Autos do not need 12 hrs of darkness and can have any lighting schedule. There's no other difference in growing them, but autos generally yield much less.
I had 5 of the auto Blue Mystics. One didn't germinate. Two others didn't sprout, and one of the remaining two died mysteriously young. I did grow out one and it is near to harvest now. It did nicely with lots of budsites. But one out of five is no good.
photoperiod is where you have to manually swith the light schedule. The autos are supposed to not require that but if they do, they will switch quick. I have female seeds. I hope it becomes female. I germinated one bean out of ten. and this is what it has turned into. Im excited. 9 beans left.
I am happy with how she is developing. today is day 10. I added hydrated lime to balance the PH cause she was yellowing a little bit very little. i also added poles and twine to scrog her on her way up as my space is very limited (pc grow)