Autoflower Pot Size, Light Distance From Top = Bigger Size and more Bud?

sixteenounces said:

I tend to disagree with the 4 and 5 gallon pots. I have proven that you can obtain a better result, space to pot with 2 - 3 gallon square containers. And i would like to explain my findings.

When growing with 5(14 inches) gallon buckets, i found the production increase to be minimal <10g between 3(10 inches) gallon square rose pots. And the loss of space was rather high, I lost space for 2 square rose pots with the 5 gallons.

A rudimentary drawing of canibus strain root structure can be found below. As you can see, a smaller stature, ruderalis prevalent pheno will grow a more spindly short root system in comparison to indica and sativa prevalent plants. Also when you take into consideration, a short life cycle, and minimal intervention, there is plenty of space in a 3 gallon container to accommodate an auto flower.

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I agree, all i grow are autos, I use 2.5 gal smart pots and IMO they are just right for autos.

hoss12781 said:

I hate to hate on your pot selection but the plastics are not the best way to go. Air pots will give you better results and with two gallons you'll sacrifice some yield. You'll want at least four gal to max them out.

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oh I agree air pots are a better pot but I was just showing him there is cheap pots he could use and make more bud... he did say..
"I've already spent $700+ on supplies. I spent my student loans on a bud garden. I'm a broke college student lol."
I have to disagree with you on the need 4 gal to max them out maybe for some autos but not for all, I have grown 3 auto strains and none of them got any bigger in bigger pots past 2 gal..I tried 2 liter, 1 gal, 2gal,3gal and 5gal..2 gal give me as much as 5 gal per plant but I had way less overall because I had less pots/plants..I do use subcool's supersoil that's a very hot soil maybe why they don't use it all up...but for the bigger autos sure I could see using bigger pots..

All I was really saying is you'll be hard pressed to pull 80 grams off an auto in a 2 gallon pot. This can be accomplished with a 5 gallon smart pot. I'm at the point where I am consistently hitting close to if not more than 2 oz per plant in 5 gal, the 80g monster was a freaky large pheno.

If number of plants isn't a factor for you then have at it with as many 2 gal pots and plants as you want and you'll probably have more efficient use of your grow area. This isn't feasible for me and the laws in my area.

TheChodesman said:

Kentucky has strict marijuana laws, but Indiana is worse.

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actually one of most lax in the east, up t 8 oz is a misd. and max of yr(95% or more plead and get probation tho)

as for max yield per plant should look into DWC I've seen 8 oz. from single 5 gallon for photos, might take an extra 2-4 weeks for veg but more than worth it imo.

this got me to thinking, so i went out and got the floor out of my 3x3 tent and 16 - 2 gal buckets, they fit nice. i could also fit 12 - 3 or 5 gal buckets (mine are the same diameter, just different heights). i also tried the square 4 gal (think waterfarm) and got 16 of those in their nice. while i was goofin, i grabbed some 1 gal grow bags. i put 30 empty and got tired of poppin them open but i probably could of fit 10 more, so i would say 25-30 with soil in them. i think theres lots that will fit but imo you still only have 9 sq ft of area. depending on which auto or way of thinking, .5 to 1 sq ft per plant? so thats 9-18 plants. since buckets = weight, the 16 - 4 gal square pots seems like the big titties to me! lol! swing by the local donut shop and grab you some, they only want a buck or so each, but you gotta wash and drill em. the bakery in my local supermarket is also a cheap place to experiment with bucket sizes. good luck to ya!

you fit more 4 gallons in the space than 3 gallons?

Yeah my 4 gals are square and my 3s are round like a 5 gal, just shorter.

hoss12781 said:

5 gallon pots for sure if you want max yieldView attachment 1930140View attachment 1930141View attachment 1930142View attachment 1930143View attachment 1930144View attachment 1930145View attachment 1930147View attachment 1930150

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Nice plants man! A+

is that low stress trained?

CultivationDude said:

is that low stress trained?

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They couldve been a little, but it doesnt really look like they were.

hi.

will 2.5 gallon pot size be enough for an autoflower to herhaps give around 30g(one plant)?.
(take for granted that water,food,light etc etc is problem free and optimal.)

almost at harvest with an auto in 3gal under led @ 24hrs. i'm expecting an ounce, would likely be more if the hours of light were shortened. what i've noticed is that 24hrs has most likely crippled the yield as the plant is rather short and bushy even with lst (harder for penetration in lower sites). i wouldn't even dream of using anything bigger than a 3gal since photoperiod have more potential and can be pushed to greater lengths. @altredux

Well I grew fast & vast last year in 4 gallon pots got almost 3 zip per plant but they were root bound, so this year is thc bomb in 7 gal pots. Growing big but drinking a lot

I'm using 7 gallon air pots for my autos. First grow. I thought the bigger the pot the better. Figured what's the big deal with extra soil, nutrients ext. it takes forever to water, they take up tons of space and overall just take so much more time. Hate to pitch the air pots at this stage but next run I'm defo gonna raise the bottom at least 30%

I'm running 2 lights that cover a 5x5 area for 11 plants. If I had smaller pots I could easily double that amount.

Leds look funny since I adjusted the red and blues to zero. Better picture I assume

i uswd in my all three grows 18l pots (about 4gal) and i got 2oz per plant -/+ 0.30oz..

Big smo said:

View attachment 3636963 I'm using 7 gallon air pots for my autos. First grow. I thought the bigger the pot the better. Figured what's the big deal with extra soil, nutrients ext. it takes forever to water, they take up tons of space and overall just take so much more time. Hate to pitch the air pots at this stage but next run I'm defo gonna raise the bottom at least 30%

I'm running 2 lights that cover a 5x5 area for 11 plants. If I had smaller pots I could easily double that amount.

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what led are u using?

Kind k5's 1000 watts x2 they draw 650 or so at the wall

This looks interesting to me..