Unpopular opinion

[ThatOneKenGuy]

Why are autos marketed so heavily to new growers?

I've never grown a thing, and autos seem really delicate and finicky with their hand grenade style flowering. Make a simple noob mistake on your auto, and there goes your harvest.

Seems photos are a lot more forgiving, since they can be maintained in veg indefinitely. Over watering your photo in the beginning and possibly stunting it seems like it would be a lot more treatable than with an auto, along with the myriad of other mistakes that new growers make, since veg can be controlled to the point where the plant recovers.

I just want to know if my thinking is right on this? Like, "why auto?" is kinda where I'm at with it.

 

[CannabisMingus]

I've never grown a thing, and autos seem really delicate and finicky with their hand grenade style flowering. Make a simple noob mistake on your auto, and there goes your harvest.

IMHO they are marketed to the new grower because of speed and convenience. I agree they can be more temperamental. However, I think you exaggerate their difficulty. You would be surprised at how much abuse C. sativa can take and still produce quality flower (I should know - I have tortured plenty).

 

[blue]

It takes away the step of initiating flower ... which appeals to a new grower (or .. well maybe in the old days ... changing between blue and red blubs)

But i agree .. growing a photoperiod is easier than an autoflower. ... And by that, i mean a totally new grower is more likely to get a harvest from a photoperiod than from an autoflower.

I'm glad i learned to grow Autos first, and when i grow photoperiods, my olny consideration is how much space i have and when to 12/12

 

[Hashsloth]

Just grow the plants people,quit thinking about how to grow them that much. Marijuana used to be simple to grow(well it still is) but with legalization and all that,the market has been flooded with people who have over complicated things...all because they have a new product to hock off one you or just want to be super scientific and looked up to.

I've been smoking almost daily for 25 years and I don't put that much effort into growing and I manage to harvest lots of satisfying smoke.

Keep it simple....you won't regret it. I see too many new growers that are hung up on every little thing and it ends up screwing them because they over complicated an easy growing scenario.

 

[Frank the Dank]

Also, you can have multiple plants at different stages in the same tent. So, if you’re worried about the learning curve, you can germ one seed….do what you need to do to get it going, and once that plant is say, 20 days old and you’ve learned a little, start another and so on. Plus that will set you up for a nice perpetual harvest.

Also, when it comes to photos, I would say the #1 mistake new growers deal with is hermies caused by light leaks. Autos eliminate that issue all together.

 

[CannabisMingus]

Also, you can have multiple plants at different stages in the same tent.

Great point.

 

[ExNavyInSTL]

I'm only on my second grow. The first was photoperiods. I made a few mistakes only the way, but the bud turned out good.

Now, I am on my first autoflower grow. I could be considered an overthinker if you look at my grow link in my signature because I am writing everything down. It helps me feel engaged in the project. I'm also blending my love of photography into the project.

The truth is I like the idea of perpetual growth. That's the appeal to me. I don't have to worry about light leaks, or throwing a new plant in at any time.

As for my detailed grow, it may look like overthinking but I know it really comes down to environment, nutrition and lighting (mostly - assuming the genetics are good). The rest of the details are there to make me happy.

I guess in the end I want to be able so say, "Look what I grew," instead of "look what grew."

 

[Badfinger]

I blame my wife for my attraction to autoflowers, in my world, difficult is a way of life! And 3 months vs 5 months is a nice feature too

 

[FarmerJake]

Why are autos marketed so heavily to new growers?

Beyond new growers, it may also seem as though autos are being marketed more heavily within the seed market simply because most people who grow autos are buying far more seeds than the typical photo grower. Many of my friends who grow photos never use seeds at all, with readily available clones and then their own mother. The potential for repeat seed sales are just higher on the auto flower side of the market.
Also for a new grower quicker is slicker, I for one moved to a legal state and wanted to harvest ASAP as I couldn’t afford flower at the Recreational prices( and black market is hard to find when new to town and not even desirable) and even the dispensary prices are unpalatable. Auto flowers had that problem solved in 75 days.

 

[CannabisMingus]

The potential for repeat seed sales are just higher on the auto flower side of the market.

Good point - never thought about that.