Does the strength of your light have an affect on the lifespan of an autoflower?

[TheRealJPeterman]

Hey all, happy Saturday!

I have never grown before but have been in the process of piecing together a setup for about 6 weeks. 4 weeks ago, a friend gave me an auto of his that had already started to flower. He needed to clear some space so I told him I'd take it. Problem was, I only had a 4 bulb T5 to put it under and that's where it lived for the next 3 weeks (I have taken it outside when I can do get it some sun). Obviously that is less than ideal during such an important stage, but, I can't conrol the post office. I've finally received my Optic Slim 600H and it's been doing much better the last week (I know some people around here don't like Optic, but, I'm a newbie and don't know anything about the history, etc., so don't murder me for it lol).

When buddy gave it to me he said it would be finished in 4-5 weeks. Now I've never grown before, but, I've read enough to feel that this plant isn't ready. I see no amber trichomes, and it's probably about 50/50 clear and cloudy.

My question is, did the lack of a real powerful light set this plant back be a few weeks? Do autoflowers just finish on their own regardless of light strength? I'm getting really close to securing everything I need to start my first true run, but, I'm not willing to sacrifice this plant because of it. As inefficient as it is to have one plant under a 600w light in a 5x5 tent with the fan going full blast, I'd still like to see this thing through til the end just for the experience and learning factors.

For info purposes...

The plant is Critical 2.0 from Dinafem.
Grown in a 3 gallon pot with Pro Mix soil (perilite added).
Advanced Nutrients ph perfect Grow, Micro, Bloom
Regular tap water that is set out for chlorine to evaporate (not ph'd)

I'll attach some photos of the plant as well. I know it's got tiny little buds and not in the best of shape, but, up until a week a go my light situation was literally shit. Also, being a novice grower, I'm kind of just winging it with the watering and feeding routine for this plant (I will be doing living soil with blumats for future grows).

 

[Kassiopeija]

Plants have an internal clock inside, its not the light made time slower but instead caused erratic growth (less harvest mass).

Once flower starts your grow should be near-optimal or you will always expect dry mass loss

 

[TheRealJPeterman]

Plants have an internal clock inside, its not the light made time slower but instead caused erratic growth (less harvest mass).

Once flower starts your grow should be near-optimal or you will always expect dry mass loss

So, it's going to finish at the same time regardless of lighting conditions? Buddy must have been wrong about the time frame then because from what I can see it's still got a couple of weeks at least (I realize the pics aren't the best to see trichs).

 

[JoeBlow5823]

It needs a couple more weeks. Plants are done when they are done, people that go by what the breeder recommends for harvest typically harvest 1-4 weeks to early. Most autos take 90-110 days.

 

[TheRealJPeterman]

It needs a couple more weeks. Plants are done when they are done, people that go by what the breeder recommends for harvest typically harvest 1-4 weeks to early. Most autos take 90-110 days.

This is something that I have read many times in my research and I hope to never do it. Thank you for reinforcing it.

Would you continue to feed it nutrients at this point? I've read mixed opinions about flushing and not flushing, but, I feel like one or two more feedings wouldn't hurt.

 

[JoeBlow5823]

This is something that I have read many times in my research and I hope to never do it. Thank you for reinforcing it.

Would you continue to feed it nutrients at this point? I've read mixed opinions about flushing and not flushing, but, I feel like one or two more feedings wouldn't hurt.

I would feed until maybe the last watering before harvest.