New Grower, Gifted a Clone, Potted Outdoor - need advice, thanks!

[Annaresti]

Hello,

First off, Thank you for being a forum that is welcoming of noobs.

I am seeking the collective wisdom as I have planted a clone in a fabric pot, outdoor. I was gifted the clone - so i'm not sure how old it was when I got it. I planted it in the pot on June 20 and let it get used to outdoors, now it looks pretty happy. As a fan of cali-green on youtube, I'm trying to do living organics.

It looks like it might have been topped once or twice while it was a clone, but I can't tell. It's doing well and I think I have a good grasp on watering and feeding (but I'm not sure). I'm not expecting any mind blowing results, but I hope to keep it alive and get some flower.

I don't know what to do in terms of pruning or topping - or really anything.

I've been using neem oil once a week and ran out of B.T so I need to get some more to do that once a week (Unless people advise spinosad?) My water when it gets dry every 2-3 days, depending on the heat, try not to allow runoff. Spray it once in a while with see weed extract. Watered with compost tea twice now. I'm in northern California.

This strain is called "Rank Bull" which i've never heard of (Maybe a big bull cross?)

Please check photo. Any advice that you think will be helpful is most welcome. Sorry i'm all over the place.

- Annaresti

 

[Annaresti]

Oldest leaves will be the first to get used up by the plant and fall off.
Have you been feeding? If so what's in your feed?
If not, might be time for some additional food

When I planted, I used potting soil mixed in with several kinds of organic fertilizer. Since the start, i've been trying to do worm tea and foliar sprays etc. I'll try a tea, vermistera tea + Microlife tea has some readily available nutrients, so I'll include that. But i might get some General Hydroponics Flora to have on hand in case. Thanks!

 

[MiGrampa]

When I planted, I used potting soil mixed in with several kinds of organic fertilizer. Since the start, i've been trying to do worm tea and foliar sprays etc. I'll try a tea, vermistera tea + Microlife tea has some readily available nutrients, so I'll include that. But i might get some General Hydroponics Flora to have on hand in case. Thanks!

I mentioned GH flora series because its reasonably priced and because I have had excellent results from the product. My grows have become more of a hybrid cross between organic gardening and "salts based." What I mean by that is I mix everything up like you did in advance, but here's the most important part of it ... I allow the mix to "cook." One of the all time best soil mix recipe comes from "SubCool," (You can find it here: https://budbuilders.org/threads/subcool-super-soil-mix.164/) but it takes about a month for it to become active. I also start regular feeding with GH flora at the first sign of nutrient issues. In my area it's running from around $9 to $13 a quart depending on which bottle you're purchasing.

I'm going to guess that even though your choices in Organic Amendments were spot on but with the clone being a gift, your soil mix didn't have the chance to cook. I chose the product "Recharge" by a company called "Real Growers" (https://www.realgrowers.com/product/recharge/) because the microbes in the mix were specifically chosen to act in symbiosis with the plant root system and to aid in nutrition uptake by the plant. It's not the only method to achieve this, and its not the only product on the market that reacts with the plant in this way. It's just the one I like the best. I always keep some in my "grower's toolbox". I'm sure other growers will chime in with what they have used and what works for them.

 

[Annaresti]

I couldn't tell if the new leaves look deficient, or if they're just fresh and have this lighter green color when they're babies. I'm a noob, but that could confirm the nitrogen deficiency, right?

 

[steamroller]

New leaves come in like that.
No problem there from what I see.

 

[Annaresti]

If I take clones before she starts flowering, is the only option for me to grow indoor with those, given the month? Is there a way for me to take a few and keep them around until I know if I like the strain or not?

 

[steamroller]

A clone left to cycle/flower can be revegged later.
It is not always the prettiest or fastest but some harvest and reveg the very same plant for repeated grows.
I like to keep my clones in veg until I want to flower them. It is just easier if you have the space/place for them.
A little 2x4 tent is perfect for vegging. I would want bigger if I was flowering in it.

 

[MiGrampa]

You can clone your clone. I would be concerned about moving an outdoor plant indoors though. It doesn't mean it can't be done. It means there's risks involved in what you might be bringing indoors (pests) from the outside.

