I personally have never had a problem with anything eating a plant that's more than 8 inches. I was wondering if you started u'r ladies in a medium other than soil?
I have seen problems with ppl growing outdoors using mediums other than what they're eventually going into. One buddy described it as....the critters think there is some "little treats" for them.
Most of the damage i've seen is from rabbits, squirrel even mice. Small shit. Once the ladies get big, nothing seems to **** with them....other than human bandits.....guess i've been lucky.
Just a note.....don't be so quick to give up on the outdoor, there is definately something there! Outdoor plants thrive, i've had little problems compared to indoor. Just think, indoor is a "tried" controlled enviroment. Outdoor is the enviroment you are trying to imitate but can never, no matter how hard you try.
I will argue outdoor enviroment is the best incase anyone wants to chime in?
Hope this makes helps???????