The Art of The Auto

Slayer545 said:

My problem is the cold weather, temps drop as low as 45F during the night period, during the day they don't raise above about 58F, i know this is stupidly low but the AF's are so resiliant and don't seem to suffer too badly, in fact the cold helps them stretch thus avoiding the whole bud rot due to low temps, think it goe's back to that "Heart of a Lion" someone mentioned earlier!!

Click to expand...

I have to agree they do have hearts like lions, can grow anywhere!

FullDuplex said:

And thats all i needed was some one who was successful with a hydro setup. Someone i can reference with and share their experiences with. If you were successful and got a yield and didn't kill them something you did was right and thats all we need as a building block glad to have you here lenny

Click to expand...

I can say that the hydro setup was much easier than I expected. In fact, may have worked out better than I needed it to, hence the the large growth and burnt tips due to it growing too close to my grow light. Only real issue I had to watch out for was during the last week or two making sure the reservoir had enough water. Plant was going through a gallon of water every 2 days.

teflondummy said:

I have one that I pollinated and It is looking ripe but the seeds I have popped off of it won't germ yet. I am thinking it will have to go a little longer. Any one have experience with growing for seed stock?

Click to expand...

Funny you bring this up. I have had experience with photo girls seeding but not to many autos. this is the one thing that is new to me that i am still very green in or at least i feel this way.
I just recently spoke with Mossy on this exact same subject. I too have a preggo PJ atm and was wondering the same question when will they be done?

His response was 4 weeks after pollination takes place is the typical "done" time for the seeds, also told me to let them dry for 2 weeks before i even try to germ them out.
This will keep from non germs as well as mutants and stumpies

Can I start with a couple of Tips...

I grow in universal compo only..no pre-ferts..
and I find that my plants sometimes need a little ferts a couple of days before sex.

IF I see them slow a bit round the 10-14 day mark..I mix a Teaspoon sugar to pint of water..
Feed it to them at night..and if the leaves look as if they have perked up..lifted..by morning
then they are asking for a feed.
IF they need a feed..I use 1/4 strength.

I have seen a Lot more people damage girls by giving them Too much food..than too little.
IF in doubt..leave it out.

On the seed thing...
I find on my conditions..seed takes about 4 weeks from fert to finish..
But..
different genetics..different grow conditions can alter this..
so take as a guide..and tailor your times in to your conditions...genetics

IF you are not sure.
remove 1 middle bud..
leave to wilt overnight..then pop the seed and see what % you have ripe.
If you are happy..take it down.

If you watch the calyx..it will go a softer colour and crepey..it loosens round the seed.
THAT is normally the best indicator that they are ripe.


Germing times..
I have actually germed seed from a Mother before she was even cut from the soil...
But..
Optimum timing is around 10 days dry..

Pushing them too early generally results in bad germ..or crappy plants..
not worth the waste of lights and compo.

again depending on your individual conditions.

When you receive seeds through the post..ALWAYS put them somewhere to dry gently for a couple of days..
seeds germ Better when they are DRY..

AF's cold and mold..
I grow AF's outdoor for most of the season..
I am lucky because although we get cold..I have high light levels.
I've had mine outdoor down to air frost..
and they never mold..
But..
if I see a patch of dank/cloud coming on the 3 day forecast..
I flush and stop the ferts..
Ferts..plus low conditions..almost invariably lead to MOLD in AF's.

JM

ps - just kidding around about the closet dude..I'm neither in or out eiher... just wanted to make everybody crack a smile

Click to expand...

I have smiled at a few of them..I think we have the same humour...
I keep thinking you must have children in the house..
because I'm sure that is where I got mine.

(Anybody that has ever lived with teenagers will either crack-up or develop a wry sense of humour..)

Cheers for all that info m8..I shall have a good read this weekend.

I’ve learned a lot from these folks since I decided that auto-flowers were the best for my current situation.

Click to expand...

Yes, I have definitely learned allot from these cats and continue to learn more every day. Not to mention that they are a bunch of cool ass mofo's.

HATS OFF TO YOU GUYS!!!

Click to expand...

Weeelll..we may have Started it..
but you are all doing it now..
the amount of info coming into the thread now is amazing.

Everyone is helping..advising..supporting everyone else..
thats the way it should be..... ..

Thanks Hitman, i've never noticed them being affected but it's just they look so good you want to stare at them even when there sleeping!!

Click to expand...

OMG....
Stub out that smoke..raise your right hand and repeat after me...

