autoflowering can easily be replicated by growing photoperiod plants at 12/12 from seed. With autos they show sex in 3 weeks and finish 8-10 weeks after that, the highest yielders take 10-11 weeks to fully finish after preflower.
a photo plant at 12/12 from seed will show sex at 3 weeks or so and finish 8-10 weeks later.
the difference is with autos you use 50% more power just to grow a similar amount or less than you can with 12/12 photos. Just my opinion from having grown both in the past.
your first run was not a failure, just a learning experience, suck it up and drive on.