2022 Outdoor Grow

[sKyKAI]

Greetings all,

I have been apart of this community for a decent time now.. Lately I’ve been a lot more active.. sharing my own experiences
and past and present, and future grows.

A fellow member mentioned to start a journal… It was just what I needed to hear as I’ve been putting off.

I’ll delve into this years current outdoor crop.
5th/6th cycle of using the genetics I possess from “feminized” bud that offered some seeds. Although the herb was very quality, I realized the possibilities of hermaphroditism… therefore I had to play the game… germinating seeds.. growing, and then pulling males during the lengthy experiment.

Here are some current photos of my
Outdoor garden

 

[Tokin Roll]

Welcome back @sKyKAI it has been awhile.

I see you have an excellent garden growing outside.
Tell us a little about how you are growing her, nutrients, training, strain, and anything else you can think of, or want us to know.

Stay safe, and grow well my friend,
Tok..

 

[sKyKAI]

Good evening @Tokin Roll !!

Appreciate the greetings on the return, always much love in this community!!

And Buddy…..thank you for checking out my journal and inquiring about my personal thoughts and techniques. I enjoy the shared wealth of knowledge and constant encouragement to share information… Learning is growing… No pun intended

Quick synopsis

I am privy to outdoor grows in many “zones”. I grow in one of the most difficult climates IMO due to weather swings, excessive heat, lack of rain, and many pests. I’ve grown indoor for the past 10 years and due to the “seasons”, I chose to trial outdoor in the spring to fall time in the past 4-5 years.I had to do my research and due diligence in the outdoor world… so Ive had trials and now have become fairly knowledgeable,IMO.

Genetics

I have always started from seed. I’ve even started with unknown genetics and played the “pheno hunt” game lol When I started off I had several “feminized” seeds from a few strains: Tangie, Champagne, Haze phenos (lemon/amnesia), and a few keepers from long long ago I couldn’t tell you the strain(but if I kept it 10-15 years properly stored, I’m sure it was )
At that point I played the game. It usually went 70/30 on fems to males; several hermed. Granted this is several years on indoor/outdoor cycle. So I played it out; strongest girls push through… although, due to the seed genetics I do get hermaphroditism sometimes. Ive Had plants self pollenate far into flower in parts of the nug to deep to see. Thus getting some seeds with that situation. But Honestly do not mind. Its been amazing experience. I just got gifted breeder seeds from holland and Im planning on mothering a couple strains.. currently in germination

The genetics, luckily, that Ive been working with have really adapted well to my environment; as I utilize companion planting and work organic mediums into the garden soil; and of course keeping beds very clean and tidy… Weather has been rather difficult this season in my Location… 90s-100s and RH always 75%+; not to mention insanely high dew points. Because of the longggg heat spells I really had to be precise with timing on my pruning and FIM/Top work. My personal LST during the spring went fabulous due to adequate “natural H2O”(rain) and great temps.

Pest control

I have been very fortunate to mitigate pest; without anything synthetic or even organic “pesticides”, as my location deals with a multitude of plant eating/killing bugs. During “planting season”, April and May, we have Field Bindweed, Ground Ivy, and Henbit. During Veg states in June and July, we have Aphids (Wooly Aphid), Bean Leaf Beetle, Blister Beetle, Galls, Grasshoppers, Harlequin Bug, Hollyhock Weevil, and of course Spider Mites. When the flip starts as the photoperiod changes,(August,September,October) we deal with Bagworms, Bluegrass Billbugs, Fall Web Worm, Squash Bugs and Pokeweed.
I am not a Botanist or phytologist, but I have done my due diligence and research to my specific location. I believe in “the more you know” phrase to the Nth degree. I have a degree in Geology and believe strongly about continuing education; and learning. I find it not only interesting and fun; but the benefits of legitimate research can help a person in all aspects of life.
I do utilize certain “techniques” that I believe has contributed to pest control in my garden. The garden is not directly under trees.. I do have many trees around it, (blessed to own 7 acres) but they are several 100 feet away. The perimeter of my garden has stacked wood(split and 4 ft in height) 3/4 of the rectangle. I grow KingKong sunflowers in a row on the west side, which can reach 12ft in height. In my garden itself, I also grow tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini; watermelon when the weather allows.

