Raising "Outdoor" in pot's is really tricky! Sounds as if their "cycle" has been disturbed; i.e in Nature we find "X" amount of Light, "X" amount of Dark;
let's substitute 12 for X,eh? O.K.; Assuming "everything" you do is perfect, you still have very different conditions than;
1. Plants in well prepared 'soil".
2. Plants in well prepared soil,in adequate containers, grown in a Grow-tent, with highly regulated; breeze/ CO2/ Warmth/ Light Spectrum's
3. You've got many more variables doing what you're doing.
Would truly suggest spending some time "watching" other's grow on YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.. Many; generous donations of techniques/ knowledge there.