Need Some Advice on Outdoor Growing in Pots

Hey Folks,

So I'm trying my hand at growing for the first time. I feel like my setup is tricky because I know nada and wanted some advice please.

I live in Africa and planted my germinated seeds into pots yesterday. I think I planted a little late because we're at the ass end of summer with about 6 to 8 weeks to go before autumn (fall). But I'm lucky that it's still hot during the days until about half way through May. And then from May through to end of July our days aren't freezing either. Only the nights are.

I'm growing in pots because there's no space on my property where my plants can't be seen by either neighbors or passersby.

I know I won't get a large yield because I planted so late, but I'm not to fussed about that. As long as I have enough stash to last me the winter I'm good.

I gave them a decent gravel base for drainage and used high quality potting soil.

I can offer my plants full sun for the entire day from about 9am to 5pm. But it's 8 hours of direct, hot sun.

I'll be bringing them indoors to sleep since the nights are already a little chilly. The chill came early this year.

So my questions are...

Is 8 hours of hot, direct sunshine too much?

Should I move them into a shadier spot away from the insanely hot afternoon sunshine? They'll still have access to light and will be outside during this time. But just in a shady spot provided by my house.

If they're getting 8 hours of that killer sun should I water them more than once a day?

Should I feed them? If so, with what and how often?

I'm watering with reverse osmosis water. Is that okay?

Will they be unhappy if I bring them indoors at night? The room where they'll be is warm and dark. So in other words will they be unhappy to be moved around?

I hope I'm making sense and I'm sorry for the stupid questions.

Ta!

They may need some transition time as seedlings. Start them in the shade then gradually give them more and more direct sunlight. After they have hardened off leave them in full sun.

You will have to learn how often to water. They may need twice a day or only twice per week. You want to allow the soil to dry out a good bit between waterings. A constant wet environment is no good. Get a feel for the weight of a pot with dry soil. Since you will be carrying them each day it should be easy for you to get a feel. I would water in the mornings after I set them out to enjoy their day (only if they need water that morning). This way the pots won't be so heavy and you won't have them in a dark damp environment indoors.

MrRoboto,

Thanks that's awesome advice.

I gave them a little water after planting them yesterday and some this morning when I set them outside. The soil dried up nicely which I'm pleased about after reading your advice!

high quality soil should get you to flower you can give them worm castings tea but when they start to flower they will need calcium and magnesium. they don't care about night are they in total darkness when indoors if not they won't flower. Feel the soil it needs to be moist not wet feel the weight of the containers when you move them if they are really heavy too wet really lite too dry. don't feed them the last couple of weeks before you harvest. good luck