
A feminized BCN Critical XXL Autoflower. Photo credit: Seed Stockers.
Auto-flowering cannabis plants, aka autos, are one of the easiest and most practical ways for a first-time grower to produce a high-quality crop. Below are all the different factors that novice growers should consider to achieve the best indoor and outdoor results using autos. These cannabis plants are genetically created to start flowering independently without needing a 12-hour light and 12-hour darkness lighting regime.
Big Pots for Big Plants
Working with a large pot (5 gallons and above) will deliver big plants and yields. This allows for larger root masses, and in turn, larger plants. Avoid using small pots to prevent significantly smaller crops and disappointing end results.
Lighting Schedule
When grown indoors, autos thrive under intense lighting and the right environmental conditions. The ideal lighting schedule is 18 hours of light and 6 hours of dark. This lighting schedule should last for the entire duration of the grow, from seed to harvest, according to cultivation experts, Royal Queen Seeds.
Growing Multiple Varieties at Once
Thanks to the popularity of low-maintenance and easy-to-grow autos, growing multiple varieties at once has many benefits. Not only does planting many different autos in the same space provide a wide choice of flavors and effects, it will also be a great learning curve for beginner growers. For example, it teaches them about how different autos grow and adapt to their indoor or outdoor environment. Overall, growers will learn which cultivars best suit their methods.
Autoflowering Clones
Unfortunately, cloning autos is not recommended due to the fact that cuttings will not stay in a vegetative stage. This means they will begin to flower, and growing a mother plant is not possible, according to Sensi Seeds.
Pruning Autos for Increased Yields
The art of pruning cannabis plants involves carefully stripping away foliage to promote healthy growth, and allowing the plants to focus their energy on the upper part of the canopy. It is best to avoid over pruning autos to prevent inflicting too much stress, which can result in stunted growth, as advised by Flora Flex.
Perpetual Harvests Outdoors
Unlike photoperiod cannabis plants that are dependent on the changing of the seasons, autos have the ability to flower by themselves. This means that under the right circumstances and climate, an outdoor grower can easily achieve multiple harvests per year in comparison to the traditional photoperiod cultivars.
Tying and Topping
Training cannabis plants has many advantages and when it comes to autos, these methods can dramatically improve yields. Tying down and topping once the plant has developed three to four nodes is ideal. Applying these two training methods will allow the plants to promote vigorous growth, allowing more intense light to penetrate the canopy, according to seed company Zamnesia.
Autos are Ideal for Sea of Green Formations
The Sea of Green (SOG) method is a practical way to grow plants that produce big yields in small spaces. Autos are an excellent candidate for SOG set-ups, and do not require much maintenance and will reward beginner level growers with a superb yield, terpene profiles and top quality buds.
The Optimal Temperature and Humidity Indoors
Dialing in the correct temperature and humidity when growing autos indoors will ensure the plants produce the most vibrant and healthy growth and buds. Aiming for a consistent temperature from seed to harvest of 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit, combined with a relative humidity between 40%-60% will be the key to success. As Fast Buds—breeding experts on autoflowering genetics—recommends.
The Best Way to Feed Autos
Feeding autos is easy to do and straightforward. They will be dependent on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, secondary nutrients (Cal-Mag) and trace elements. Using liquid bottled nutrients will produce the best results because they are fast acting and deliver the best yields, as recommended by The Humboldt Seed Company.
Avoid Re-Potting Autoflowering Plants
Autos prefer to be kept in the same pot once they have reached the end of the fourth week of their life cycle. Avoid transplanting them once they have established themselves and begin to transition to flowering. This is because disrupting the roots by lifting them out of the growing medium can cause excess stress and may result in slow and stunted growth, according to Zamnesia.
Final Thoughts on Growing Autos
Not only are autos discreet, they require little maintenance. They are also well suited for small indoor grow spaces. Outdoors they can be harvested back-to-back throughout the year, rewarding inexperienced growers with multiple harvests of high-grade buds.
Growing autos can be a highly enjoyable experience and learning curve that ensures constant harvests, allowing growers to enjoy the best of both worlds.
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