Outdoor autos

Hello, I have a couple autos growing outdoors and they’re already growing pistils at like 8” tall. I haven’t even had a chance to top and haven’t started nutes. Any guidance would be awesome. Too late to top? Should I start nutes asap?


Now that I think about these are supposed to grow from seed to harvest in 10 weeks so it’s make a little sense. Do autos have a massive stretch or are they naturally small plants? First time growing autos so a little lost and feel like I kinda messed up

2 Likes

From my experience autos are smaller, and they like lots of light my last one i gave like 22 hours of light, for my next one I’m going to start it in a bigger pot, from what I’ve read I’d avoid topping my auto, oh and from what I’ve seen autos don’t need nutrients as much, but i always give them

2 Likes

Thanks for the info! Mine are outdoors in Southern California but I still just find it crazy they’re already in preflower that small. Only my second grow and first grow with autos so still learning. Wondering what they’ll even produce being that small. Like an ounce a plant?

1 Like

I haven’t gotten that much hence why im planning to grow my autos in a bigger pot

1 Like

This was my tangerine dream auto just before chop. So was about 70ish days from popping the seed. I got just over 2oz dried and trimmed from her. Yours does look a little dinky. I was growing indoors though.

2 Likes

Thanks for the input guys. These are in 10 gallon pots outdoors. I agree on the dinky comment tho :rofl: I was shocked when I saw the pistils already. Thought they at least triple this size before that but then again I guess autos are on a different schedule. We’ll see what happens!

2 Likes

They look small for flower already but that’s the “joy” of autos. Usually week 4-5 I see pre flower signs. Never top them cause it sets them back by a week or more. I don’t feed until flower with my autos. They typically run small but some shock you and give you a 6’ plant. My amnesia auto in a 5 gallon outdoor is 6’. My critical + 2.0 auto was about 3’ including the pot. So it varies a lot depending on genetics. If you are running synthetic nutes you can kinda wait for signs before feeding. If you do organic I would top dress now so it’s available when the plant needs it.

2 Likes

Thanks Blunt! I will def not top and am using strive nutes so will probably feed for first time next weekend then. I’m glad I asked about all this. Autos are pretty badass I guess then cuz I have 6 different varieties going and even if I only get an ounce each that’s a cool little score and super fast :rofl:

Any guidance or techniques for autos that you guys have?

autos vary a good bit in both size and time cycle. mark down the plant date and then mark your calendar for their completion date. it’ll come out pretty close. I’ve seen some pics of big auto’s. i grew 5 that didn’t get over 6 inches tall but that was my fault. I have some that are about 2 ft tall loaded with bud. depending on the breed, an auto can take 7 weeks or 16 weeks. I’m no expert but more than willing to share my failures so others don’t follow in my path. No nutes for 3 weeks, not even soil that has nute. that has been my best path to date

3 Likes

one more thing since you’re getting into this. cloning has been a challenge. I killed several. I had a few from feminized plants that I think would live if I did it all over again but the best clones come from normal plants, not feminized and not auto
the Pro cloners use regular plants for the momma

Got it. These are about 4 weeks old and just showing pistils but only 8” or so tall. No nutes yet so will start soon

1 Like

I’m no expert either. I’ve only grown autos - don’t have the space for any photos yet.
I start in a coir pellet. Transplant into final pot once I see roots growing through the pellet.
I start nutes as soon as I’ve got my first fan leaves - but obviously really low dosage. And water about 1inch away from the stem and then further out as the weeks go on to encourage root growth.
I LST and start that when the plant has 4/5 nodes.
I’ve had some runty plants but a couple of monsters too.
My next step is to get a bigger final pot so the roots can grow more and see if that encourages a bigger plant and crop. I also need to build a custom grow room so I can have a couple of plants going at a time.

2 Likes

Ohh and when it comes to harvest time I’m checking the trichomes under a handheld microscope to get about 10% amber - basically to make sure most of my trichomes have gotten ripe and milky.
Next grow is going to be done over winter so I have a better control of the temps in the grow room. It’s been hot this year and so my grow tent has been too hot and I think ruined some of the terpene profile on a couple of grows.

2 Likes

First time grower here. Not 100% suite on the strain, could be Smoothie. Been in flower for about 7 weeks and I think she’s nearly ready to cut.
In my novice option I think maybe I should leave it for a couple of weeks more, and start to flush it this week.? Any advice much appreciated.
Also, the black marks on the few leaves appeared today. it’s outside. .

2 Likes

Beautiful plant! I’m a novice as well but I’d definitely start flushing. From my understanding you want to flush the last 2-3 weeks before harvest

1 Like

Also, get a jewelers loupe or handheld microscope from Amazon and check the trichomes. You want mostly cloudy and some amber in there. I think there’s an article on here about checking trichomes. It looks pretty close tho so def start the flush

1 Like

Not sure on the black stuff that’s a new one to me. But for flushing you may want to research it some more here is where I started my journey New Research Shows Flushing Plants Before Harvest May Be Unnecessary

3 Likes

Interesting blunt and I’d actually prefer not to flush. I feel like pulling the nutes on that final couple weeks diminishes your harvest

1 Like