Grouchy Old Guy Confronts AutoFlower Cannabis

[grouchyoldman]

I've been growing for decades, but my first autoflower grow is headed for the Jar and I can't help but reflect on what a strange trip this has been! Hint: it's not 'like growing photos!' D'oh.

I chose autoflower seeds because the schedule for this grow was snug right from the start (camping reservations set in concrete!) When the seed source (ILGM) said 'these autos, no problemo, ten weeks, cradle to grave (harvest),' I believed them. Big mistake, huge. As events unfolded the "schedule" evolved from snug to "tight," then leapt onward to "impossible." So I went camping with jars of curing Bruce Banner Bud, and left the other plants on dripsystem autopilot while we went fly fishing on the Deerfield River.

Here are the words I live by in situations suchlike: 'Apprehend, Accept & Adapt. And that's what I did, including burping several quart jars of that *really* stinky Bruce Banner upwind of 200 Boy Scouts having a Jamboree next door to our campsite.

Lesson: Never trust a seedbank when harvest time is on the line! 'Nuff said about that, but I am pleased to report a respectable yield from those abused weeds. And after a first sample of the Bruce Banner: those "Purple Poison" buds bespeak Righteous Sativa Fire.

My take on the autoflower experience is that they are as much work as a photo, they don't yield nearly as much per plant, but they also don't take up nearly the space or resources either, and, they produce about 25% of the photo yield per sqft in 75% of the time. Quality is good, maybe comparable to photos. That 'Purple Poison' is one toke madness.

So, you've still got to give autos THE LIGHT, and feed them and stay on Bug Patrol for three months. In my experience, limited to this grow, all three strains responded well to energetic LST training during their flowering stretch. I doubt I could have achieved a better yield even if I tried to bully them into shape as youngsters. They seemed to have a shape in mind and only minor adjustments would be tolerated, but that allowed me to get light to every viable bud site.

I'm pleased with this grow because it was an education. In the same amount of space, and a little less time, I harvested half a pound of between three quality strains: Gorilla Glue, Girl Scout Cookies, & Bruce Banner. That's Good Value, but in general I prefer to squander my attention on one or two pampered flowers in the hope of growing something truly unique.

I have a handful of those ILGM auto seeds left and I'll likely have another go, but it won't be my next grow.

Jus my $0.02,

-Grouchy
PS, Next Grow? Unless you're a *real* GWE insider you've prolly never heard of "Limpin Louie," A photo, regular, cross of Buddha Seeds Tahoe and Sensi Seeds Big Bud, created by one of our own (whose name I'll refrain from mentioning without permission). That sounds like a worthy project.

[SoOrbudgal]

Right there with ya Grouchy i feel the same about autos. Seems i've seen that " Limpin Louie " person around these parts Oh what a hobby we got those sure are some purty buds. Grow on my friend

[bboyfromwayback]

I still have a love hate relationship with autos myself. That Purple Poison is beautiful

[Puglover1]

Northern Lights on the left; Lemon on the Right, both 11 weeks old in this pic taken 6/28. They got pistils at week 5, started flowering but stayed short and tight. The middle NL is 8 weeks old in this pic, flowering nicely. On June 16th I used plant hooks to pull out the tight stems/buds to expose the middles for air and light; I laid out the middle plant to try to train it and get something out of this grow. Everyone said I started training too early. I lowered lights, raised pots, nothing seems to help. This grow has a much better controlled environment than my first 3 photos that produced enough weed for me for a year. I'm about ready to put all 3 pots out on the patio table and let nature take its course. Seedsman seeds.

[grouchyoldman]

Puglover1, Madre Dios Hombre! *Sheesh*

What do reckon was going on there Puglover1?

I'm just guessing; either old seed, or bad genetics. You know the ropes and didn't stunt those plant's growth.

Seedsman Seeds? Autos are notoriously random speaking Phenotypicicaly[?], Jus Sayin.

Anyways, Que Lastima Hermano. We pour a bunch of soul into every grow and, like life itself, the outcome is uncertain.

[Puglover1]

Grouchy, I tried to blame it on starting the seeds in the Aero-Garden but that's how I started my first grow, np, under sub-optimal conditions. Also, the middle NL auto seed was started in the pot and it made twins, I waited ~10 days and saved the better plant, next watering the cat started eating it behind my back while I was watering the others.