 

[Annaresti]

You can clone your clone. I would be concerned about moving an outdoor plant indoors though. It doesn't mean it can't be done. It means there's risks involved in what you might be bringing indoors (pests) from the outside.

Thanks. I mostly needed to clean up afew branches that were crowding and hate to toss them into the compost when i know they can clone.

I really want to get into indoor grows, but it's a whole new rabbit hole!

 

[Annaresti]

A clone left to cycle/flower can be revegged later.
It is not always the prettiest or fastest but some harvest and reveg the very same plant for repeated grows.
I like to keep my clones in veg until I want to flower them. It is just easier if you have the space/place for them.
A little 2x4 tent is perfect for vegging. I would want bigger if I was flowering in it.

Thanks. I'm thinking about getting a tent. Do folks sell old equipment here?

 

[GoodShit97]

Thanks. I'm thinking about getting a tent. Do folks sell old equipment here?

Some of us do, the problem is shipping rates have gotten sooo high it's almost cheaper to buy a new tent with free shipping then it is for you to cover just the shipping on a free tent
I bet to ship you my old 4x4 it would cost 100 bucks or more because of it being oversized

 

[GrumpAzz]

Thanks. I'm thinking about getting a tent. Do folks sell old equipment here?

Yeah we have a buy/sell/trade page. I don't know if there are any tents in it but you can make a post looking for one.

Pay it forward (Wanted/Offering)

This thread is where you can donate your used equipment to other growers. Or post up equipment you may be in need of that other growers may possibly be able to donate to you.

budbuilders.org

 

[MiGrampa]

Thanks. I'm thinking about getting a tent. Do folks sell old equipment here?

What size tent were you thinking of purchasing? When buying a tent, you usually get what you pay for. The cheapest tents might have pin hole light leaks out of the box. It will also have lighter weight fabric, smaller diameter poles and sometimes a very cheap zipper. A cheap tent does have its uses though. If its in a basement where the lights are off during the plant's night time, a cheap tent with pin hole light leaks is still more than adequate. In that case, I would be more concerned about the zipper. If you're placing it in a high traffic area where light leaks would hurt the crop, you'd be better off paying a bit more and purchasing something made by AC Infinity or similar.

Tell us more about the area you would like to put your tent in and we will have more answers for you.

 

[Annaresti]

What size tent were you thinking of purchasing? When buying a tent, you usually get what you pay for. The cheapest tents might have pin hole light leaks out of the box. It will also have lighter weight fabric, smaller diameter poles and sometimes a very cheap zipper. A cheap tent does have its uses though. If its in a basement where the lights are off during the plant's night time, a cheap tent with pin hole light leaks is still more than adequate. In that case, I would be more concerned about the zipper. If you're placing it in a high traffic area where light leaks would hurt the crop, you'd be better off paying a bit more and purchasing something made by AC Infinity or similar.

Tell us more about the area you would like to put your tent in and we will have more answers for you.

Not sure. Still thinking. Thanks folks for the link, I'll keep learning and looking.

 

[Observer]

Thanks, that's good to know as i don't know much about LST or any other training. Now, LSD... anyhow, thanks Grampa!

She seems happy! Just top dressed a little 4-4-4 and worm castings and a compost tea with vermistera tea, microlife biomatrix, and seaweed extract. So far so good.

Someone say LSD

 

[Observer]

Bacillus Thuringiensis (B.t.). That's the one I use for caterpillars. And then neem is for mites and aphids and the like.

I am mostly trying to do it for preventative measures, parts of my garden have aphids, and the squashes have had powdery mold. I feel like i've gotten them both under control, but I don't want to have to do that for this lady. The ganja plant is not right next to them, but in the same vicinity.

I figured that there was no real foliar pest management after flower, so it's good to remember that.

I've heard good things about potassium salts in integrated pest management and oil's of peppermint, thyme and clove. I love diametatious earth for my other plants, so I'll put that on the topsoil.

