Fim/topping Autos and medium q

[Chefbjy]

Hi all I've been doing some searching for the right kind of medium to establish my autos without having to add bottled nutes. Certain reasons prevent me from making my own super soil. I'd like to support local businesses that offer a variety of compost and soil blends since I can't wait for stores to stock. I want something that will provide all they need through just watering. But my qs about medium are... Since I'm not growing photos does it still need to be a heavy feed soil? Is there any benefit to using a vermiculite vs perlite blend? With lush landscape all around me I thought I would seek out my local gardening suppliers for a worthy blend such as kind soil or greenfields.

Q about fiming/topping... I've read that topping can be bad and other things not good for autos due to risk of shock or slowed growth resulting in poor yields. Then I've seen videos and journals where people are defoliating, topping, and even mainlining autos. So I was debating on techniques and want to fim one of my vigorously growing autos. Do I have to wait for 5 nodes or can I fim at 3rd once it's established and growing well? Should I do this before or after I transplant?

Just want to get a good run in with my first autos...any advice with medium and amendments would be great. I don't want to have to order half a pallet of soil. And tips about training techniques would help a lot... Tyia

[Weed Pharma]

Auto's will grow fine in Roots Organic Original-
I lightly amend ( https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...or-fertilizers) with a few dry ingredients.

Use perlite for added drainage vs vermiculite to retain water.

I top all plants at the 5th node (10-12 colas) for indoor grows in a 2x4x6 tent .
I use LST to pull the branches away from center- but timing is everything as leaving an auto untouched for weeks at a time- works well for me.

Environment is very important.

Yes, transplant timing is key and you have a very short window of opportunity without interfering with the stretch.

My grow journal #4 covers most of your questions, too. https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...ies-autoflower

One subject it doesn't touch on- is being careful what organic matter you add to soil- as I keep my grows in the house- and using organic matter/supplements can smell really bad for along time.

[Chefbjy]

So do you have to wait to use the soil after you amend it? I don't have 4-6weeks to get it done... I need to transplant very soon. That's why I'm searching for a premade/premixed product.

[Weed Pharma]

Nope- you can use it anytime. It's will release the amendments when you water!

[Chefbjy]

Thanks Weed Pharma that relieves my anxiety. I have been scratching my head all morning when I woke up to see how much they've grown 😉.

[Jibblerjoe]

As long as the plants are healthy, they will be fast growing. I use leaf tucking, for first 2 to 3 weeks. I top between mid wk2 and mid wk3. After topping I begin to pull the top branches over first, as the lower branches reach up they get pulled over, to make the canopy an even hieght. Here you can see the progression from tucking to leaf defo , topping, and LsT. I just leaf tuck till flower is beginning about 7 to 10 days after sex shows for an auto then flower initiates these were not topped. Just Let, and a leaf strip about 21 days into flower, this lets light hit all the flower sites. We end up with this . This works for me cause I'm using a 2x4x5 tent. You can use all these training methods together or just 1, your choice.

[Jibblerjoe]

Be gentle with LsT, if you break a branch you can support the break with little duct tape.

[Jibblerjoe]

Goggle Build a Soil for dirt, they make custom soil. Disclaimer I'm in love with the coco.

[Cab1080]

This forum is so cool, Just thinking about this same thing for my next auto grow. I come here and bam a post and bam Jibblerjoe posts this wicked comment with pics and a guide!

[Jibblerjoe]

Thank you. GWE is full of growers love

[Chefbjy]

Thanks all. I'll look over that journal Weed Pharma and thanks for the reference pics Jibblerjoe

[Chefbjy]

Weed Pharma did you ph the mix at all before planting? I'm a little concerned when I checked one of the pots ph was close to 4 from run off. I wanted to make sure the ph was good before transplanting and now I'm not so sure how to proceed.

[Weed Pharma]

I don't check pH unless there is a problem. I only water to the drip line, so wouldnt have runoff until a few weeks after the transplant.
That siad: a pH of 4 would become a problem and I would get it to 5.5-5.8 before continuing. ( this is what roots Organic Original runs) .

[Chefbjy]

I added some more lime...ty for the input.

[Greenpassion]

Enki, I'm a new grower, and am growing autos. Northern lights and Og kush. They are only 2 weeks up, from seed. Can you tell me what you mean by tucking the fan leaves( I do know what fan leaves are), and pruning between pre and flower periods? I keep them at 18/6 currently. Should I change to 20/4?

[Greenpassion]

Why not just take the fan leaf off?

[Greenpassion]

Wow. I do not doubt what you're saying. Definitely looking for yield. Thank you.