question about autoflowering

[BabyGriffin]

If I strictly grow my plants outdoors on a 12/12 cycle would the plant still grow pretty decent? Taking care of the plants other needs is no problem, i was just wondering if it'd do well under just the sun for its entire growth or if i should also take it in at night and put it under some lights?

BabyGriffin Reviewed by BabyGriffin on 03-21-2012. question about autoflowering If I strictly grow my plants outdoors on a 12/12 cycle would the plant still grow pretty decent? Taking care of the plants other needs is no problem, i was just wondering if it'd do well under just the sun for its entire growth or if i should also take it in at night and put it under some lights? Rating: 5

[bobjob4u]

Autoflowers is where i focus most of my attention. You sound like you are on the right path. You can have an early harvest ,around beginning of july or so. Here is what i do as far as auto's outdoors.The best time to do the Auto's outdoors is may and june.If you live in the USA. Try starting them indoors under some k6500 cfl's around the end of april.After about 2-3 weeks or when you feel they are ready Place them outside .I wait till they show sex, then transplant in bigger containers then put them outside. Try to give them as much sunlight as possiable. Like you mentioned you can then bring them in at dark and put them under some lighting.CFL would be fine or hps. If i do five plants outdoors i bring them in at night and give them 150 watt hps then 4 hours of darkness till sunrise.The strain of auto means alot when growing outdoors.Some do better then others, but for the most part if you are gonna bring them in at night and they get 20 hours of light. Most auto's should do fine. Now if you wanna leave them out . then i suggest going with a bigger strain of auto, such as grass o matic maxi gom or royal queen northern light auto, or ak auto. seedmans seeds great white shark auto .Maybe somthing in the critical line. Or sweet seeds big devil. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.

[BabyGriffin]

Thanks for the response! Lights are the only things that confuse me really

I live in southern states and it gets pretty hot and humid outside, even the breezes are warm, would this effect the plant much stress-wise? i usually wouldn't be worried about it but recently the summers have been harsh. Oh, and the strains i'm having are from the attitude seedbank, i can't remember the name, my gf is ordering them, but something like the pineapple express anddd i can't remember, i'll have to ask and tell the correct names later.

I planned on setting up 2 150 hps and 4 cfl lights around the sides and rotating the plants nightly so they can get all the energy they can. for now i can only find a good space that'd fit 3-4 plants. would a 20/4 cycle be better than a 24/0? also, do you mind if i ask, how long do they stay in veg stage and flowering stage? should i bother with nutes while on veg stage or will it pass by too fast to even bother?

and thank you ^^

[bobjob4u]

Barneys farm are the breeders for the pineapple express auto. I have yet to try them . I have seen people grow them though. The heat should be ok as long as they dont dry out. 20/4 is what i suggest for a light cycle.Some auto veg 2 weeks some 4 weeks, depends on strain, but most will start to autoflower within 24 days.I start a lite nute when i transplant into larger container.I do this when flowering starts to show. I start at 1/4 strength. If a plant takes 9 weeks from seed . I feed weeks 3-7. I will start a new post today with all my current stages of auto's i am growing. With 20/4 lighting .soil with good airation and moderate nutes, you should have some good results. Also watch out for pest when putting plants outside then bringing them in at night.

[BabyGriffin]

You can be sure i will watch for pests. @~@

thank you for your responses :]

My plan is to put them in a 2 gal pot from the beginning, since they don't get too big. I have a nice lil indoor set up that will give em pretty good room to grow, also planning on setting up some mylar. I would just do them indoors but i don't think any man made light can compete with the sun, hopefully the babies will soak up a good bit and grow nice and pretty. :] I'll be keeping a detailed log on the grow that's for sure. If these autoflowering strains rock my world i might be using them much more often.

One thing i'm worried about is when they begin flowering, as much as i loveee the smell of bud, i don't want my house wreaking of it in case i have company. Would they not yield as much if i put them outside during their flowering under a normal 14/10? (since by the time i get them and get things ready it'd already be April, and they'd prolly be ready to harvest by june and july? and i believe where i am we have 14 hourz of daylight that time of year.) or should i just make do with covering the smell some way and keep to the same routine? Is the smell very powerful from autos?

[bobjob4u]

The smell of auto's can be quite strong. I have some now that i can smell across my yard when my windows are open(they are inside). I suggest keeping them outside if this is a concern.Or make sure your indoor grow space is sealed tight.then make a active carbon filter to exhaust heat.This can be done cheap and easy.Walmrt sells active carbon by the fish tank supplies.Then get youself some 3" pvc pipe and a few fittings.If you are able to bring them in , and put them out as needed,Then i would do that. Not sure if you have neighbors who would see you bring them in . Also if you have a shed or barn.You could set somthing up just to house them at night to give them more light. One of the most important factors of an auto, when it comes to yield. Seems to be the amount of light they receive.If you decide to grow them outside.Then just try to start then indoors and i would keep them inside till they start to smell.that would allow them to develop great structure, as well as give mother nature time to increase daylight. As far as starting them in the 2 gallon containers. it will work, but i always start in a red dixie cup for the first 2-3 or till signs of flowering. Here is why.When you have a seedling in a big container, it is hard to maintain the proper moisture in the soil.If you soak the soil the seedling has all that moist soil to work with.It will take longer for soil to dry out,also longer till you water again.watering brings oxygen to roots Less watering less oxygen. Plus a plant like to dry out between watering. 2 gallon container is fine for small to medium auto. i go with 3 gallon for larger strains. Honestly i have never done an auto completely outside.I have started them inside placed them outside.Then noticed they were not yielding like there sisters inside. So i brought them back in to join the rest of the family.

[BabyGriffin]

hmm that defiantly gives me something to think about.

I have a shed in my yard, the only problem it doesn't have electricity in there, but other than that it would have been perfect, that is where i was originally going to put them for night time. i could try running an extension cord out there?

i found out that we are getting 5 seeds of the g13 labs auto pineapple express and 3 sweet seeds fast bud from the attitude seed bank, i think both are about medium height? i think we plan on doing 2 PE and 1 fast bud.

And yes, i want them to yield as much as they can so i'm guessing im going to have to figure out some way of keeping light on em.

[bobjob4u]

Attachment 283586 Here is a pineapple express that was done indoors under led lighting. it yielded 2 1/2 ounce dry wieght.Attachment 283587Fast bud #2 Attachment 283588 fast bud. I have used extension cord to power lighting in a shed. Try to run a 12 ga cord.Lowes have them. Also plug into a circiut with minimal use.Example not into a circuit with a/c or refrig etc.

[BabyGriffin]

Alright thanks!

I'll be sure to keep updates and if i have any more q's i'll certainly be asking them ^^

[bobjob4u]

sounds good, looking foward to it, and good luck.