"My name is...insert as necessary...
I am an AF CannAHolic..."

Click to expand...

Throw an extra chair in the group therapy room FullD...
we have another one..

Sirens..

I guess I will just have to be more patient. I will just feel relieved when I can get one to sprout. I don't want to have to order seed every time and I would like to have enough to gift a few out.

glad to have you here lenny

Click to expand...

Yup...that Beaut says you are qualified in Hydro to me...

Well grown m8..she is brilliant...

How tall is she..20ins...?

Smell will become more distinct as she cures..dries..
and your nose will become more accustomed to the different smells the more you grow...

I have one that I pollinated and It is looking ripe but the seeds I have popped off of it won't germ yet. I am thinking it will have to go a little longer. Any one have experience with growing for seed stock?

Click to expand...

Have you dried them enough m8...
If a seed has matured..nothing much stops them..unless you are trying to germ too fast.

Put a seed on it's end between your teeth and bite down gently..
does the calyx crack..
and does the seed taste..fresh..slightly nutty..

If so..they should be okay..
just wait another week before you try again.

How long have you had them drying..?

mossys said:

AF's cold and mold..
I grow AF's outdoor for most of the season..
I am lucky because although we get cold..I have high light levels.
I've had mine outdoor down to air frost..
and they never mold..
But..
if I see a patch of dank/cloud coming on the 3 day forecast..
I flush and stop the ferts..
Ferts..plus low conditions..almost invariably lead to MOLD in AF's.

Click to expand...

Great thing to know as well as great timing, this is a prime example of why this thread has been so successful

i am coming into the colder months with my op and was wondering what i may have to look out for. this will be the first time that i have grown year round. i usually shut things down for the colder months but i did not want to this year. So this is an even better time to test my soil as i wll not be adding any nutes on this run unless they need it. Cause i dont want to loose a crop either

(Anybody that has ever lived with teenagers will either crack-up or develop a wry sense of humour..)

Click to expand...

I agree, even the little ones tend to make you think different. But you have to have a sense of humor with them if not they'll drive you up a wall.

Weeelll..we may have Started it..
but you are all doing it now..
the amount of info coming into the thread now is amazing.

Everyone is helping..advising..supporting everyone else..
thats the way it should be..... ..

Click to expand...

I agree, we got the ball rolling but its the rest of you guys in here that are doing it up!
Like you said EVERYONE is helping, the vibe here is fantastic and the thread is full of a butt load of information that is priceless.
Most of the time this kinda info has to dug for but what good is it to hide it all?
All i can say is keep doing what you are doing guys and this will end up being epic i do believe

Throw an extra chair in the group therapy room FullD...
we have another one..

Click to expand...

Already out and waiting on him to join in

Ok so i have one more question to add in here. I have been doing my germs direct to soil for some time. Stopped using the paper towel method in order to handle them as less a possible. I have had a certain thing happen to me 3 times now since i have started doing this, thing is its all happened with the same strain which in turn makes in interesting.

I usually plant them button down and have never had an issue with them trying to grow upside down. Now i have had three do this and have had to turn them. One was on a previous germ, she made it and was a good smoke, the other two happened in this last germ and i had to turn them around again. Checked on this this morning and one is doing well and the other seems to be fine too.

What could be causing this? Never had an issue with one before but this one particular strain has had three out of 10 so far. Just some interesting stuff to mull over.

Hope everyone has a great weekend, I know i will as its canna tests out the yen yang

2 part question...
1 how many AFs could I fit under a 600w hps or a 400w hps? I had decided on a 600 but now that i'm going to go the AF route i'm not sure i need that much. Space and heat wont be an issue either way.
2 i know this would be a ballpark estimate at best but how much could i yield realistically under a 600 vs a 400 with an average yielding AF strain?
I'd like to try to get by with two 1 lb grows a year for me and my dad's med supplies. just not sure if thats realistic or not. i also plan on doing some breeding for fun but yield isn't an issue there so it will probably only be a few plants at a time.
thanks

mossys said:

Yup...that Beaut says you are qualified in Hydro to me...

Well grown m8..she is brilliant...

How tall is she..20ins...?

Smell will become more distinct as she cures..dries..
and your nose will become more accustomed to the different smells the more you grow...

Click to expand...

Pretty close! It finished up around 22 inches. Really pushed the limits of my small grow space. I'll be working on that issue for future grows. Like I said, it pushed itself too close to the grow lights and I didnt catch it in time. Been focusing on the purple plant and didnt pay close enough attention, but no major damage done. Some dried leaf tips and the top cola had some dried buds, but nothing a little trimming didnt fix!