Prep work

Every spring I till the soil.. After the till I will mix in my compost( and manure(not fresh lol) I have a coup with 7-8) . I am very cognizant of weed control, And all weeds are eradicated manually. My garden stays very clean…. After the garden is prepped in the spring with above techniques, I lay cardboard down the entire surface area, covering most of the bedding. Wherever I plant I just cut a “hole”,(varying in size) in the cardboard and plant. The key, IMO, is the access to water… as thats the case for growing of most plants/crops. I use a personal technique, I call it “water torture”/water training. Its common knowledge that insects do not like to be hosed down my water. During early to late vegging state I “beat” my plants up… particularly when they are of adequate size. Some say watering in the morning is the most efficient (which may be, but is situational), but I have always had success with watering 1-2 hours before. There are deer in the area but have yet to interrupt any production in the many years of growing the garden. I have a “natural” perimeter, consisting of 4ft stacks of split wood and KingKong sunflowers. Luckily no issues with the deer. I had another location(years ago) where I did use moth balls. They seemed to act as proper deterrent, although I also dislike the smell, but who doesn’t!! s far as watering goes with the cardboard, I cut enough space where I plant/transplant, that allows plenty of infiltration. Also, over the season, the cardboard will breakdown/deteriorate in the beds directly underneath the plant, in a circumference of sorts. Mainly due to the watering and working in and around the plants.
Its always been a little trick that works for me. But I do have to save tons of cardboard boxes over the year

There are So many variables in the outdoor cultivation world, from deer, to pests, climate(heat, humidity, wind, storms, and so on. Its no “walk in the park”… You know… its very time consuming, and attention with physical labor, to many many variants.

 

[sKyKAI]

Photo Shoot
8/22

 

[sKyKAI]

Feedings
Early veg stage I actually don’t do a whole lot of feeding. I use a healthy amount of compost and chicken mixture during the til. I also add perlite to the bed mix!! I would say the plant will tell you what it needs… I can get away without feedings early. I will use a low nitrogen base feeding when the timing is right mid veg.
When the heat rolls in june I hafta be careful. Especially with the nitrogen… it gets scolding hot where I live (90s/100s and 75+%RH) wary of the burn.

What works best for me during that time water..water water water. Lol. I do have other features in the garden, I don’t know if they are considered true “companion”, but I have tomatoes, peppers, squash, and King Kong sunflowers.

Currently in the last few weeks as the weather has cooled and flowering has ramped, Ive hit it with some calmag,potassium, and bat guano.

Also, the chickens roam about in the garden….bug killers they are, and also some good aeration
From many many trials, I believe that it is better to underfeed rather than to overfeed a plant. Issues will arise from over-fertilization!!!! And many times they are much more difficult to rectify than a plant being slightly deficient in an certain elements/nutrients

 

[sKyKAI]

Greetings Fam!!!
Been backpacking the Rockies for the past week 🏔 .
Luckily I have a very reliable buddy(bestie) to look over things while I was on hiatus… also, today is my 35th birthday ✌

I wanted to give a heads up on progress… as things are looking righteous af!!!

Here are some full plant shots…

 

[sKyKAI]

A few more…
Thoughts, comments, questions… feel free to shoot away

 

[sKyKAI]

Welcome back @sKyKAI it has been awhile.

I see you have an excellent garden growing outside.
Tell us a little about how you are growing her, nutrients, training, strain, and anything else you can think of, or want us to know.

Stay safe, and grow well my friend,
Tok..

Check out the updates brother!!!
Let me know what you think!!!

 

[Tokin Roll]

You are doing a great job @sKyKAI
Your ladies look very happy, and I like your setups; how many plants do you have?

I unfortunately. I am restricted to indoors growing currently, but I like what you are doing.

Stay safe, and Grow well my friend,
Tok..

 

[StoneOtter]

WoWza sKy! Your ladies are beautiful! Nice and dialed in for outdoor growing! Those are some fancy thin leafed plants! Do you remember what they are? Going to be nice! When does your season end, or does it? Mine's done mid October here and I always hope for end of September finishes for weather reasons. Sweet plants!

 

[Bill284]

A few more…
Thoughts, comments, questions… feel free to shoot away

Love that beautiful sativa stretch and twist.
Buds are building quite nicely.
You must get plenty of sun she's really enjoying life.
Garden is fantastic my friend, hope you are well.
I'll follow along and enjoy the fun.




