grouchyoldman
New member
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.
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.
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Oh what a hobby we got those sure are some purty buds. Grow on my friend
Thanks