i have no first hand experience with it, but a good friend of mine did a 25 plant grow of big bud...he was as amature as it gets, and had major temp problems throughout the grow...and it seemed to work out very well in the end...i cant quote exact weight but it was over 1oz a plant....so id say yes it is forgiving. As for feminized seed i cant say much ive never bought or used fem seed...although it has a higher rate of herming on you if stressed from what i read. Good luck