New Grower So NO Topping or Defoliation right? How to maximize yield then?

[JohnnyScience]

I'm semi new to growing, just getting wrapped up with my first grow & things went well, but long.

We had an Auto in the bunch & saw how quickly it went so for the 2nd round we are going to run all Auto-Pounders.

Now normally I know you're supposed to Top plants & with our first run we also Defoliated (Google Defoliation if you're not familiar with it, it's supposed to help increase yield)

But I know when you Top & also Defoliate, it always stalls the growth by about a week or so each time for "Catch up" - something that we do NOT want with an Auto since they have such a short life span correct?

So if you aren't doing either of those, how do you maximize the yield?

SCROG isn't really an option since our setup consists of 2 vertical bare bulbs hanging in the middle of 2 halos right now, when we run the auto we are going to make triangles around the bare bulbs because we are adding drain trays for more consistent feedings. (We run coco and are purposely running bare bulbs)

Also what about using Superthrive on Auto's? Is that ok or is it usually only used with clones? Still just stop using it when it begins to flower right?

Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[namvet25]

It is best not to top autos because of there short veg period. What to you mean with bare bulbs?.Are they cfl or what type?I have heard of superthrive but don't know the nute value,is it a veg nute or somthing else.

 

[GoTgReEn]

To maximize yeild you could LST them, try leaf tucking and lollypoping works in small doses but obvious one would be big pots dude like 3 gallons

 

[TaNg]

I lollypop and tuck with great results.

 

[GoTgReEn]

I lollypop and tuck with great results.

:smokebuds: Yh me to don't see need for popcorn just big fat tops!!

 

[countzero404]

Lst like the others said, and don't use superthrive once flowering has started, it is said to mutate flowering plants.

 

[JohnnyScience]

It is best not to top autos because of there short veg period. What to you mean with bare bulbs?.Are they cfl or what type?I have heard of superthrive but don't know the nute value,is it a veg nute or somthing else.

Just a bare MH/HPS bulb hanging vertical from the ceiling. No glass or reflector. I'll try to find a pic later.

Ok I'll look more into LST. Does anyone know of a good video or guide on LST with autos?

 

[JohnnyScience]

:smokebuds: Yh me to don't see need for popcorn just big fat tops!!

Where & when do you start lollipopping the branches so you don't end up with a bunch of popcorn buds? This doesn't cut your yield down at all?

We're not doing SCROG since we're doing a vertical bulb, but after our first run we see That we'd like to not have as much popcorn this next run.