I realize that under ideal conditions it would never get over 85f. outside during the grow season. But I don't live there. Where I live, the mid-day temperature seldom gets below the mid-90's during the grow season; at least during the hot summer monthes. Right now it's 5:00 p.m., 97f. at 3% rh - in three more days it will be September already - it's like this all season. I prefer growing outdoors, but it's brutal out there on cannabis! Some of you out there must have dealt with "too hot" conditions; what kind of experiences have you had? Did you learn any hot weather tricks? Maybe someone can reccomend a strain that does well in the heat. Any ideas will be appreciated! Any first hand experience will be greatly appreciated!!!
At temps above 85F, growth slows, at temps 100F+, is stops growing. But let's not forget that those are the max temps during the mid-day to mid-afternoon. In the evening it cools off, at night it's cool, in the morning it's cooler. If for instance it was 95F to-day, it was only 95 for a few hours--most of the time it was cooler. At consistant high temps, the # of blades decreases (fewer "fingers"--less moisture loss). Pot originated in area's (like Afganistan) where it gets very hot in the summer. Usually, in 99% of the U.S., summer temps are not an issue, at least not for very long.
Hey mine did fine and it got pretty hot here. above 95 for sure but they kept on growin. i dont think it will be a problem for you. i have 10-13 foot tall plants now. heat shouldn't hurt'em.
Thanks to Ranger and Smokey for hitting on this one!! I think I have just been playing with a double edged sword - very high heat & very low humidity. I'll be trading this in for moderately high heat & high humidity whene I move to N.C., sounds like a damn fine trade to me!! The humidity will kick me in the ass but I will learn to deal with it, for me and the plants. So that's what I have to look forward to - sweat and mould - I can hardly wait!! (LMAO) Ranger - I believe that the cooler nights were the only thing that kept my plants alive; but just barely. In extreme conditions like this, would they do better "in the ground"? For a number of reasons; I was growing in above ground pots and I can see now that I was "baking" the roots. Smokey - Glad to hear that you have some monsters growing (must be Sativa) - it gives me hope (you made my day brother!!). Has the humidity caused you big headaches with mould or rot problems? Just one last question. Do you find that only certain strains will grow well in the South, or will most strains do fine under those conditions? I am so f#%@ing glad to hear from someone growing in the Carolinas. I just feel sooo much better now!!! Thanks again and don't be surprised if I bounce a question off of you every now and then.
If you grow in containers, the best containers are called "pulp pots", made from re-cycled cardboard. They are hard to locate and most nurseries will have to special order them. But they are the best because they're brown (blend in well), thick (absorbs excess moisture) and "breathes" because they're porous, and if the roots outgrow the container they grow right through it into the ground. They come in many sizes; I use the ones that are approx. 16" wide by 17" tall. The most common containers people use are the standard plastic 5 gal. ones. If you use these it's best to spray paint the outside light brown and/or light green. Darker colors absorb heat--not good.
