New Grower To auto or not to auto that is the question

[blue]

I’m curious about the size of the auto and if there’s anything I can do about the size, when it goes to flower will it double in size? I’ve seen really tiny autos and it’s sad , just hope I haven’t hurt the plants chances of being all it could be. How much is due to the genetics of the seed company? If that’s the case we can’t do ANYTHING right?

Hello There PJ! ^_^

Auto sizes: So ... sometimes it goes down to genetics, for example there are "dwarf" strains that you'd expect to stay small ... but mostly these days, you're looking at about 1 meter + tall depending on genetics , but also environment.

One of the big mistakes that leads to small autos is a bad start. A bad 20 days of not getting the seedling water/feed and environment/light right.

Getting a good 20 start should set you up for success. In my setup, i'd want the leaves to reach the edge of my pot by day 20.

If you have too little light intensity, they'll typically stretch, have wide nodal spacing and not be vigourous.
Too much light intensity can encourage them not to stretch and have tight nodal spacing (can lead to small er bushy plants)

So it's partly down to knowing your equipment, which most people do by keeping notes of their grows and making adjustments on the next until they're happy with the results.

There's probably a way of measuring Light Intensity / DLI / Par (i'm no scientist) with meters, and that could lead to a scientific conclusion of exact light height at various stages of growth - which "should" take care of all the plants lighting needs .

THere'll be other factors to factor in - Temps, humidity, air exchange, and correct nutrition.

Once that's all dialed in .. if a plant turns out small .. you can be quite confident that it's genetics or at least a phenotype of the gentics you're using.

edit: Ugh .. just realised that everyones answered this post already lol .. and the real question is ... how long does it take from 12/12 to see flowering.

I had one that didnt auto - here is my journal from day 2 of 12/12

https://www.autoflower.org/threads/sweet-seeds-blow-mind.70516/post-2087493

It took me about 12 days to start flowering and 19 to see buds!

Hope this helps
Blue ^_^

 

[Jpkindbud]

Your plants look real healthy! Since you have photo and auto in the same tent, 12/12 is the best option. 3 days on 12/12 won’t show you anything as of yet. My photos didn’t show for about 2 weeks after switch. You should be good though… is your Mylar semi transparent? If so you may want to check for light leaks… light getting into grow space when lights are off. It won’t affect autos much but it’ll screw photos up! Peace!

Oops I reviewed your pics, it’s semi transparent as I cal see lights on through wall. May want to find a light weight tarp to surround your space to isolate it from ambient light… just trying to help

 

[Jpkindbud]

Oops I reviewed your pics, it’s semi transparent as I cal see lights on through wall. May want to find a light weight tarp to surround your space to isolate it from ambient light… just trying to help

Or double up on the Mylar…?

 

[perceptivejoe]

Your plants look real healthy! Since you have photo and auto in the same tent, 12/12 is the best option. 3 days on 12/12 won’t show you anything as of yet. My photos didn’t show for about 2 weeks after switch. You should be good though… is your Mylar semi transparent? If so you may want to check for light leaks… light getting into grow space when lights are off. It won’t affect autos much but it’ll screw photos up! Peace!

Well the only lite leaks I see so far (by the way it’s in its own room) are the red led off equipment operating (small) and the actual ac unit in the widow with some lite coming through the vent (kinda second generation lite if that makes sense) but room is shut down at 9:00 pm till morning. But the Mylar does pretty good, I was thinking of wrapping with another layer but after this grow I rewrap and start again fresh. So, glad to hear they look healthy but at this point I have to say no longer a fan of the autos, you can keep them. Their like a problem child and I haven’t had the issues most have had by a long shot. But here’s my question with auto because of limited experience with them; why other than confined areas which need smaller plants, why? I mean, if we can flip photos anytime we want by changing the light cycle, what’s the need for autos? When your tired of waiting, just flip the light schedule. Am I missing something? Because dealing with these autos and throwing together genetics without a good system in place to ensure great product for buyers is at best a 60% success rate. And for the money, I’ll go for photos from here on out because if there are issues, you have time to fix them and you can flower when you want anyway right? More yield on photos, less stressed plants, size is up to you. Not spending another penny on autos, seems like a really grey area with less chance of success, less yield, shit if they flower at all ! And all the while hearing breeders state openly “no refunds, no guarantees except through germination and even then it’s still a pain to go back and forth dealing with these people. I believe autos are a ripoff and if you don’t want drama stay away.

