An autoflower that won't flower

VikTheViking

VikTheViking

Member
Hey, folks!

Almost 10 weeks ago, I set up a 2x2 tent to run an Autoflower (Green Gelato from Royal Queen Seeds).
I chose this strain as RQS said it should finish in approx 9 weeks after sprouting - but here I am at the end of week 9 and the plant just keeps exploding in veg.

I started using LST early on and then accidentally snapped of the main stem in the process (duct tape couldn't save it), but I just kept on using LST, bending down the new branches..
.. problem now is that I've completely filled out the 2x2 now and all is see in terms of flower is one or two pistils here and there - but why's it taking so long and is there something I can do to help it go into flower?

An idea that hit me was that the LST and accidental topping of the main stem sort of postponed the natural life cycle of the autoflower and it just keeps staying in veg as a defence mechanism, anticipating another stem might snap off or suchlike(?)

Either way, this strain and pheno is a growth beast, haha!
Hopefully it'll go into flower soon and I'll get to watch all those tops turn into beautiful flowers :-)

Cheers!

Specs
Space: 2x2 / 60x60 cm (indoor)
Light: Spiderfarmer SF1000
Light schedule: 20/4 (20 hours on, 4 off)
Temp: 21-24 °C / 70-75 °F
RH: currently 40-45%
Nutrients: Biobizz - Fishmix, Bio Grow, Bio Bloom, TopMax, Molasses (Nortembio)

(Leaves look droopy due to being watered just before I took the photo)
3.jpg
 
VikTheViking

VikTheViking

Member
TCH said:
Flip to 12/12 and capitalize!!!! Haha
Click to expand...
Yeah, I've set it to 12/12 now, so let's see what happens, haha! :-)

Normally though, when I run photperiods, they don't shoot out little pistils here and there before I actually flip to 12/12, but this sucker has had a few pistils shooting out very scarcely here and there for two weeks now, but it just doesn't go full into flower - very strange! Either it's the slowest auto the world has ever seen, or it's actually a photoperiod that ended up in the wrong package.
 
TCH

TCH

Well-Known Member
VikTheViking said:
Yeah, I've set it to 12/12 now, so let's see what happens, haha! :-)

Normally though, when I run photperiods, they don't shoot out little pistils here and there before I actually flip to 12/12, but this sucker has had a few pistils shooting out very scarcely here and there for two weeks now, but it just doesn't go full into flower - very strange! Either it's the slowest auto the world has ever seen, or it's actually a photoperiod that ended up in the wrong package.
Click to expand...
The way I understand it is some strains will start showing pistils before flipping and that is just them showing serial maturity. I'm not sure those will materialize into flower until the light schedule is changed enough though.
 
VikTheViking

VikTheViking

Member
TCH said:
The way I understand it is some strains will start showing pistils before flipping and that is just them showing serial maturity. I'm not sure those will materialize into flower until the light schedule is changed enough though.
Click to expand...
Alright! Thanks for the info :peace: let's see what happens after a few days on a 12/12 schedule :-)
 
N

Nope_49595933949

Well-Known Member
VikTheViking said:
Yeah, I've set it to 12/12 now, so let's see what happens, haha! :-)

Normally though, when I run photperiods, they don't shoot out little pistils here and there before I actually flip to 12/12, but this sucker has had a few pistils shooting out very scarcely here and there for two weeks now, but it just doesn't go full into flower - very strange! Either it's the slowest auto the world has ever seen, or it's actually a photoperiod that ended up in the wrong package.
Click to expand...
It's showing that it's sexually mature, that's all.
 
Psyphish

Psyphish

Well-Known Member
A lot of modern autos won't autoflower. I'm running a Mephisto Strawberry Nuggets right now that didn't start flowering. I'm hoping the lack of autoness equals better quality bud.
 
VikTheViking

VikTheViking

Member
Psyphish said:
A lot of modern autos won't autoflower. I'm running a Mephisto Strawberry Nuggets right now that didn't start flowering. I'm hoping the lack of autoness equals better quality bud.
Click to expand...
Okay, that's crazy. So did you switch to 12/12 then to solve the problem?
.. and I chose this strain since it had the shortest cycle out of the "autoflowers" from RQS.. wow, haha! :clap:

I'm new to the forum BTW - how do I like someone's post/message? Can't find a button for it.
 
Psyphish

Psyphish

Well-Known Member
VikTheViking said:
Okay, that's crazy. So did you switch to 12/12 then to solve the problem?
.. and I chose this strain since it had the shortest cycle out of the "autoflowers" from RQS.. wow, haha! :clap:

I'm new to the forum BTW - how do I like someone's post/message? Can't find a button for it.
Click to expand...
I just flipped to 12/12. It's about 30 days behind the other plants which are all autoflowering. But they don't seem to mind the 12/12, I mean why would they if they get enough light?
 
Grojak

Grojak

Well-Known Member
My guess is these are F1/F2’s of a Gelato x Ruderslis so it’s a crap shoot as to whether you get an auto or not.
 
VikTheViking

VikTheViking

Member
Grojak said:
My guess is these are F1/F2’s of a Gelato x Ruderslis so it’s a crap shoot as to whether you get an auto or not.
Click to expand...
Ahh, yeah.. that could definitely be it! Guess I expected better quality seeds from RQS, which in Europe is normally perceived as one of the bigger, more reputable seedbanks. So much for trying an auto, haha :-)
 
Wizzlebiz

Wizzlebiz

Well-Known Member
VikTheViking said:
Yeah, I've set it to 12/12 now, so let's see what happens, haha! :-)

Normally though, when I run photperiods, they don't shoot out little pistils here and there before I actually flip to 12/12, but this sucker has had a few pistils shooting out very scarcely here and there for two weeks now, but it just doesn't go full into flower - very strange! Either it's the slowest auto the world has ever seen, or it's actually a photoperiod that ended up in the wrong package.
Click to expand...
If plants are allowed to mature naturally you will see small pistils here and there. This is the signs of sexual maturity
 
VikTheViking

VikTheViking

Member
Update: after further investigation, I learned that some autos can take as long as 120-130 days to reach the end of their life cycle, so instead of flipping to 12/12, I changed my mind and just decreased the light period from 20/4 to 18/6. This was probably a good thing as well, since I can't pull my light up any higher due to the dimensions of the tent and the plant started showing some signs of light stress.

Now a week later, it has started flowering as it should and I keep the lights on a 18/6 schedule.

Here are some pics taken today
IMG_20220824_122748.jpg
IMG_20220824_123022.jpg
IMG_20220824_123053.jpg
 
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