The plant that looks like it has balls on it is a trait from Dr. Grinspoon. I had about 15 autos years ago from Nirvana and that trait showed its self on one of the plants. It was great smoke and I wish it would show up again..It's an unusual sativa.
I have used Nirvana for the past decade with great results....the ak48 is my fav from them but the last two years of AK48 runs have had 40% hermie that kinda blows...Aroura, AK and Ice are usually my best results.
For the past 5 years I have started my auto's in 16oz Dixie cups in March. (inside with cfl's) around the fourth or fifth week transplant outside in 2 or 3 gal pots and most of them show no sign of stress or shock.........
Freedom of seeds has regular and feminized. I used their Gorilla ryder a few years ago and have so many types of auto's now I cant keep them straight...
I have had good luck with 50% miracle gro and 50% perlite with a couple strains and then not so good luck with other strains. I think the indica dom strains fair a little better than the sativa strains.