First Autoflower Grow – Looking for Advice Before

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Hey everyone,

I’m getting ready for my first autoflower grow and wanted to get some advice from growers with more experience before I get started.

My current plan is:

  • Growing indoors in a small tent

  • Using fabric pots

  • LED lighting

  • Simple nutrient schedule

  • Autoflower genetics

A few questions:

  1. What pot size do you recommend for autos?

  2. Do you transplant or start directly in the final container?

  3. What light schedule has worked best for you (18/6, 20/4, or 24/0)?

  4. What are the most common mistakes beginners make with autoflowers?

  5. Any tips for maximizing yield without stressing the plants?

I’ve read a lot of guides, but I’d love to hear real-world experiences from this community.

Thanks in advance, and I’m looking forward to learning from everyone here! :seedling::green_heart:

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I’m far from an authority on AFs but here’s what Ive picked up here:

Five gallon fabric bags are fine. They breathe.

I usually transplant from biodegradable 3"pots. Nice low stress approach.

I’d recommend Mega Crop one. Simple and effective.

18/6 seems like a reasonable way to go. There’s no consensus on this.

You can top at the fifth node or bend the plant over to disrupt the apical dominance. This forces the lower branches to grow out and develop more bud sites.

Be sure and journal your grow.

Biggest mistake: not reaching out on AFN!

That’s the sum of my knowledge!

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  1. 3gal fabric pots

  2. No transplant, drop seed in final pot

  3. 18/6

  4. Not feeding strong enough; not enough light; defol too early; worrying about spots on leaves and altering nutes during the grow

  5. Leaf tuck the big fans and keep scissors out of the tent for the first month. No bending no topping no early defol

Good luck and keep asking questions! :victory_hand:

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Welcome @Mary_Helen26

You’re in the right place. Lots of expertise.

We need a bit more info ie your medium. Soil? Coco? Tent size? Wattage?

If you don’t have lights, talk to @AutoGrowerMo he builds lights and knows his stuff.

#1 mistake is Overfeeding and Overwatering. Fresh soil doesn’t need feeding just yet. When feeding start with ½ strength nutrients and make sure there is good drainage. Watch pH. 5.8-6.2 depending on medium.

#2 mistake is Doing Too Much. Especially as a beginner! Stick with simple training your first grow. As you learn the plant you will add more techniques and know when to apply them.

Opinions vary. I usualy grow autos on 18/6 but have done 20/4. Heat is a factor in my tent.

Some people do 24 hours but honestly I think they need a dark period.

Pot size. Depends largely on strain. Big plants need big roots. Size of space, environment, plant count…

I tend to grow 3-4 small to medium plants in a 3x3 so I use 2 or 3 gal bags of coco. I used 3 and 5 gallon when I grew in soil.

I sprout seeds in starter cubes and when I see roots at the bottom I put them in their final pot. Autos are on a fixed schedule meaning they don’t have much time to recover from transplant.

Most techniques to maximize yield involve stress. There are LST (low stress tech) like bending and tying, and HST (high stress tech) like topping, pruning, etc.

#1 technique is healthy happy plants :wink:

As a beginner I’d start with simple LST bending and tying if anything. …There’s also value in watching a plant grow without intervention.

Have fun! Drop by Live Stoners for fun and lively discussions

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Always remember, ‘it’s just a weed’.

Cannabis will grow no matter what, it’s just up to you to kill it. Less is more Broette.

I use Coco, start in solo cups, and transplant into final 20L airpots at around day 12/14. No handling roots, exposing roots to light, no stress AT ALL for the first 28 days. Lights are on 24/0.

Then the world’s your oyster, top em, bend 'em, or just leave them, see what’s right for you.

The best thing you’ve done is ask here for advice, you’ll get it in bucket loads.

Good luck and enjoy your new obsession!

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