Questions about growing autos

[Geeza]

My next grow will be autos, it will be a first for me, as I've only ever grown fems.

Can anyone please tell me what the average yield for an auto is?

Yes, I understand there are many variables to consider, like genetics/strain, pot size, medium, grow space, lights, etc, etc, etc.

I would like to go with Coco or DWC, as I prefer not to use soil.

I'm thinking that because they are on their own timer, wouldn't it be pointless to use a massive pot?

Would it be worth doing in DWC?

What size pots do Y'all use? And give me an idea of what you yield per plant?

The tent I will use is 2200Lx1200Wx2100H, and I have x2 @480 watt Helios 4season Leds

Thank you all for your input.

[Allotrope1000]

Hi, Geeza.
I use autos for winter greenhouse grows here in the southwest USA desert. Just sunlight. I use 50/50 coco/perlite, GH Trio nutes + CaliMagic, tap water pH'd to 6.0, 7 gallon fabric pots on risers in saucers. Top water by hand. Get good results.

Unless you have specific auto strains you want, try buying XXL auto seeds for larger yields. I had a 5' Northern Lights auto with a main cola longer than my forearm!

[Geeza]

Oh, ok, that sounds like a decent plant, I didn't know about XXL's, so I still have a bit to learn then,
Thanks.

[Bluey]

I did it once with 4 plants. 5 gal pots from memory in coco/perlite about 70/30.

I hit them a bit hard with N and got some N toxicity but they went to flower for 6oz average/ plant.

Yields are really determined by veg time before they flower and they are all different. I had them on an 18/6 schedule. You could probably get more out of them putting them on a 20/6 schedule...yep. try a 26hr day. See how you go.

[Geeza]

Hey there, Bluey,
Obviously, considering the many variables, I will take this info as an average of 4-6 oz per plant. Sounds like 5-gallon fabric pots with coco/perlite would be enough. I think I'm gonna go with your 20/6 idea. Does that mean it's ok to switch back to 18/6 once they're flowering? How many plants would you recommend in the tent I'm using?

[Geeza]

OR, once you notice signs of flowering, could one switch to 12/12? or might that be just a waste of time, or even detrimental?
That brings me to another point I'm unsure about: how long do they flower for? I mean, I realise maybe a silly question here, but I guess what I'm asking is, once you notice signs of flowering, is there an approximate time (# of weeks anyone can give from then till Harvest?) I do understand the many variables regarding this too, but I'm looking for rough estimations here?

[Bluey]

Geeza I dont use nor do I recommend fabric pots. Up to you. A 5 gal fabric pots is not equivalent to a 5gal plastic pot. Go with a lighting schedule that suits you. I wouldn't change the schedule during the grow.
Flower time will take 8 to 12 weeks depending on a few things.

[golfnrl]

I grow in autopots in a 50/50 blend of coco/perlite. Five gallon cloth pots. At lest 4 ounces per plant at minimum. Last auto grow was two plants, jarred 11.5 ounces.

[Smallgrow]

The above folks have good info.
Obviously many variables. If the auto genetics are good and the plants are happy you can expect yields to be comparable to photos of the same plant size
some autos will start to flower in 3 weeks some will get to 5-6 weeks. This is really where the variability in size comes in and from that yield

[Going2fast]

Best thing about autos is they will produce in just about any size planter. I find diminishing returns in anything over 8 gallons in soil. That being said there are some XXL autos out there that could easily take advantage of more roots pace. I average 3 to 6oz in cut down five gallon buckets so basically 4 gallons. They are easy to use and move around. I use 2 gallon for breeding purposes or testing and average 2 to 4.
this little lady gave me almost 2 in about a quart of soil.

[Geeza]

That is cool!!!

[Geeza]

Different thats for sure.

[Orggrwr]

That is very cool! What is that stand it looks like the plant is growing out of and is that a water reservoir it's sitting on?

[Geeza]

The orange thing looks like a motorcycle mudguard sitting upside down, and underneath the base of the plant looks like a little chrome motorcycle????

[Geeza]

The orange thing looks like a motorcycle mudguard sitting upside down, and underneath the base of the plant looks like a little chrome motorcycle???? and the plastic drip tray under the guard.

[Geeza]

And a chain cog at the base of the plant.

[Gator]

Outstanding!!!!!

[Going2fast]

Click on the link under my signature that says Braapzia. Did a grow journal on her.