DLI For Autos Compared to Photoperiods

[Allenpro]

Running lights is expensive, so is it worth it to keep Auto Flowers under 18/6 or more for the full grow or would you get the same yield and quality if you switch to 12/12 after they are done stretching in Flower? I am not a regular Auto Flower grower and when I do I normally put them outside. I have a short grow season in New England and the amount of sun is good for autos, but I have grown some in the same tent with photo periods and the same light schedule with ok result or as good as I have had outside so I wonder if the DLI for autos is the same as photoperiods. I am betting it is

[Bluey]

It's different. The top one is for photoperiods on 12/12 during flower & 18/6 fir veg, the bottom for autos. It is of course a guide and will depend on other factors as to what they can tolerate and where they are at their best. It does vary from plant to plant a little bit.

[Allenpro]

Interesting, thanks
So I guess auto flowers cost more to grow

[Bluey]

I'm not sure about that as it is a calculation of cost divided by yield. I think it would be more strain dependent but I don't think there would be much in it same strain photo or auto.

[Rootsruler]

I ran my last batch of photos more in line with the auto chart. One of the reasons I did this was to see if high DLI in the early to mid stages of flower would induce the plant to create more trichomes to protect itself from the high PPFD. Anectdotal observations say yes. This next I'll do the same thing but with a different cultivar to see if it was genetic and not me inducing it.

[Bluey]

When reading lux you swipe left ir right and it will give you dli and ppfd on those screens

[Allenpro]

Yes and I have a LUX meter and the 2 meters correlate within 2% and thats good enough for aerospace. lol

[Bluey]

You'll find your phone varies depending on what level of light it thinks it's reading. The Apogee light meters many use are only +/- 5% when new out of the box and your phone is much worse so only use it as a guide and fine tune as your plants require. I noticed my S23 calibrated at 500 PPFD was reading 150 PPFD too high under 800 PPFD of light and reading around 950 but it's helpful still to get started.

[ezmaarc]

I ran my last batch of photos more in line with the auto chart. One of the reasons I did this was to see if high DLI in the early to mid stages of flower would induce the plant to create more trichomes to protect itself from the high PPFD. Anectdotal observations say yes. This next I'll do the same thing but with a different cultivar to see if it was genetic and not me inducing it.

Thats great you’re doing this. Let us know how this works out. Great experiment. I like your thought process here.

[Going2fast]

My experience autos cost equal to if not less than photos. My average auto is done at under 90 days and 4oz yield at 19/5. My average photo is 4oz at 140 days with 80 days 12/12. Now I'm comparing apples to oranges here but I'm also talking about the same amount of plants in the same space. Your yields will diminish if you grow autos in 12/12 as well as quality.