I am not sure what the photoperiod guys are talking about. For a plant this size, and the time it took, I can not complain about the yield! I'll try to weigh it when dry, but going to be quite a bit. This photo is of half the total yield.

FullDuplex said:

Already out and waiting on him to join in

Click to expand...

I'm in people! I have no more useful information to add but im here!

Actually FullD i plant my beans straight in to the soil without sprouting them first, never had any problems with them growing upside down, it's a good method for autos, out of all them only 1 hasn't sprout.

hydrolenny said:

Been focusing on the purple plant and didnt pay close enough attention,

Click to expand...

See those colored bitches will do that to you. You spot the color and then its like it sucks you in to its wonderful trap

This photo is of half the total yield.

Click to expand...

Nicely done and i have to agree this plant deff gives you the requirements to be our token hydro guy lol

and the reason photo guys grumble is that they dont do well with change and new development. Just like anyone else deep set in their ways.
The know that gene pool started with a ruderalis but dont like to think that we have made any kind of forward progress.
BUT we all KNOW better
I have fallen in love with autos but that doesn't mean that i care any less for photo girls, they just take longer to get what i want
i get great yields and a mature tric in 8 weeks.

Slayer545 said:

I'm in people! I have no more useful information to add but im here!

Actually FullD i plant my beans straight in to the soil without sprouting them first, never had any problems with them growing upside down, it's a good method for autos, out of all them only 1 hasn't sprout.

Click to expand...

I am sure that you will and i know that over time i will learn something new from you

see me either and then one last round and then two this round never seen it before. I usually turn them around and they do fine, but id like to prevent this in the future

just kinda weird

FarmingNinja said:

2 part question...
1 how many AFs could I fit under a 600w hps or a 400w hps? I had decided on a 600 but now that i'm going to go the AF route i'm not sure i need that much. Space and heat wont be an issue either way.
2 i know this would be a ballpark estimate at best but how much could i yield realistically under a 600 vs a 400 with an average yielding AF strain?
I'd like to try to get by with two 1 lb grows a year for me and my dad's med supplies. just not sure if thats realistic or not. i also plan on doing some breeding for fun but yield isn't an issue there so it will probably only be a few plants at a time.
thanks

Click to expand...

Hello mate, i use my 600 when ever i can, you will love the results. You can get rock hard nugs, if the genes are rite.

I have run 60 under a 600, well packed in there. I didn't run that many again, as getting in to watter them and check for nanners is a bloody mission. 4 per sqft is a good rule of thumb for smaller autos. I feel an average of 12-18 grams per plant is not reaching too high. I use 2 gal grow bags alot but i feel a 1gal air pot will do MORE than enough. Too often i break up the root ball and it isn't even to the edge of the bag.

I can get a lb from 20 autos under a 600, with other 12/12 clones going at the same time.. This is also after i have selected what phenos to work with for at least 3 generations. First grow from the seed pack your going to see variation in phenos.

FullDuplex said:

Ok so i have one more question to add in here. I have been doing my germs direct to soil for some time. Stopped using the paper towel method in order to handle them as less a possible. I have had a certain thing happen to me 3 times now since i have started doing this, thing is its all happened with the same strain which in turn makes in interesting.

I usually plant them button down and have never had an issue with them trying to grow upside down. Now i have had three do this and have had to turn them. One was on a previous germ, she made it and was a good smoke, the other two happened in this last germ and i had to turn them around again. Checked on this this morning and one is doing well and the other seems to be fine too.

What could be causing this? Never had an issue with one before but this one particular strain has had three out of 10 so far. Just some interesting stuff to mull over.

Hope everyone has a great weekend, I know i will as its canna tests out the yen yang

Click to expand...

I had one jump out of the soil. It looked like a little tadpole trying to get away. I have never had any problem with using the paper towel method. I just don't know how much stress that really causes. nimble fingers and a little care can't hurt but so mutch

Forgot to mention that the little fugitive sprout has grown wildly since I stuck her ass back in the dirt

teflondummy said:

I had one jump out of the soil. It looked like a little tadpole trying to get away. I have never had any problem with using the paper towel method. I just don't know how much stress that really causes. nimble fingers and a little care can't hurt but so mutch

Click to expand...

Yeah I do the same thing. I just make sure to NOT touch the tap root.

