Light intensity requirements with auto's? (A precursor to a perpetual grow)

[Weed Pharma]

After completing an autoflower grow in 63 days (Nirvana Bubblelicious), I find myself questioning light schedules, even though 'auto's" don't require it.

Specifically- Many lights are now manufactured with a grow and bloom switch- where the grow setting gives the plant the light it needs- at a reduced intensity.
Are auto's the same as photo's " requiring" about 1/2 the watts in the grow stage (3 wks) as bloom (6 weeks)?

With a 9 week seed to harvest time frame- I'm looking at a grow pattern which would have a 3 week rotation.
Example- the plant is subject to 1/2 light intensity for the "veg" phase of 3 weeks, then moved to the bloom lights for the next 6 weeks.

Once dialed in- you would seed&harvest 2 plants every 3 weeks- for a perpetual yield-dry/cure.

[Green75]

I personally think you are putting too much thought into a little gimmick switch on the side of a light... watts are King.... Hammer them ladies with as many watts as you can their whole life makes sense to me in my head of thoughts.

and lighting has nothing to do with Perpetual Garden it's all on timing

[Weed Pharma]

A physical move of the plants is what changes the intensity in my setup- so a necessary component of of the rotation to create a "perpetual garden" - using most of my resources. hence the question asked-

"Are auto's the same as photo's " requiring" about 1/2 the watts in the grow stage (3 wks) as bloom (6 weeks)?"

[Green75]

When one has limits one is limited....of course it will work.

[Canyon Grower]

WF, it seems to me that you are on a track that would work. I havent grown autos but since they are programmed to bloom at a certain time the only thing you might be trading out with reduced light is plant size. Obviously this would effect final yield but this may not bother you if an efficient system is what you are after.

[Weed Pharma]

Yes- even with minimal results under low watts- you could get 2 ounces every 3 weeks- having 2 seeds started in veg light area- and 2 plants 3 wks old and 2 plants @ harvest in bloom light area. With a per ounce cost around $30 with LED's!!!
Add to that an amended soil- and all you have to do is water every 3 days and watch/treat for problems that may occur!

[insomniaczzz]

I believe green is telling you that reducing lighting, i.e. 1/2 the watts, is not necessary during the veg stage. Even if you are growing the exact same strain every time, it could still vary by a week or so from grow to grow. All you have to do is know approximately when to plant your next set of seeds. You should be able to have plants ready to harvest every few weeks, give or take a week.

[Weed Pharma]

Are auto's the same as photo's "requiring" about 1/2 the watts in the grow stage (3 wks) as bloom (6 weeks)?
Requirements Is the question here-not optimal lighting and not how everyone, including myself does it, already, lol

I do not want to fall into this mindset:
Over-specialisation, eventually retreats into defending what one has learnt rather than making new connections -Twigger

[insomniaczzz]

Many growers do things differently, all with great success. If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Do exactly what you have been doing and reap the bounty, again and again and again!!

[Green75]

You can get one plant to stay alive with one cfl....so of course more is beneficial whenever possible.....and always optimal...im confused I guess..sorry

[Beach_Town_Brit]

As others have mentioned the wattage loss of going with just the veg spectrum part of your light seems like a pretty big trade-off to me.
I don't have much experience with autos as yet but I use distance of the light to the canopy to adjust light intensity in early veg rather than touching the veg/flower switches. I start out with my LED at 24-28" away and allow the plant to grow into the light until it's about 18" away from the canopy in flowering.

[NebulaHaze]

If you want to get them to grow the fastest, you should give them full light from the beginning (well, at least once they're healthy and growing fast; really intense light can hurt seedlings if you give them too much too fast). However, since plants are small in the beginning, full power lights waste a lot of electricity, since so much of the light isn't being received by any leaves. Saving electricity is one of the main reasons some people start with weaker lights. But if you don't mind using the extra electricity you'll notice seedlings grow faster with full light. Just make sure not to keep them too close or you may burn your seedlings They will tell you if they're getting too much light!