first run with auto-flowers

CCCmints

CCCmints

Well-Known Member
i'm planning to run some auto northern-lights plants outside in a pvc greenhouse (like the one pictured below).


so they will be grown outdoors but encased in greenhouse plastic to keep them safe. i'm wondering what the best nutrient line and soil mix would be for auto flowering plants. i'm also wondering if they seem to respond best to a certain training method? and does everyone agree that 3 gallon plants are best? i was hoping to try them in 5 gallons but don't want to do that if it's a mistake.

how much water do you think each plant will need throughout it's life? i have to try and come up with a number for this because i need to know how much water i'm going to need at my spot.
 
CCCmints

CCCmints

Well-Known Member
no one has anything they're willing to contribute?

main things i'm hoping to gain insight on:
-soil mix
-is super soil good for autos?
-nutrient line
-training techniques
-are things like topping too stressful for an autoflower?

what do these plants really yield when grown outdoors? i've heard anything between 2 oz. - 7 oz.
 
ArseneHH

ArseneHH

Member
I don't want to say anything wrong but i`m accumulating information for almost one year now for my oncoming outdoor autoflower grow this year and what I heard from almost everyone on the internet is that topping for autoflowers is very stressfull, but nothing they can't survive though. Super soil isn't good either, you need to use something light, like bio-bizz light mix. As for the nutrients, I`m still trying to convince myself which are better. Oh, and, you're asking about the yield, i think 2 oz is the bare minimum for a decent grow in general. I saw a grow with Auto Ultimate with an 600 grams harvest from two plants.
Sorry for my bad english, I`m romanian.
Edit: And the most used pots for autos are the 3 gall ones
 
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TopDogTHC

TopDogTHC

Well-Known Member
ArseneHH has given you some good information.

Topping and pot size is debatable. Some say not to top and just LST. Others say topping works for them. You'll have to decide which your going to do as you'll revieve mixed opinions.

As for pot size they say the bigger the better for autos. But I've read that 2-3 gallon pots are sufficient. Mine are in 2.2 gallon pots and have hit the height it said on the seed stats. Also no signs of roots out the bottom holes. So again you'll receive different opinions.

As for nutrients I came across some specifically for autos on eBay last night but can't remember the name. I'll look after and post if I can find them again but you should be able to find them using Google anyway. But there are loads to choose from. You don't need special nutes just the same for any other cannabis plant but at a reduced dose. I'm using IONIC grow, bloom and PK Boost by Growth Technology.

Now for water there are to many variables to give an accurate amount but your obviously going to want more than needed to be sure. Let's say you use a 3 gallon pot, 4 litres per water, Water up to 2 times per week thats 8 litres per week, so 80 litres for 10 weeks per pot. First few weeks you won't need to give a full water until the roots have filled out a bit so that will leave some spare. I'd also add extra to allow if it runs past the 10 weeks (as they can sometimes go 2-4 weeks longer) then extra again to be sure. I'd have an uneducated guess of 100-120 litres per plant.
 
TopDogTHC

TopDogTHC

Well-Known Member
The nutrients are by Dutch Pro, specifically for Autos. Reputable name from what I've read.

This sub forum can be slow at times. Hence the lack of input.
 
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billytimmy

billytimmy

Well-Known Member
CCCmints said:
no one has anything they're willing to contribute?

main things i'm hoping to gain insight on:
-soil mix
-is super soil good for autos?
-nutrient line
-training techniques
-are things like topping too stressful for an autoflower?

what do these plants really yield when grown outdoors? i've heard anything between 2 oz. - 7 oz.
Click to expand...
use the search function man you are asking too much
 
CCCmints

CCCmints

Well-Known Member
billytimmy said:
use the search function man you are asking too much
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you've been here 2 months. i don't think that's long enough for you to tell me how to use this site. this thread is a form of research, obviously. spam my thread one more time and i will report your post. bye.

edit: wow. one of your threads is asking whether or not your plant is an autoflower.../facepalm

the other is you questioning simple autoflower growing aspects, similar to this thread here. yeah, don't reply to my threads anymore. you are not welcome on them.
 
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vino4russ

vino4russ

Well-Known Member
Not sure what parts of the country your in but I am in CA and my area we use super soil with vermiculite and worm castings mix that works for me nicely.

Nutes - Fox Farms line is great, I use Alaska brand liquid ferts as it cannot burn with a supplement of Espoma dry fertilizer that has micro-nutes for the roots.

Good luck
 
CCCmints

CCCmints

Well-Known Member
ArseneHH said:
I don't want to say anything wrong but i`m accumulating information for almost one year now for my oncoming outdoor autoflower grow this year and what I heard from almost everyone on the internet is that topping for autoflowers is very stressfull, but nothing they can't survive though. Super soil isn't good either, you need to use something light, like bio-bizz light mix. As for the nutrients, I`m still trying to convince myself which are better. Oh, and, you're asking about the yield, i think 2 oz is the bare minimum for a decent grow in general. I saw a grow with Auto Ultimate with an 600 grams harvest from two plants.
Sorry for my bad english, I`m romanian.
Edit: And the most used pots for autos are the 3 gall ones
Click to expand...
ok, so no topping, no super soil. nutes to be determined. 2 oz bare minimum is fine with me. i'm wondering how far i can push auto flowers. you heard anything about top yielders (strains)? i'll look into that grow if i can find it. 10 oz off an auto flower plant is crazy!!
TopDogTHC said:
ArseneHH has given you some good information.

