My outdoor autos are tiny???

[Stone420]

I have a couple of autos and a couple of photos grown in identical soils, nutes and all other growing conditions identical. One example is Blue Dream and another is White Widow where I have both auto and photo versions of these strains. Another is Mazar where I only had the auto plant.

The photo versions of WW and BD are beautifully large plants which will be harvested soon it appears. Conversely, the WW auto gave me less than one oz, the Mazar right at 35 grams and the BD auto yet to be harvested.

I was under the impression auto plants can be quite large, but I am seeing my plants all come out very small. And they are side by side with photos that are huge in comparison.

Is this a trend in which others have seen??

First pic is a WW photo at 12 weeks, second pic is a BD auto at 6 weeks. Same conditions, but my auto plants are all small and I have no clue why. Genetics?

 

[Arthur]

Autos really need a good start to perform well. When I run autos outside, I start indoor for the first 2 to 3 weeks. If the temps and humidity are off of VPD much when the girls are small they really suffer.
When I start indoor and move out, I end up with regular sized ladies.

 

[Stone420]

Good point...thanks!

 

[Muonymous]

I used to do a set of 8 or so early autos every year, sowing at end of March before the main sowing in May/June but even with a couple of weeks on the windowsill indoors to begin with (where there is not enough light) it's too cold for them then and they don't get enough hours of daylight and I've finally decided the early harvest is not worth the waste of space; every now and again you get a hardy/lucky plant that does well and grows big, but generally those early plants are always small and disappointing.

 

[WilliamNewbridge]

I grew 5 this year...

Planted July 1st and harvested over the last couple weeks.

This was August 13th...

Definitely something wrong to be that small. You really have to give Autos more love and be mindful of conditions and stresses put on the plant in veg. With such a short veg time they can't afford to be stunted. Likely the case here.

In my experience Autos will not get big like Photos. Not gonna get those 7+ foot plants although I have seen a few get pretty tall 4-5 feet but that's not ideal. LST seems to be the way to go to get a busier plant with more colas. They simply don't have the veg time to get as big. Usually showing sex and into flowering at 4 weeks or so with autos. Some go longer but I have never been given the impression that autos get big like photos.

 

[Arthur]

I used to do a set of 8 or so early autos every year, sowing at end of March before the main sowing in May/June but even with a couple of weeks on the windowsill indoors to begin with (where there is not enough light) it's too cold for them then and they don't get enough hours of daylight and I've finally decided the early harvest is not worth the waste of space; every now and again you get a hardy/lucky plant that does well and grows big, but generally those early plants are always small and disappointing.

Seems they really need to be established well into veg if going out in the cool.

Most of our strains have been thru the breeding selection process indoors. outdoor strains really need to have their breeding done outside.

 

[bluerider]

Seems they really need to be established well into veg if going out in the cool.

Most of our strains have been thru the breeding selection process indoors. outdoor strains really need to have their breeding done outside.

This is exactly why I respectfully disagree with Jeff lowenfels when he describes autos as the next tomatoes.

I just harvested a late planting of outdoor autos and I had three that totaled 6g (dry) and another that isn't dry yet but it's going to come in well over 1/4 lb. All were from reputable breeders but until we get good reliable outdoor grow info from breeders autos will never become the next tomatoes. Not even beginners want to grow single joint plants!

 

[Arthur]

This is exactly why I respectfully disagree with Jeff lowenfels when he describes autos as the next tomatoes.

I just harvested a late planting of outdoor autos and I had three that totaled 6g (dry) and another that isn't dry yet but it's going to come in well over 1/4 lb. All were from reputable breeders but until we get good reliable outdoor grow info from breeders autos will never become the next tomatoes. Not even beginners want to grow single joint plants!

Agreed. I also believe he is mistaken on taking leaves. If we were growing for overall biomass (like lettuce or cabbage) that would be an appropriate approach. But we grow for fruit. 2 different goals, 2 different approaches needed.

Brilliant guy, I just think mistaken here.

 

[McDee]

Agreed. I also believe he is mistaken on taking leaves. If we were growing for overall biomass (like lettuce or cabbage) that would be an appropriate approach. But we grow for fruit. 2 different goals, 2 different approaches needed.

Brilliant guy, I just think mistaken here.

I take a ton of leaves from my plants. Anything that's blocking bud that wont stay tucked gets cut. It hasnt negatively effected any of my plants yet that I can tell. Not hatin' just sayin'.

 

[MrToad]

Well..full disclosure...I love autos and those who are trashing them dont really know the intricacies of how they're grown...
First point, to which I will agree...an auto will not produce the same amount of bud as a conventional photoperiod...That said, if you have a short growing season, an auto is tour only real outdoor choice if you want to avoid hassle.. they will finish in time and ..You should be able to get 1/4 lb from decent auto strains.

So here's the scoop...Auto's operate like race cars..Foot on the gas..start to finish...Indoors people have them under light..20-24 hrs and still continue this light during flowering as well (almost twice that of photo periods) Think if it this way...you have 3-5 weeks to build your autoflower frame that your buds will grow on...for that reason, I always start mine indoors 3-4 weeks early under 20-24 of light to maximize light at the begining; planting them in the pots I intend to keep them in...and timing it in such a way to take advantage of the longest days of sunshine possible when taken outside..You do that, and take care of your plant you will be rewarded.. Training your plant allowing sun to get to lower branches early will help facilitate growth...
No question, to the naysayers, Autos can be finicky..but for those of us in central Canada it's the best option without having to drag your plant in and out at the end of season to finish..some sativa autos being 4-5 ft..
Toad