Why are my autos so small and low yield?

[About Tree Fiddy]

Hey everyone,

I am not an experienced grower and I am using probably the most basic set-up ever, because it’s what I can afford. But, I need help!

My autos are flowering, but they are so small/short! They just started flowering, but are only about 9” tall.

My set-up is just a HPS lamp, big pot (10 gallons?), ILGM auto seeds, FoxFarm organic ocean forest soil and spring water.

The plants are two Zkittlez and two Gelato autos.

This is only my fourth attempt at growing. Two other times, the plants were about 3-4 feet tall. And, one other time, they were very short, like these look like they’re going to be.

I first thought it is because there are four plants in one big pot and they didn’t have enough room. However, when harvesting, none of the plants have had a huge root system or seem root bound at all. Plus, the one time, they did actually grow to 3-4 feet tall.

Also, I’ve never gotten a very big yield (the most was 2 ounces from 4 plants)....certainly nothing like other people’s pictures I’ve seen or based on the potential yield that are indicated in descriptions of the seeds.

Anyone know what could be growing wrong and how I could fix it? Any solutions that aren’t expensive? I am on a limited income and don’t have a lot of money to spend on growing. I use marijuana for chronic pain and even tho medical marijuana is legal in my state, it’s cheaper to grow one’s own (and much better quality).

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

 

[OttoCBD]

My guess is that the root systems of the 3 plants are competing with each other. They really need to be in separate containers but it's a little late to transplant them now. Ride it out, chalk it up to experience and learn from your mistakes.

 

[BII]

Have enough light intensity?

 

[About Tree Fiddy]

My guess is that the root systems of the 3 plants are competing with each other. They really need to be in separate containers but it's a little late to transplant them now. Ride it out, chalk it up to experience and learn from your mistakes.

I see. I guess in the future, I will only do one plant per pot. Thanks!

 

[About Tree Fiddy]

Have enough light intensity?

I think so. It’s a HPS. I don’t remember the wattage. But, it was something I was wondering about. It’s the same light I used the first three times I tried growing. So, it’s not new. Do HPS lights get weaker as they age?

 

[Arthur]

.6 grams per watt is a fair run under hps. So a 150w light you should see about 90 grams of dried marketable weed. Numbers published by breeders are not "average". And hitting them isn't going to happen without really pushing the ladies, but that requires more$.
Good nutes
Good medium
Good control of environment, temps, rH.
Good lighting. I love growing under hps, but... when looking at grams per watt of energy used, they blow... a good LED system can see upwards of 2 grams per watt.
Good genetics.
Good grower. Some people are naturals, others have to really work to run an A game, and others... well some, unfortunately, are destined to buy from a dispensary.
Growing weed is a lot like racing. Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?
that's just for the car, you still need a driver with a little tallent.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Genetics is the first determining factor for a winning plant. Then you must provide the most perfect environment that you can. Every ding in the environment is lost yield. 18/6 Full spectrum light = 28 DLI minimum. 40 is better. 68°F. night 78°F day, lots of fresh air and air circulation. Relative Humidity >40%<60%. Skill in the method of your grow.

Sounds easy right It is just a lot more work than meets the eye.

You don't talk about fertilizer and 4 plants in a 10 gallon pot are going to use up what came in the soil?
HPS lamps do wear out so that is something to look at.

 

[About Tree Fiddy]

.6 grams per watt is a fair run under hps. So a 150w light you should see about 90 grams of dried marketable weed. Numbers published by breeders are not "average". And hitting them isn't going to happen without really pushing the ladies, but that requires more$.
Good nutes
Good medium
Good control of environment, temps, rH.
Good lighting. I love growing under hps, but... when looking at grams per watt of energy used, they blow... a good LED system can see upwards of 2 grams per watt.
Good genetics.
Good grower. Some people are naturals, others have to really work to run an A game, and others... well some, unfortunately, are destined to buy from a dispensary.
Growing weed is a lot like racing. Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?
that's just for the car, you still need a driver with a little tallent.

What wattage LED is good for a couple plants? Any LED recommendations?

 

[Couch_Lock]

You will need a minimum of 30 watts per sq ft........so if ur in a 2 x 2 tent? Thats only 4 sq ft, you need 120 watt DRAW from the wall of LED lighting....Not the 1000 watts that Amazon claims the light has. You need to find out how many watts it has from the wall, what does it draw?

HLG, Amare, ChillLED, Timber, Mars Hydro, Spider Farmer are a few good brands. Cob lights or Quantum board, bright white full spectrum is best.
You do NOT want purple/blurple lights unless you want fluffy, airy garbage buds.

Basically, go cheap on LED lighting and you have cheated only yourself.

 

[Arthur]

What wattage LED is good for a couple plants? Any LED recommendations?

Really depends on the light. A quality LED 25w per square foot. I run DIY cobs and am at 450w over 16 square feet. It's a little shy of perfect. If I was looking now I'd put in an hlg 550 or 600 QB with some far red tossed in as well. The 450 is fine for autos, but when I run the occasional photo I'm underpowered a smidge.