I bought a full spectrum light, more and better fans, better control of temp/RH, better pH pen + I check it against other means. I give more time and better care to these autos than I did my photos. I have to say it's the seeds, genetics, luck of the draw.

My thoughts are to put the hooks back on them, at least the inner growth on the tight azzes will get light and air. My hooks were never holding the plants down, they were just coaxing them outward, and barely in the soil in most places. I used the hooks for maybe 10 days in June, I really don't think they were hurting anything. What have I got to lose?

One thing I find odd is that when the top two fans on the NL runt were turning ugly Canuck said to cut them off which I thought was the right thing but I asked first. After that the pistils seemed to disappear, except for the deep-inside new growth near the stem. I'm using Flower Fuel, Recharge, plus the usual cal-mag and GH Trio, and molasses. Put them on basins to be closer to the lights two days ago, no change. I'm out of ideas. Thanks.

[Farmbuck]

I was going to order me some autos but you made my choice easier, staying with photos. Thanks dear grower friends.

[grouchyoldman]

Gosh Farmbuck, that certainly wasn't my intention here and I hope it wasn't widely interpreted that way! The takehome is that I ended up with almost half a pound of sparkly candy and that ain't half bad.

This was a voyage of discovery for me and I want to ruminate on it for awhile before having another go. In point of fact, those BB "Purple Poison" buds reminded me of the spacey wonders of good Sativa. I'll definitely want some more of that the future.

I think we share the pleasures of really pampering a few plants with the target of top shelf herb (and good wine!) rather than focusing on gross yield. I reckon autos have a place in that program.

[Farmbuck]

LOLLLL I was joking grouchyoldman but I guessed some took it differently !! Look even SoOrbudgal knew I was putting a bit of humor from my comment.

I feel terrible for saying that but I have no qualms with autos I even grew some in the past and still thinking to obtain some for my next grow. Just that I'm not sure which one lolll

Again accept my apologies to all of the autos growers here..!

[bboyfromwayback]

I personally appreciated the sarcasm when I read it.

[Farmbuck]

It's my dry humour that took over... Look @Puglover1 still recuperating from my last (mentally that is ) a so & so grow but I managed to pull a decent yield after all ..! Oui vraiment !! Putain une récolte de 400 grams sèche de fleurs.

[Puglover1]

That putain de plante avortée NL looks like 4 grams dry. Well maybe 6, if you could see what wants to grow on the inside. Am I expecting too much from an auto at 12 weeks?

[Catfish22]

Watching that grow was like watching Monday night wrassilin'. It was the first grow I ever followed, along with a grow that SoOrbudgal started about that time.

In this corner weighing in at ( fill in the blank) pounds from the great country of ice hockey, screech and Molson Ice, FARMBUCK!

In the opposing corner weighing in at 3 pounds THE KALI GIRL CREW!

[Farmbuck]

Lolllll Catfish22 I have to admit it I grew 3 beautiful NL autos from Seedsman and I was surprise how good the yield was.

[SoOrbudgal]

I think so Puglover1 this one was trial an error but next one will grow soooo much better, i swear if you don't get a oz at least off the next auto then stick with photo but sister this grow was a learning one for you. I've had some shit dwarf auto grows in my time. I love dry humor LOL it's my personality also........nothing wrong sayin how it is around folks who get ya Farmbuck.

[Puglover1]

SoOrbudgal I think I could've grown that runt in a Solo cup. I only grew autos for some faster inventory and variety and because summer/heat. Before this creation developed I had already ordered some Alaskan Purple autos as replacements, White Widow fast fem photos are the other pkg. Fall/winter will be photos if I have to buy a portable AC. I need my Wild Thai weed for fast ramped-up pain, the dispos can't seem to grow it without mold here in IL. I spent a long miserable sleepless night last week that two tokes of WT would've fixed in 10 minutes.

I saw this picture and thought of your autos in Folger's containers. I have the same old ladder in my basement.

[SoOrbudgal]

My kind of garden artwork Thanks Puglover1

[Puglover1]

Looks like I hit the bad gene pool. Lowryder Lemon and Ruderalis Lights. Their little buds, on their short stubby little branches, have clear trichs. Those seeds popped on April 11th.