Greetings OGs, and thanks in advance for your patience and expertise!
Here is the breakdown:
I have a small east-facing balcony that gets 5, maybe 6 hours of direct sunlight here in SE Florida. An indoor operation isnt viable right now, so I want to do my very first grow out here.
I need to keep it small and discreet, and want to do it right! My budget is limited, but I wanted to get some input on everything so I can get started and finished before it gets too hot. Lighting, containers, soil and seeds, please and thank you!
Well since you are growing outside and need it as discreet as possible. You would be best off growing autos. Will will not need any lights and will not have to worry about how much direct sunlight it gets per day. The biggest thing you will have to worry about is someone outside seeing it on the balcony.
when your on the water its pretty crazy how quick it clears up. I grow pounds a few doors down from my mayor.
That balcony is small. How discreet do you need to be?
Camouflage is nice but draw attention in its own way.
@PsillyRabbit it is small, but I do have some other plants to keep near it for camoflage. 3rd floor at the top by the water and Ill mix in some herbs as @Il_medical suggested, so not too worried about the smell.
Suppose my main concern is light, but @darkillusion thinks Im good there if I use autos.
You can also add a 50/100 w led shop lights will also work for supplementary lighting which will help with flowering and getting the buds bigger.
Lights can be close to the plants and on in the daytime and shouldn’t draw too much attention
@PsillyRabbit have a margin with his rooftop. I don’t consider that you have this margin @ABundanc3, and i will not do it in your situation/environment. You have even boats just beneath ^^
Put a tent on the balcony. Lol
Don’t know what the situation is but I’d do that for proper buds (light), if for some reason I couldn’t inside and had less than optimal lighting out there. But I ain’t right.
This is my east facing balcony from last year.
Mind you I live in Canada where it is legal to grow 4 plants.
These were regulars. They went till October.
Autoflowers will be better for your situation.
Maybe add some tomato plants in for camo.
Good luck growchacho
Thanks for the input and suggestions everybody! If I go with an auto and get it started in a Dixie cup what is the best kind of pot/container once its ready?
It depends on final size. I usually transplant a couple times, slowly increasing size of pot. Usually a solo cup gets transplanted around 3-4 weeks in. When you transplant the roots should be everywhere. Just disturb them when you put in new pot.
As far as auto, I don’t have experience. I would listen to others with more auto grow knowledge. You can probably keep it inside under CFL or t5 light, maybe even a month. Then put outside on porch with some camouflage.
Thanks again for all these pro tips! Time for my next question:
I have 5 gallon growbags, a 100W grow light, organic earthworm castings and some Coast of Maine potting soil. Just need some autoflowering beans to get my first grow started.
How can I get involved in some of the seed donation threads? Im not sure where to buy legitimate beans and honestly pretty light on funds to do so.
Any input on sourcing options would also be great! I just got back to work after being laid off in September, so I’ll be back on my feet soon.
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