Flower. Sulfur treatments, peroxide, and few others

Or "organic" route like a mix of herbs, (thyme, rose and such)

 

[SiamSam]

Flower. Sulfur treatments, peroxide, and few others

Or "organic" route like a mix of herbs, (thyme, rose and such)

Lady bugs? OR other bug eating helpful insects...can help keep things under control

 

[Annaresti]

Update!

She looks happy. When in flower should i stop neem/bt/mite spray?

Anything i should be looking for?

 

[Zen_seeker]

Update!

She looks happy. When in flower should i stop neem/bt/mite spray?

Anything i should be looking for?

View attachment 69354

@GoodShit97 sprays in his outdoor battles.

Most things you stop in flower I think, unless fighting something and no other choice.

 

[MiGrampa]

Update!

She looks happy. When in flower should i stop neem/bt/mite spray?

Anything i should be looking for?

View attachment 69354

Neem oil is considered a no-no during flower. It will affect the way your finished flowers will taste. Maybe @GoodShit97 can expand on his outdoor treatments during flowering. However, industry wide, the "rule" is pretty hard and fast ... don't spray anything on maturing buds.

 

[GoodShit97]

I avoid spraying after week 5 of flower and I only use Dr. Zymes once buds start forming.

 

[Observer]

No neem oil, I'd do peroxide sprays or other "organic" routes if needed.

Don't want your buds soaking up the neem, it's bad so they say.

 

[Annaresti]

No neem oil, I'd do peroxide sprays or other "organic" routes if needed.

Don't want your buds soaking up the neem, it's bad so they say.

Thanks for that. can you give me some guidance on how to use peroxide? What about it other natural sprays like Castile Soap or essential oils?

I'm feel like I'm doing all right. But everything helps. And knowledge is good.

I have a few pictures I'll a post with some questions in a sec.

 

[Annaresti]

So it sounds like from here on out.I should hold off on sprays, except for maybe a couple specific ones at certain times. I have some photos and questions:

One: there seems to be a leaf or two with burns around the edges, i'm wondering if it could be from watering, or one of the sprays, or something else.


Two:
It's pretty open, but is there any of these? I should be pruning for airflow or to reduce crowding?


Three:
This is what it looks like when it starts to flower, right?

 

[steamroller]

1. I personally would not worry about 1 leaf. Could have been anything.
2. No need and any under performing leaves will fall off naturally to help with airflow. She looks pretty open IMO.
3.Yea she is starting to show.
This is my outdoor girl who just started to show also.

 

[MiGrampa]

1. I personally would not worry about 1 leaf. Could have been anything.
2. No need and any under performing leaves will fall off naturally to help with airflow. She looks pretty open IMO.
3.Yea she is starting to show.
This is my outdoor girl who just started to show also.
View attachment 69612

The only thing I would add that hasn't already been said pertains to growing indoors. I might do a bit more "lollipopping" at the bottom of the plant, especially close to the main stem. Those areas tend to produce "larf" (airy immature buds) because they don't typically receive enough light in an indoor grow. Outdoors with the natural sun, you should be just fine.

One thing I have not seen anyone bring up is how the fall weather in some areas can really be a challenge because night time temps go low enough to hit the dew point. Keep her as dry as possible. Us northern growers are well known for using a battery powered leaf blower to dry off our plants every morning. If you're in an area with higher humidity where night time lows are consistently in the 60's, you may want to plan ahead and keep that leaf blower at full charge. It can be frustrating to carry a beautiful crop through to the last weeks only to find bud rot or WPM issues in the final weeks of the grow.

 

[Annaresti]

The only thing I would add that hasn't already been said pertains to growing indoors. I might do a bit more "lollipopping" at the bottom of the plant, especially close to the main stem. Those areas tend to produce "larf" (airy immature buds) because they don't typically receive enough light in an indoor grow. Outdoors with the natural sun, you should be just fine.

One thing I have not seen anyone bring up is how the fall weather in some areas can really be a challenge because night time temps go low enough to hit the dew point. Keep her as dry as possible. Us northern growers are well known for using a battery powered leaf blower to dry off our plants every morning. If you're in an area with higher humidity where night time lows are consistently in the 60's, you may want to plan ahead and keep that leaf blower at full charge. It can be frustrating to carry a beautiful crop through to the last weeks only to find bud rot or WPM issues in the final weeks of the grow.

