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Wanting to grow outdoors in hot and humid Virginia, but due to a failed first grow after a direct sow into a garden bed outside earlier this summer, I am starting a new batch in my windowsill to give them a head start before I put them outside. I had this idea I have yet to see in any diaries or discussions and I'd love people's input on it!
The concept goes like this:
1. Seeds start in a standard peat pellet. Give the seed a light medium to begin its root development, allowing the roots to grow fast with little resistance. This also keeps the new seed nicely and evenly moist.
2. Have that peat pellet buried into a seed starter medium. In this case I am using Coast of Maine seed starter mix. After the roots break the peat pellet, they are met with this slightly harder, but still light medium where they are introduced to organic nutrients, mycorrhizae, the whole shebang. This prepares them for soil later down the road. I'll only water this outer ring of seed starter to encourage roots to spread out.
3. All of this will be inside a manure-based cowpot. After the first couple weeks when I'm in full veg and there's good root development, I can transplant into 3 gallon fabric pots with Coast of Maine Stonington Growers Mix. Ideally this avoids any transplant shock for the baby autos. I'll cut slits in the sides and remove the bottom of the cowpot to allow the roots to grow unimpeded. Cowpots should quickly decompose and provide good food for the soil. After the first couple weeks, the pots should be pretty mushy before they even touch soil.
So here's the actual grow:
Dropped seeds in 6.2 pH water for 5 hours and given complete darkness and warmth until seeds sank. I've tried the method of leaving the seed in water until the taproot pops out but my seeds rarely succeed the plant into soil. The quick soak ensures saturation, but also completely avoids drowning or taproot shock. They were sowed into peat pellets soaked at 6.2 pH, which was then buried in a manure based cowpot with Coast of Maine Seed Starter. It was watered fully, covered in plastic wrap and sat in southeast facing window. Planted both at night, one seed emerged in less than 36 hours, second followed shortly after. Stoked on such a quick and healthy germ.
Didn't get pics from emergence, but counting my days from that point.
Seedlings seem to be off to great start. Stiff stems for early stage. Will introduce light wind today. Watered yesterday as medium was bone dry. Cowpots allowing for good moisture dissipation.
(9/2) Looking pretty strong so far. Not much stretching and nice solid green color. Rotating daily. Firm stems. Second leaf set coming in. Temperatures lowering a bit. Will water again later today.
(9/4) Added some organic Kelp and Crab Meal to the outer rings for a boost as the roots branch out further this second week. Definitely overdid it on watering the other day. They were a little droopy yesterday morning but are bouncing back now. Won't water again until next week most likely, then to the 3 gallons they go. Added some liquid silica to the water. pH runoff a little higher now, closer to 7, even with 6.2 water.
(9/9) Plants looking (and smelling) beautiful! Let them dry out from the overwater last week and they seem to have appreciated that. Going to water again tonight with a shot glass and a little lower pH than what Ive been doing. Few cloudy days over the week but the amount they get every other day seems to make up for it. Might try some LST in a couple days when those 4th leaf sets come in. Stems are super firm and what to get that going before it is too late. Keeping an eye on any root growth coming through the cowpot. Will probably be ready for the big transplant next week!
(9/17) The two plants got transplanted cowpot and all into their 3 gallons a couple days ago. Bottom and sides of cowpot were cut up and there was some definite root growth coming to the sides of the pot. Stonington Growers Mix nutrient test was a little low so added crab and kelp meal and some mycchorizae and let it chill in the bag with some moisture to break down in anticipation for this week. Seem to be enjoying the transition to outside so far, other than those yellow bottom leaves. Big one is already showing signs of flower which is concerning. The window may have been getting too hot during the day. Hoping for some big growth this week once we get some more sun.
(9/23) Dont seem to be growing as much as Id like. Pistil development real strong in the larger plant. Think i watered the fabric pot too much during planting. Trying to follow the direct light in my back yard but its probably too shady overall. Supplementing it in the evening with cheap 80 watt blurple LEDs in my gardenbed greenhouse.
(10/6) so its the end of week 5 and the plant growth has really dwindled as they start flowering. Lots of cloudy weather and inconsistent sun. The larger one is obviously further ahead then the smaller.
Observed some aphids and what appeared to be thrip damage on the plant early last week and so had to do some spinosad treatments. Bottom leaves have begun to yellow and i dont know if its nutrient lockout or what. Havent had the chance to do any soil or ph testing because ive gotten a little discouraged.
I think suboptimal root growth early on because of mediums being a little too wet and the constraints of the peat pellet have hurt the plants true potential. Next grows ill try just going right into the 3L soil outside and not messing around with the pellets in the window. They looked realy good there but maybe they didnt like the shift to outside.
Good luck with your grow I hope you get the best taste of buds and healthy plants! Take care and stay lit! I will drop by sometimes to check on your process! Say hello if you ever visit my page!
Peace & Love - L.S.T 🙏🏼🌟
Dedarsleeve
