First Time Autoflower Grow. Could Use a Bit of Advice

Sup guys just joined, and plan on starting a grow soon or later. Im going to grow indoors autoflowering strain Ak48 using 100watt EQUIVALENT cfl's, now im not sure if these are good or not if not i have a few 400 watt MH's already with a transformer built attatched to the lamp with just a chord that plugs into an outlet running 20/6, not sure which one would work better. Im going to use foxfarm soil, but now where do i go now, should i water every 3 days after germinated and planted? And should i add food along with the water? Also I have searched and searched but have yet to really come across a STEP by STEP to growing an autoflower strain SUCCESSFULLY, im having trouble after you get the plant germinated planted lol it may seem foolish but hey, newbie section.

Anything is appreciated, thanks.

i have not auto flowered but from my own research ive come to understand that plants still require a short veging period of about 2 weeks or so so they can grow stong enough roots and what not to become a strong healthy plant. so i would go with the 400w MH's and with the plant food it all really comes down to if the plants genetics can withstand the nutes this early in their life. and id just water as often as needed, when the soil appears dry chances are it needs watered. just experiment, you can do almost anything you want to a plant.

I dont have any experience with auto flower, but it is my understanding is it is a type of ruderalis. That is what allows it to auto flower. You plant the seed and throw as much light at it as you want / can and when it's ready it will flower. You dont have to switch to a 12/12 cycle to induce flowering. The fact you can blast a plant with 20 hour days during flowering results in very dense / large buds. However it is my understanding that the ruderalis variety of cannabis is not as potent as its indica and stativa counterparts. All plants require nutrients mainly nitrogen when vegetative growth is going on and phosphorus during its flowering cycle. Provided you are using a good quality potting soil I would not start supplemental nutrients until the leaves start to yellow. I would water when the top 1 - 1.5" of soil is dry.

Definitely go with the 400W MH. tpsmc is right about the auto flower and everything else he said for that matter lol. Thats why its called an auto flower. No need to change the lights. Have them on 16/8 or 18/6 or 20/4 or 24/0 whatever works for you. I went 24/0 with one and got about 1/2 oz of some really good smoke with an aerogarden on my 2nd ever grow. I get much larger yields now, but thats the only time I did an autoflower. With Fox Farms Ocean Forest you won't have to add any nutes the first month or two and should probably mix it with some sunshine mix or something to tone down the nutes that are already in it. Thats what I do. Same advice on watering. Stick your finger a couple knuckles deep in the soil and if you feel moisture its not time to water yet.

Wow thanks a bunch guys this really helped. Hopefully ill be able to take some pics, and they said Ak48 was the most potent autoflower avaible atm so, we'll see!

i've read somewhere that a light schedule of 20/4 produces the best yeild from an autoflower. definitely go with the 400mh and if you could swap it for a hps when the plants show sex

I do have the option to do that, since im an electrician my lighting sources are quite expandable =) Now my problem is that i need to anchor something to hold this, it weighs at least 25 pounds and i dont think my shelve can hold it. Downside= i live in apartments so i cant really do a whole lot of remodeling. Thanks again anything is appreciated.

HPS all the way is fine