Thanks It just recently started getting pass the dew point at night once in a while here. I'll see what I can do. I have a weak fan that I can put next to her in the morning, but it'll be kinda hard. It does help that the first light hits her early to help dry off.

The 3 clones I took, I am probably gonna try to grow indoors but given the huge lack of knowledge - I don't know if any crop will come of it, but I'll learn, so there's that.

I'll stop pruning the old leaves, I was doing so before, but only because a few of them were rubbing against other leaves and becoming dried and dying.

Here she is today:

 

[Annaresti]

The only thing I would add that hasn't already been said pertains to growing indoors. I might do a bit more "lollipopping" at the bottom of the plant, especially close to the main stem. Those areas tend to produce "larf" (airy immature buds) because they don't typically receive enough light in an indoor grow. Outdoors with the natural sun, you should be just fine.

One thing I have not seen anyone bring up is how the fall weather in some areas can really be a challenge because night time temps go low enough to hit the dew point. Keep her as dry as possible. Us northern growers are well known for using a battery powered leaf blower to dry off our plants every morning. If you're in an area with higher humidity where night time lows are consistently in the 60's, you may want to plan ahead and keep that leaf blower at full charge. It can be frustrating to carry a beautiful crop through to the last weeks only to find bud rot or WPM issues in the final weeks of the grow.

On a related note to indoors growing: I made a makeshift humidity dome, and now that the roots are right. Starting to bawl, at the bottom of the pot of my clone that I took, how do I repot it and get it used to not being in a hundred percent humidity?

 

[Annaresti]

Speech to text there was bad, apologies. I was trying to say that the roots are starting to show at the bottom of my clone pot, but I'm worried it won't like the shock of moving out of the humidity. Do i just do it and hope?

 

[MiGrampa]

Speech to text there was bad, apologies. I was trying to say that the roots are starting to show at the bottom of my clone pot, but I'm worried it won't like the shock of moving out of the humidity. Do i just do it and hope?

If you have a good set of roots on your clones, you should be fine.

I use an aerocloner when I clone and have never had issues at transplant. Indoors, the natural humidity level in my basement is 50% - 55% so I haven't really worried too much about humidty levels either ... for me, once transplanted, I could see new growth within a couple of days.

Edit: I see you asked specifically about the transplant routine. I simply replant my rooted clones into "Roots Organic Original" potting soil. You can substitute my soil brand for any good quality mix. Fox Farm "Happy Frog" would be a good choice too. "Ocean Forest" might be too hot for freshly rooted clones though ... someone here is likely to chime in with their own suggestions.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Speech to text there was bad, apologies. I was trying to say that the roots are starting to show at the bottom of my clone pot, but I'm worried it won't like the shock of moving out of the humidity. Do i just do it and hope?

You’ll get a bunch of right answers. The short answer is just put it in a pot of soil you can manage and water properly. Red cups or a 1 gallon pot are typical. Just don’t over water and she’ll do fine.

 

[Annaresti]

I think all I have is some kellog raised bed mix. But I have wormcastings and some pearlite I can add. Thanks!

 

[Annaresti]

You’ll get a bunch of right answers. The short answer is just put it in a pot of soil you can manage and water properly. Red cups or a 1 gallon pot are typical. Just don’t over water and she’ll do fine.

I have some soil mix with fertilizer and stuff, Is that not a good choice due to the fertilizer i added (4-4-4 and some recharge type microbes)?

 

[Zen_seeker]

I have some soil mix with fertilizer and stuff, Is that not a good choice due to the fertilizer i added (4-4-4 and some recharge type microbes)?

Watch the hot stuff. When I get things wrong it burns. I usually use liquid nutes inside. I still consider myself new to this. Any of the more knowledgeable members can guide you better.

I just use my buffered soil and liquid nutes as needed for mist grows. I experiment outside and maybe with one indoor plant now and then to learn KNF and other tools.