Topping and pot size is debatable. Some say not to top and just LST. Others say topping works for them. You'll have to decide which your going to do as you'll revieve mixed opinions.

As for pot size they say the bigger the better for autos. But I've read that 2-3 gallon pots are sufficient. Mine are in 2.2 gallon pots and have hit the height it said on the seed stats. Also no signs of roots out the bottom holes. So again you'll receive different opinions.

As for nutrients I came across some specifically for autos on eBay last night but can't remember the name. I'll look after and post if I can find them again but you should be able to find them using Google anyway. But there are loads to choose from. You don't need special nutes just the same for any other cannabis plant but at a reduced dose. I'm using IONIC grow, bloom and PK Boost by Growth Technology.

Now for water there are to many variables to give an accurate amount but your obviously going to want more than needed to be sure. Let's say you use a 3 gallon pot, 4 litres per water, Water up to 2 times per week thats 8 litres per week, so 80 litres for 10 weeks per pot. First few weeks you won't need to give a full water until the roots have filled out a bit so that will leave some spare. I'd also add extra to allow if it runs past the 10 weeks (as they can sometimes go 2-4 weeks longer) then extra again to be sure. I'd have an uneducated guess of 100-120 litres per plant.
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this is partly why for my first and maybe even second run, all plants will be of the same strain. i just saw a guy went with 10 gallon pots and came out with some fucking monsters. i think i'll try at-least one in 10, most in 5, and the rest in 3. my instinct tells me to go with 5.

hmm, specific for autos you say. what i'm really wondering is the differences, if any, between the way autoflowers and photoperiod plants intake and use nutrients. do auto flowers eat less? more? do they need more of a certain element and less of another? i've surely got a lot of research to do. woops, i've read further into your post and now see you've said it doesn't seem to matter what nutes but feed them less. ok, got it.

well, you do say they need less food, but i'd be shocked if each plant only needed 25 gallons of water for an entire grow. that's crazy low to me. i guess we'll see what happens.

thanks for the input everyone!!! more is welcome!
 
TopDogTHC

TopDogTHC

Well-Known Member
CCCmints said:
this
is partly why for my first and maybe even second run, all plants will be of the same strain. i just saw a guy went with 10 gallon pots and came out with some fucking monsters. i think i'll try at-least one in 10, most in 5, and the rest in 3. my instinct tells me to go with 5.

hmm, specific for autos you say. what i'm really wondering is the differences, if any, between the way autoflowers and photoperiod plants intake and use nutrients. do auto flowers eat less? more? do they need more of a certain element and less of another? i've surely got a lot of research to do. woops, i've read further into your post and now see you've said it doesn't seem to matter what nutes but feed them less. ok, got it.

well, you do say they need less food, but i'd be shocked if each plant only needed 25 gallons of water for an entire grow. that's crazy low to me. i guess we'll see what happens.

thanks for the input everyone!!! more is welcome!
Click to expand...
Pot size is up to you, bigger the pot the more water and nutes you'll need. So if water is an issue it'd be silly to waste it having to use more in bigger pots if not needed. If your going to run a fair few then what you have suggested sounds OK to use diff size pots. I'd personally run half in 3s and half in 5s. See how I get on, if I don't hit any problems I'd run a couple of 10s on the next grow to find out for myself if pot size really does matter.

They say to start at 1/8 strength nutes and work up to 1/2, I don't know the science behind it, would be interesting to know it, I'm going to look Into it so will share what I find unless someone else does first. If your getting nutes specifically for autos then you'd follow the schedule it says.

I've used roughly 25L of water on each of mine up to now, plus a couple of litres pre watering soil. So let's say 27L per plant and I'm nearly at 9 weeks. I can't see it going past 50L. Its on the hot side in my tent too so expect it to evaporate quickly. Your grow will be different obviously because its outdoor and the tent will be larger, but its just to put it into perspective. Like I said though, to many variables to give an accurate amount. Why's water such an issue? What's the situation?
 
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CCCmints

CCCmints

Well-Known Member
TopDogTHC said:
Pot size is up to you, bigger the pot the more water and nutes you'll need. So if water is an issue it'd be silly to waste it having to use more in bigger pots if not needed. If your going to run a fair few then what you have suggested sounds OK to use diff size pots. I'd personally run half in 3s and half in 5s. See how I get on, if I don't hit any problems I'd run a couple of 10s on the next grow to find out for myself if pot size really does matter.

They say to start at 1/8 strength nutes and work up to 1/2, I don't know the science behind it, would be interesting to know it, I'm going to look Into it so will share what I find unless someone else does first. If your getting nutes specifically for autos then you'd follow the schedule it says.

