I'm an experience auto grower, bullshit is what people spout about them.
They do come with there downsides admittedly but people don't know how to treat them.
DO NOT TOP THEM - this is due to the veg cycle literally being 3 weeks max from seed. Poor genetics I have started flowering at week 2 and stretching in week 3. Also autos are slightly less forgiving in terms of punishment on yields for mistakes due to there very short life cycle.
LST - I would say essential really as lower sites need the light over a small time frame.
Do not over does with nutes it's very easy in soil and even easier with autos and soil less is definately, definately more.
Another down side is they never really reach top top shelf stuff and I think that's where the hate comes in for the wanna be conniossuers. That said I've had some really nice crops favorites have been Bio Diesel Auto Mass and Blue Treacle.
If you're a newer grower I would recommend playing with autos first also as you don't have to swap from CHM 18 hours to HPS 12 hours. Literally board spectrum them with the right hanging heights for 18 hours continuously and youre there with your lighting.
They also like some CO2 which you can make in a 2ltr clear bottle, half filled with tepid water, a few table spoons of sugar, add a tea spoon or two of yeast and shake. Put a balloon over the top and poke 4 or 5 pin holes in the balloon. This will act as a diffusers and a gauge to see if it's still producing CO2.
CO2 generators need lights and warmth so put it in your grow room. Also remember to have good air cirulation as CO2 is heavy gas and will sink to the bottom of the tent if not properly circulating, making its useless.
A slightly lollipop doesn't go a miss either don't go mad, as again the life cycle is short and it has very little time to recover. You can also add mild defoliation to better light penetration.
Never under estimate the boring and repetative process of tucking leaves and exposing new growth. It's a bitch and has to be done sometimes 2/3 times a day depending on what your doing, how fast things are progressing etc.
Temps - autos do like them slightly lower for denser nug production but no more than a 5C in temp difference between light on and lights off.
Watch night time humidities as this is when the plants transpire the most cause a RH spike. Again aim for somewhere around 50-60% with somewhere in that range being ideal.
PH's are also SUPER critical regardless of what time of photoperiod or autoflower you are growing. This varies for the type of medium you use. If you want some research I have attached a link to show you have PH affect nutrient availability. Yes I'm very sad and I fucking love science, I'm a flat out NERD, who gets turned more by his plants than they do from there wife!!!
PS incase she reads this she's lovely
Happy growing!