Since i see alot of people asking about soil mixes, this is what i use on my autos on the regular and for the most part i don't have to add many fancy ferts to the waterings. Aside from the boosters.

all mixes are assuming you are using a 2gal pot/bag to grow in. I also mix everything in a 80L tupperware before i put them in the bags. Soo.

Into your 80 liter / mixing container. I usually get to fill 10 bags with the soil i mix, so adjust your accordingly.

1) I put Half full of base medium, you can use coco/peat/compost what ever. I usually use a peat based product, as money only alows so much some times.
2) I will add 10/15 cups of sheep manuer. People use chicken.. Some one told me it makes your buds sweater.. dunno, but i use it. Do some reading on what you are going to add for manuer some take longer to break down.
3) If i have welcome harvest grow on hand, i add about 10 cups. About 1 cup per gallon of soil for your container. IF i have no welcome harvest i'll put in 5 or 6 more cups of sheep.
4) I try to put in about 10/15 cups of blood and bone meal, so for me i put in a half box of the stuff. Autos go into bud so soon you want your soil to be a bit heavy on the flower addatives.
5) If you have rock phosphate, this is a good time to add about 5 cups to your container. Round about 1/4 to 1/2 cup per 2/gal.
6) I'll usually add in a good bit of perlite, couldn't tell you how much, but you want enough that your soil isn't going to compact. Air pockets in the soil are KEY
7) I fill the rest in with worm castings. This stuff is the magic. It brings in microlife, micro nutes and all sorts of good stuff for the soil. Which is why it is called a natural chleating agent.
1 tbs per gal of dolomimtic lime.. Crushed pls

If you can find GREEN SAND... this stuff is good too. 1 cup per gal.. ALSO!!! i almost forgot.. the kelp!!! i swear by this shit. 2 to 3 cups per 2 gal bag... I Love my kelp.. Roids i swear.. Even in teas... good good good.

ANYTHING that had a OMRI rating on the bottle is safe to water to an organic media. Charcole from a fire is good for flower nutes, high in PK.. Don't know what ratios tho.. sorry.. google


That is the base of what i grow in, some plants need you to bubble some manuer with your molasis/comp teas but for the most part you can get by with that. Plants that are heavy on cal/mag you'll need to do that yourself, epsom salt watered has worked for me. Cal/mag from botanicare is ok on micro life. Not the + one.

Also a good idea to let this sit for a week, and turn at 3 days. You want to get the microlife going in there before you plant into it. You can burn plants when you plant into orgaincs that hasn't been colonized yet. The build up is alot for a plant.
Don't plant seedlings into this.. 14 dayers at least. Or your going to grow a bunch of males.

I water with rain water when ever i can, whe it's dry i am on a RO system. I don't PH my water.. Don't even look at it unmless one is looking off. Hasn't failed me yet. Pure clean burnign goodness that STINKS!!!!!!! Organic buds have a certain pungentness to them.

There is room to move on the amounts, i haven't burnt a plant yet doing this. Have been able to up the flower addatives pretty good with no adverse affects. Even adding the bone meal to my teas durring flower.
Bh.

The first 3 pics are of a Pakistan ryder at 27 days...... the 4th pic is a ak48 at 24 days..... the 5th pic is a blue himalaya at 19 days. Just giving everyone an update on the progress the girls have made. i made a few adjustments to them after receiving some much appreciated comments and suggextions from everyone on this site. thanks alot for the help and also for the comments. As before, i am open to any suggestions and help. This is my first grow ever and i am enjoying it fully. It is very addicting and after these 3 plants are complete, i plan on germing 3 more seeds and doing it all over again. Bigger and better with each grow. Thanks everyone and happy growing to all.....

b.R. said:

View attachment 1278322View attachment 1278320View attachment 1278319View attachment 1278318View attachment 1278321
The first 3 pics are of a Pakistan ryder at 27 days...... the 4th pic is a ak48 at 24 days..... the 5th pic is a blue himalaya at 19 days. Just giving everyone an update on the progress the girls have made. i made a few adjustments to them after receiving some much appreciated comments and suggextions from everyone on this site. thanks alot for the help and also for the comments. As before, i am open to any suggestions and help. This is my first grow ever and i am enjoying it fully. It is very addicting and after these 3 plants are complete, i plan on germing 3 more seeds and doing it all over again. Bigger and better with each grow. Thanks everyone and happy growing to all.....

Click to expand...

Looks fantastic

Job well done on bringing that blue himalaya back around. glad to see the leaf tissue wasnt damaged too bad
got that green right back in them

Keep up the good work