For my clones humidity and temperature are key. Much easier than seedlings. If you already have roots fill your container part way. Put in the clone while adding more soil. Try not to clump the roots too much.

I use a clear plastic cup, from Tim Hortons or McD’s, inside a red cup. Red cup protects against light. Clear cup let’s me see the roots progress so I can up pot at the right time. This one’s an extra I had to give away.

I try to keep the temp and RH up a little. 26-28 & RH 60-70%


Hope some of this is helpful.

 

[MiGrampa]

Watch the hot stuff. When I get things wrong it burns. I usually use liquid nutes inside. I still consider myself new to this. Any of the more knowledgeable members can guide you better.

I just use my buffered soil and liquid nutes as needed for mist grows. I experiment outside and maybe with one indoor plant now and then to learn KNF and other tools.

For my clones humidity and temperature are key. Much easier than seedlings. If you already have roots fill your container part way. Put in the clone while adding more soil. Try not to clump the roots too much.

I use a clear plastic cup, from Tim Hortons or McD’s, inside a red cup. Red cup protects against light. Clear cup let’s me see the roots progress so I can up pot at the right time. This one’s an extra I had to give away. View attachment 70856View attachment 70857

I try to keep the temp and RH up a little. 26-28 & RH 60-70%
View attachment 70858

Hope some of this is helpful.

I agree with @Zen_seeker - Young roots don't tolerate hot soil very well. This doesn't mean a nutrient free mix. It means keep it easy on the nutrients in the beginning so if you add extra perlite you could probably use the mix you put together with the 4-4-4.

I'm not familiar with "Kellog's Raised Bed" potting soil so I can't say anything for or against it. The clear cup inside a colored cup example above by @Zen_seeker is a great way to start your clones in soil. Roots don't like light so don't forget the colored cup.

My brand of liquid nutes is the "General Hydroponics" Flora series and a bottle of GH's cal mag. Those 4 bottles (Flora-Gro, Flora-Micro, Flora-Bloom, and GH's cal mag) are all you would need from seeds/clones all the way through harvest. The General Hydroponics nutrient lines is usually a bit more reasonably priced compared to some of the others.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I agree with @Zen_seeker - Young roots don't tolerate hot soil very well. This doesn't mean a nutrient free mix. It means keep it easy on the nutrients in the beginning so if you add extra perlite you could probably use the mix you put together with the 4-4-4.

I'm not familiar with "Kellog's Raised Bed" potting soil so I can't say anything for or against it. The clear cup inside a colored cup example above by @Zen_seeker is a great way to start your clones in soil. Roots don't like light so don't forget the colored cup.

My brand of liquid nutes is the "General Hydroponics" Flora series and a bottle of GH's cal mag. Those 4 bottles (Flora-Gro, Flora-Micro, Flora-Bloom, and GH's cal mag) are all you would need from seeds/clones all the way through harvest. The General Hydroponics nutrient lines is usually a bit more reasonably priced compared to some of the others.

If I hadn’t found the Botanicare Kind trio on clearance I would have gone GH. It was $75 for 1L of each, Base, Grow & Bloom. I got them for $25 per set. Got enough to last a bit longer.

 

[Annaresti]

Thanks all! I'll let you know how it goes

 

[Annaresti]

Here's what I put together very quick - not high tech.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Here's what I put together very quick - not high tech. View attachment 71040

Light strength and hight will become an issue. Don’t want them stretching too much. Get lanky.

But I’m not an expert. I’ll let a better speak up.

 

[Annaresti]

Light strength and hight will become an issue. Don’t want them stretching too much. Get lanky.

But I’m not an expert. I’ll let a better speak up.

Thanks. I had them closer, but they looked like they were getting burned. Maybe too far now?

 

[Stoneyluv]

Thanks. I had them closer, but they looked like they were getting burned. Maybe too far now?

if you're talking about heat burn then generally speaking if it is to warm for the back of your hand that it becomes uncomfortable, then it is too hot for the plants at that height as well.

now getting burned from photons is a whole different animal. i assumed you meant heat.