Direct Sun Light Question.

I'm already planning next year for my first outdoor guerilla grow and I wanna keep it stealth like among bushes trees etc. My question is does the entire plant need to recieve direct sunlight for an entire 5 hours a day(I believe thats the min. requirement) or does any direct sunlight getting to the plant benefit it enough,,, for example if half the plant sees 5 hours of direct sunlight is it still beneficial to the plant or must the entire plant recieve those hours of light for the plant to grow healthy ,, new to the outdoors so all help is greatly appreciated!!

5 hours direct during flowering, begging ur gonna want more than that to grow nice thick plants.

There is no real minimum, it's just considered what is worth growing by most people. If only one side gets light, that side will grow bigger buds during flowering, not sure of the effect on veg but it won't grow as fast.

no you want most of the plant in the sun for at least 5 hours. That's really a minimum. You won't get big thick plants with 5-6 hours. I look for spots with 8-10 hours of sun. Under 5, the buds will be airy and the plants small and lanky (low yield). The sun is the number 1 factor for big healthy plants yielding lots of rock hard buds.

That's what I'm saying. It can be done but most people consider it not worth it. But if that is all you have, then it's all you have. My first plants were on my windowsill through angled blinds so they couldn't be seen, probably got 2-3 hours direct a day, and still managed about an oz each. I was well pleased with myself at the time.

yep if it's all you can give them, then it's all you can give them. However, with 4 hours of sun in my yard once, I found the buds were airy (less yield) but still potent.
The most important part of the plant you want in the sun is the upper half but the best is the whole plant for 6 hours for a decent harvest. Keep in mind that a full day spot gets 15-16 hours of sun from dusk to dawn, that's how people grow those beasts in the legal gardens and for the more experienced guerilla growers. My sunniest spot is 10 hours of direct sun and yields 20 ozees per plant (I have two there). Another one of my spots gets 7-8 nd yields 10 per plant (3 plants). It's all in the sun really.

Wow that's a lot of helpful information so thank you Corto for some in depth info and everyone else who replied its very appreciated i suppose i can continue to look for a spot with more light throughout the day i still have until next spring but again thank guys and wish me luck next season I'll be starting a grow journal sometime in march 2013 so keep an eye out if your interested!

no you want most of the plant in the sun for at least 5 hours. That's really a minimum. You won't get big thick plants with 5-6 hours. I look for spots with 8-10 hours of sun. Under 5, the buds will be airy and the plants small and lanky (low yield). The sun is the number 1 factor for big healthy plants yielding lots of rock hard buds.

What he said. Starting at about 4 hrs, growth, yield and bud density is effected. Once 2hrs or less is reached and the plant spends most of its time in the shade. diseases such as mould and Powdery mildew are a real danger. Plants that get little sun are spidly and cant withstand wind and are succeptable to everything

Well I'll be looking for a spot with more hours of sunlight then I just get nervous I want it to be near impossible to come across but not impossible to get too which is of course ideal for guerilla growing but finding the right spot is really difficult especially to a newbie who gets paranoid easy :/

You're welcome donjo. When looking, you need to choose carefully and this takes time. I spend days looking for the right spots. I just bring my food, my dog and spend the day hiking out in the middle of nowhere. I look first for water and then for sunny spots near that. You wnt a wall of green facing north and an opening south side which will garantee you 8-10 hours of sun, thus getting big plants (no sun = small plants for sure). Full day spots are possible even guerilla wise and they yield 2 pounds per plant. I have yet to find such a spot but I know friends who've got them (see Oldpork).

That's a great idea! I have a lot of spare time and lord knows that spoiled dog of mine could use some exercise! Plus I'm less likely to be harassed for walking in such remote area with my cute little pit bull by my side, and I have read your grow guides they are also very helpful! More rep for you and thanks!

Sure no problem

Edited by Corto Malteze, 25 July 2012 - 07:29 AM.

Yeah, a dog is always a good alibi, hell I'm just walking the dog you know, have a nice day mam, sir. I grow with bottomless pots near mountain streams so don't water (no tracks going back and forth, more time for me, less gas spent). But you can also grow in dry land and hand water with a nearby water source. In all cases, the sun is crucial for a big healthy plant so make sure you also bring a compass to know where the south is.Also Google earth is very good to know where you are before going but also once you return. Then choose two or three spots out of a dozen possible ones.

I never thought about the bottomless pots that would be FANTASTIC for me! Especially since I have to walk a great distance for any good remote locations. I went out today and looked at a couple possible spots but I'll also go take a look at a completely different remote forest location tomorrow. I am really digging all the advice your providing me its very helpful and influential for my up coming grow have you ever considered writing a book? LOL

No man lol nothing to write a book about haha! Just go looking for water sources bordering forests, tree patches, bushes (not in the forest) and from there find stealthy sunny locations. There are plenty but it takes time and gas to go find them. Personally I really enjoy scouting, it's just like hiking. Also if you have a canoe, you can find more unreachable locations close to water.
Once you find that sweet spot, another important tip is to trim any surrounding vegetation (small trees if nec., bushes, branches) that block the sun. This gives extra hours to your grow and will make a big difference between a spot with 5 hours of sun and one with 8. Some spots aren't trimmable and then it's best to find another one. I like to have a wall of greenery at the N side (for cover) and an open sky facing South. You can have an all day spot but those are even harder to harvest (very open), I'm looking for such a spot this Summer.
Also don't separate your spots too much as you will need to tend to them (LST done early enough, Fim/lst, feeding -top dressing-, bugs to check, drying on spot esp. if far away, harvest). I like to have 4 spots of 3 or 4 plants max, with two spots in the same general area (a few miles from each other) and the other two closeby from each other as well but farther than the first two, somewhere else (on another mountain). With 12 full grown plants in sunny spots, you get a shit load of weed.

Edited by Corto Malteze, 25 July 2012 - 09:40 AM.