 

[blue]

I’ll go for photos from here on out because if there are issues, you have time to fix them and you can flower when you want anyway right?

Sounds like a good plan!

More yield on photos,

Yes .. (sometimes) if you veg them for longer = longer grow.

I believe autos are a ripoff and if you don’t want drama stay away.

I think you're either in the wrong place .. or haven't looked around enough!



But ulitmately, it's whatever makes you happy!

I believe that if you've got the skill to grow a good autoflower, you can get 5 harvests a year .... and with those skills applied to a photoperiod plant, you'll have a very easy time.

I like both .. but autos offer me more variety, and i can usually finish one in around 70 days.

Good luck in the future!
All the best
Blue ^_^

 

[perceptivejoe]

Sounds like a good plan!



Yes .. (sometimes) if you veg them for longer = longer grow.



I think you're either in the wrong place .. or haven't looked around enough!



But ulitmately, it's whatever makes you happy!

I believe that if you've got the skill to grow a good autoflower, you can get 5 harvests a year .... and with those skills applied to a photoperiod plant, you'll have a very easy time.

I like both .. but autos offer me more variety, and i can usually finish one in around 70 days.

Good luck in the future!
All the best
Bliue ^_^

Yep exactly my point. You grow an awesome plant healthy in or around 70 Days. Presently I’m day 60 and no sign of flower, photos are 90-120 days and triple yields more than autos. And even if I flower early with a photo I’ll STILL get more yield than an auto by comparison. And since I have no intention of selling, I’ll give away weed. If I smoke like a mad man I won’t get through 2oz a month if I try. Thanks for your opinion, it’s valued but it seems the smart decision for me forward are photos until these breeders get better at their systems and better geneticists. They spend more time FIXING problem orders and shipping issues than ACTUALLY improving their technology for better results. It’s clear to me it’s more important for them to get your money and worry about any issues later, which they inadvertently placed now on the consumer. Well done. Photos from now on, not worth the hassle. And as far as yield? Well this is a pic of another failed auto, are these the yields? No thanks, photos baby, photos.

 

[blue]

And as far as yield? Well this is a pic of another failed auto, are these the yields?

No ..... these aren't the yields you're looking for!

 

[Bill.de.Cat]

Yep exactly my point. You grow an awesome plant healthy in or around 70 Days. Presently I’m day 60 and no sign of flower, photos are 90-120 days and triple yields more than autos. And even if I flower early with a photo I’ll STILL get more yield than an auto by comparison. And since I have no intention of selling, I’ll give away weed. If I smoke like a mad man I won’t get through 2oz a month if I try. Thanks for your opinion, it’s valued but it seems the smart decision for me forward are photos until these breeders get better at their systems and better geneticists. They spend more time FIXING problem orders and shipping issues than ACTUALLY improving their technology for better results. It’s clear to me it’s more important for them to get your money and worry about any issues later, which they inadvertently placed now on the consumer. Well done. Photos from now on, not worth the hassle. And as far as yield? Well this is a pic of another failed auto, are these the yields? No thanks, photos baby, photos.

Photos fail too

Notice the little one center front, was 1/3 the size of same strain in the back.

 

[Bill.de.Cat]

Photos fail too
View attachment 1338421
Notice the little one center front, was 1/3 the size of same strain in the back.

And it's sitting up on bricks

 

[Jpkindbud]

Sorry, we welcome both here! I started with photos in the long ago… cuz that’s what we had. Earlier years for autos were bad from what I heard. With the right training some strains can yield 10-20 oz per plant. 4-6 of them in a 4x4 tent would be a haul in 70 days as compared to 8 wk veg and then another 3-4 month flower of as many as can fit in the same space (3-4). Also makes perpetual grows easy as you never change light cycles so you can introduce and remove plants as they sprout/finish. For me it was an easy choice, not that I won’t grow photos ever again cuz I got some good photo strains that I’m itching to try!