[lindzzz]

I already posted this a few days ago but it is gone for some reason! I started growing six plants a few days ago from seeds that I have been collecting over the past year or so. I had a bunch of them in one jar so I have no idea which six I picked! I am really excited, this is my first outdoor grow and all six of the seeds I selected were easily sprouted! I will attach pics as I go. I can't wait!

[CannaConnoisseur]

Nice, good luck, enjoy that sunny SoCal weather... couldn't grow outdoors this time of year up in Oregon.

[lindzzz]

It really is lucky that I have sunny weather down here. It has been around 50 at night but luckily it doesn't seem to be killing them, I guess it isn't too cold. I am also using the nutrient SUPERthrive, an organic nutrient that is meant for growing food in a safe way, without pesticides. I haven't decided if I will add more nutrients because they seem to be progressing wonderfully with that one alone. Babies are going strong, biggest one is about the size of a quarter. Here is a picture I took of one of them yesterday, taller than a dime

[CannaConnoisseur]

Very nice, can't wait to see them pop up into big mamas

[lindzzz]

One of the stems turned bright purple. I was pretty sure this was a sign of stress, but wouldn't they all be turning purple? Do you know anything about that Canna? Could one of them be a purple plant already?

[CannaConnoisseur]

Sorry I didn't see this until now. I have had many purple seedlings and clones, it doesn't mean that it's a purple strain necessarily. It's actually pretty normal for that to happen, since they're just starting out their life and are still getting used to their new environment, they are lacking/getting used to the nutrients. What you don't want is purple stems on plants that are 3, 4 or more weeks old. I really wouldn't worry about it unless it continues for some time, then it is likely either Phosphorous or Magnesium deficiency. You'll know if it's either of these because not only will the stems be purple like that, but the leaves may be somewhat crisp and have white/grey spots on them. Good luck and again, I really wouldn't worry about it at this stage, as it's pretty normal.

[lindzzz]

Thanks, a big concern I have right now is that it has been so cold here lately. I know that it's nothing compared to other states, but the nights have been cold and we have had a lot of overcast days, a few rains etc. I hope that this is not stunting their growth, but they seem to need more sunlight than they are getting. I was thinking of moving them indoor, but the electricity costs are something more than I can afford now. I knew it was kind of a risk to plant so early in the season, and now I think I will pay for it

[CannaConnoisseur]

You can move them indoor, as long as you don't have other plants indoors (not just weed). This is because, no matter how many precautions you take, most outdoor plants have some type of pest on them that can spread to other indoor plants. It's fine to move from indoor to outdoor though. Again though, if you don't have any plants you care about indoors, then it should be fine to put your outdoor babies indoors.

[lindzzz]

Thanks again, I will post a pic of them in the next few days and you can look at them. The problem is they just aren't growing at the rate I thought they would. I don't have to worry about any other plants in my house though, so I think it will be fine in that area. My main concern is the shock to the girls. I am thinking of trying the CFL method because like I said I am a little low on funds. Anyways I will let you know what I decide to do with them.

[CannaConnoisseur]

Sounds good, you won't shock them moving them indoors; to the contrary, they'll love it. When they get shocked is moving from indoors to outdoors, so you should be fine.

[lindzzz]

Here are some pics, five out of six plants are female!

Finally flowering

[CannaConnoisseur]

Very nice, looking super healthy! 5/6 is a great ratio too. Keep us posted.

[lindzzz]

I am shocked at how much they grow everyday! It's crazy how different the outdoor method is. I think it's going so well during flowering because of the way my backyard is positioned in the sun. It's exciting, I can't wait til my babies are done!

[lindzzz]

I need some help! Caterpillars are eating my plants up and it's so close to harvest that I can't be using any pesticides. Anyone know what I should do? For now we have been picking them off by sight but it is so tedious because they are the same color as the plant and very hard to see. They keep killing tops

[lindzzz]

Plants are done, pics will follow soon!

[MamaPearl75]

lindzzz, on 27 July 2012 - 03:33 PM, said:

I need some help! Caterpillars are eating my plants up and it's so close to harvest that I can't be using any pesticides. Anyone know what I should do? For now we have been picking them off by sight but it is so tedious because they are the same color as the plant and very hard to see. They keep killing tops

I'm sorry I wasn't a member sooner so that I could help you with this situation. In the future, just mix a tbsp of organic neem oil, and aloe vera juice, and a tsp of Dawn dish liquid if you want, in a gallon jug sprayer, and use it as a foliar application. OR, you can buy some Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew and dowse them with that. Both methods can be used during the veg and flower stage, and will do absolutely no damage to your plants or buds. What I would do is hit your plants with the dead bug brew, then maintain them with the neem oil/aloe applications. Captain Jack kills EVERYTHING, including eggs! It's wonderful stuff.

[CannaConnoisseur]

Lindzzz, I know this is old, but let's see those pics? How did the bud come out?