Stay safe
Bill284

 

[sKyKAI]

ahhhhhhhh. Harvest season…
Watching the changes, literally everyday, has a spiritual feel. Working the garden since April…And those long physical days in the Spring and those crucial decisions being made during the freakishly slow, miserably hot and humid days and nights of summer… and the blink of an eye….. the fruits of your passionate labor arrises

 

[Bill284]

ahhhhhhhh. Harvest season…
Watching the changes, literally everyday, has a spiritual feel. Working the garden since April…And those long physical days in the Spring and those crucial decisions being made during the freakishly slow, miserably hot and humid days and nights of summer… and the blink of an eye….. the fruits of your passionate labor arrises

Incredible ladies, WOW.
That first pic is breathtaking.
If you get a minute pop a pic in my Heavens Shores thread.
I'd love to have them drop by too.
Take care my friend.




Stay safe
Bill284

 

[sKyKAI]

more motivation

Incredible ladies, WOW.
That first pic is breathtaking.
If you get a minute pop a pic in my Heavens Shores thread.
I'd love to have them drop by too.
Take care my friend.




Stay safe
Bill284

Mister Bill,
Thanks for the feedback. Im surprised you can’t smell this garden from your locale
Appreciate the shout out… things are going amazing and these girls are blowwwing doors off overnights with drops to 50 degrees (Fahrenheit) … as they have soldiered through the dogdays of summer with 100degree 80+%RH and stupid high dew points.

They made it!!!!
And I must say…. I am very happy with my training and sculpting (pruning/lollipoping/topping/fimming)

No Larf, tops for dayz!!!!

These are the biggest I’ve ever cultivated…

Just To think what I could do with a proper outdoor climate .

 

[sKyKAI]

You are doing a great job @sKyKAI
Your ladies look very happy, and I like your setups; how many plants do you have?

I unfortunately. I am restricted to indoors growing currently, but I like what you are doing.

Stay safe, and Grow well my friend,
Tok..

Tok,
Appreciate the love!!! The girls have done outstanding… given my location and climate, this outdoor cycle is almost anomalous… but I’ll keep telling myself its because of my TLC

I have 7 total… Haze pheno, Diesel pheno, skunk pheno, lemon haze/skunk pheno.. and the biggest girl of all is a personal cross (which happened by chance when I had an indoor girl herm close to flower finish last year- the herm pollinated the juicy fruit pheno… I have a strain name
But I can’t let it go… because someone will take it and trademark it…

What are you working on these days?

 

[Bill284]

more motivation

Mister Bill,
Thanks for the feedback. Im surprised you can’t smell this garden from your locale
Appreciate the shout out… things are going amazing and these girls are blowwwing doors off overnights with drops to 50 degrees (Fahrenheit) … as they have soldiered through the dogdays of summer with 100degree 80+%RH and stupid high dew points.

They made it!!!!
And I must say…. I am very happy with my training and sculpting (pruning/lollipoping/topping/fimming)

No Larf, tops for dayz!!!!

These are the biggest I’ve ever cultivated…

Just To think what I could do with a proper outdoor climate .

I don't think they could be any better, seriously beautiful girls.
Your dedication shows.
Hope you have a great day my friend.
Take care.




Stay safe
Bill284

 

[StoneOtter]

Awesome frosty garden Sky! Almost there!

 

[Tokin Roll]

Way to go @sKyKAI

You have a beautiful garden going there.
You should be proud of your accomplishment

Stay safe and grow well my friend,
Tok..

 

[AutoNautPsychoFlower]

I love your garden so much! Your girls are all so individual and happy and doing their own things! That makes for great karma smoke
You have so many stunning shots in there too.
Beautiful gorgeous happy AF plants! Thank you for doing a journal!

 

[sKyKAI]

UPDATE evening of September 15th


You guys/gals are all wonderful. It’s all Crew Love…. One of many reasonz I love this Forum. This is a community for sure!! helping each other out, showing gratitude, putting egos aside and actually participating in knowledgeable/learnable/teachable subject matter.

Things look really good still I feel. We are having warmer than average days(like the rest of the world) for middle September.. average is around a sweet 75… this year its been 85/low90s still… but the nights are still producing their fall temps… and lower dew points/RH. With that being said, I really think these babes are sunnn bathing during the days.. just keeping their figures…
They are blowing doors everynight… I catch a whiff with a breeze from 200 ft easily . We had south winds today pick up to 30+mph gusts… Knocked every tomato cage over(granted with heavy tamatters on them)
This girls just are soooo strong.. I didn’t trellis(this cycle) and I have supports in place for tie-offs… put I have nothing twined up yet and not one break,scratch, or tare… without further a-due..
Also hit em with some lower dose P-K …
We have the earth juice currently… let it rain let it rain