I've used roughly 25L of water on each of mine up to now, plus a couple of litres pre watering soil. So let's say 27L per plant and I'm nearly at 9 weeks. I can't see it going past 50L. Its on the hot side in my tent too so expect it to evaporate quickly. Your grow will be different obviously because its outdoor and the tent will be larger, but its just to put it into perspective. Like I said though, to many variables to give an accurate amount. Why's water such an issue? What's the situation?
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i like your idea. mix of 3s and 5s it is.

i'll do some in-depth research on nutrients and post my findings here.

my first grow i did not measure the water but i know it absolutely used more than that. 5 gallon pots though. water is not an issue, but i need to see exactly how much space i'm working with. knowing how many water drums you have is important.
 
Budzbuddha

Budzbuddha

Well-Known Member
You can use a SUPERSOIL MIX with autos - i run 3s and 5s also and every one goes up to 4 foot plus. There are SUPERAUTO strains ( like Flash Seeds ) but found pretty much all auto seeds end up running longer ( than breeder estimates ).

Fox Farm ocean forest is a good overall nutes already in it. I can run a plant up to week 4/5 BEFORE supplementing a feeding . LST is the easiest way to train AUTOS since they are prone to stunting when topping or cropping. Their lifespan is too short to repair itself after cropping or topping.

My supersoil mix is based on the mix by @Superweedman
 
ArseneHH

ArseneHH

Member
CCCmints said:
ok, so no topping, no super soil. nutes to be determined. 2 oz bare minimum is fine with me. i'm wondering how far i can push auto flowers. you heard anything about top yielders (strains)? i'll look into that grow if i can find it. 10 oz off an auto flower plant is crazy!!]
Click to expand...
The most yielding strains I've seen been grown by now are Auto Ultimate that I told you someone on his grow took almost 600 grams out of two plants, others are Auto Mazar, and Auto Northern Light.. But the quality and quantity of each auto strain and weed in general, despite of being a regular or an auto, strictly depends on it's genetics and the breeder.
And ..as for what Budzbuddha said, I`m not against his opinion to use super soil ,but it's very ilogical, they're small plants, so they don't need the same quantity of soil nutrients like an regular strain, because they'll get burnt, you'll have to place the seed straight into the finishing pot, and it's very dangerous for the seed to germinate and grow his first days in a super soil ,also ,bigger pots will probably increase the yield, but by a very small quantity . That guy that has grown two ultimates and got 600 grams out of them dry weight, he's grown them in 15L airpots :).
So here's the difference, every thing depends on another, you can have 10 gal pots, but not enough light, and vice-versa, so you'd better save money by buying 3-5 gal pots for example, instead of 10 ,and add the money for soil ,or better nutrients, and so you will create a balance between every thing required in your grow, the results will be better.

*Sorry for bad english, I`m romanian.
 
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TopDogTHC

TopDogTHC

Well-Known Member
Well, good luck. You gunna run a journal?

Edit: Well in 5s you'd need roughly 2/3s of the estimate for 3 gallons. So an extra 80L That would be like 200L in total. Might be worth posting a in another sub forum for the water figure. See what other people say.
 
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Budzbuddha

Budzbuddha

Well-Known Member
As far as using a " supersoil " it an option i used as a NO NUTES added GROW.
Only water up to week 7 then Hydroplex for blooming supplements. I dont get burns because i let the plant take only what it wants from the soil.

The mix i use is not Over the Top ( too hot ). It is a simple mix based on The Moonshine Mix.

It works perfectly with AUTOS regardless of what the other poster said. I have done multiple grows with this and use no other mix. You MUST adjust the Happy Frog ( CRF ) ratio according to container size. The " Secret " is the ( CRF ) is at lower 1/3 of mix so that the flowering nutes are available when root mass seeks the the base of the container. The " Bloom " part of the nutes are there. I ONLY add water ( ph 6.2 ). Its not rocket science by letting the plant grow on its own without drowning it with feedings.
It works otherwise i wouldnt use it. :wall:

image.jpg image.jpg
 
Budzbuddha

Budzbuddha

Well-Known Member
Also to SQUASH that supersoil myth burns seedlings -
You put the supersoil at BASE - 50/50 mix of light warrior / FFOF at upper 2/3 of pot.

image.jpg
 
ArseneHH

ArseneHH

Member
I said supersoil in general, it's true that there are some types of supersoils and methods to do that don't burn seedlings :). I suppose that is CCCmints's first time with auto's if he's asking that information about autos, so why risking instead of creating a balance between everything, as I said in my post above and everyone suggests?
 
ryan1918

ryan1918

Well-Known Member
Yeah I would suggest not topping or training your plant in anyway, if you do want to do this, I would suggest getting something other then an auto flower plant, I think there is so many better things out there then auto flowers
 
TopDogTHC

TopDogTHC

Well-Known Member
Plant training on autos is widely debated. I'd say use LST at the very least. Ive been reading a fair bit latley and noticed more people saying they top and fim and get higher yields from doing so. It seems its another one of those things that differs from grower to grower and trying it yourself is the only way to see if it works. If I run autos again or upgrade to a larger tent I'll give topping a try for sure.
 
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