h 38cm, downside they were $20 each, so I use them for minature fruit trees. Start work on your soil with lots of compost, clay breaker (gypsum), and lots of organic matter, straw, lawn clippings, manures, torn newspaper, etc and you will be suprised how rapidly this will give you a good rich soil structure. You could raise your beds to remove the clay problem entirely. Keep turning it over during winter and come next spring, yahoo...

Edited March 7, 2011 by auntynorm

[demistify]

Hey! New Guys! the Learning is in the Doing! So Keep Doing!

[djnova]

Thanks norm, I didn't think i should risk re-poting it now.

I'll look into the next one to be put into a much bigger pot then.

i'll get a start on the soil now then!

 

So would i need to move it more around to get more sun to enhance what ever growth (height wise) that its lacking?

[Auntynorm]

  On 08/03/2011 at 12:46 AM, djnova said:

Thanks norm, I didn't think i should risk re-poting it now.

I'll look into the next one to be put into a much bigger pot then.

i'll get a start on the soil now then!

 

So would i need to move it more around to get more sun to enhance what ever growth (height wise) that its lacking?

G'day DJ. Which direction does it face? I like an east facing aspect with a good view to the north. I don't think it matters much if the plants aren't getting full sun all day as long as they get the warmth. If you have a water tank you have a heat sink, real good place to put plants whether in pots or the ground. Photo period is another animal altogether. Out doors you get what you are given and we hope it's enough. When I use pots the potting mix I use is Richgrow from Bunnings. It's the cheapest one they have, I just add what I think it needs, compost, about 1/4 by volume, blood and bone, lime and potash and mulch the top with whatever is around, leaf mulch, pea straw, sugar cane to stop the roots getting burnt and to help retain moisture, this also adds organic matter to the soil, maybe chuck some worms in if you have them, an absolute bonus.

Edited March 8, 2011 by auntynorm

[IAMTHEMANOHYEAH]

When u said u gave it next to no water thats might have had somrthing to do with it being so small

[Auntynorm]

G'day DJ. IAM said he thought your plant was on the small side due to lack of water. This is possibly true as I keep mine damp at all times, and my potted ones are bigger, but make sure your drainage is spot on. They are like citrus trees or orchids, they don't like their roots being water logged. You can give 'em as much as you like but make sure of the drainage, vital. There are articles elsewhere on the site that will tell you all you need to know about cloning put there by people who know a lot more about it than I do. I have had a few goes at it with limited success. But I am not sure about when is the optimum time to get stuck in to cloning, have a look around.

[djnova]

Norm once again thanks.

I'll look into the cloning thing soon, trying to get on top of possibly relocating to a sunny/warmer spot.

And also i do manage to water it ever so slightly in comparison to my herbs. But my drainage may not be spot on so knowing this i dont over water.

thanks for the info have managed to feed it bit more since its flowering now, that combined with more water and sunny spot might increase its size r yield hopefully.

[Auntynorm]

  On 09/03/2011 at 12:14 PM, djnova said:

Norm once again thanks.

I'll look into the cloning thing soon, trying to get on top of possibly relocating to a sunny/warmer spot.

And also i do manage to water it ever so slightly in comparison to my herbs. But my drainage may not be spot on so knowing this i dont over water.

thanks for the info have managed to feed it bit more since its flowering now, that combined with more water and sunny spot might increase its size r yield hopefully.

It's a pleasure to help. The more we grow the better all round. And I truely LOVE growing pot. A very noble plant.

[djnova]

Hey Norm,

Ive tried pm'in you but i have insufficient posts to do that.

So am kinda reaching out to you or anyone who can give me any info.

Basically i read a thread and now i've been searching all over to find it again. Sadly i can't.

However it was stating and i'm sure it was your norm who suggested trimming fan leaves to help with warmth and sun light exposure to increase the size of the flower.

Also after reading alot on the cloning process would this "trimming" help get a clone from the cutting and expose the plant to more light?

Or is this now far to late given its already flowering?

Cheers

[Auntynorm]

G'day DJ. If you prune just take the largest leaves so it opens up the canopy to light and air, some of our mates here are getting some mould issues, this will help prevent this. Just check my post, Near the Shed, in this section. I'm afraid I'm not the one to talk to about cloning, haven't had a lot of luck with it, I don't know when to take them, some have been ok, most died. If you see something on a post you would like to try, then ask, these people here are a mine of info and don't mind sharing. Edited March 15, 2011 by auntynorm