Growing Autoflowers in Coco Coir

Growing auto flowering varieties has become quite popular amongst the new generation of hobby growers due to their fast turnaround and compact size, making them ideal for many new and experienced growers.

Auto flowering varieties completely mature from seed to harvest in 8-12 weeks, which means they are not subject to photoperiodism.

Autos are Day-neutral plants which means they flower without regard to photoperiod.

Canna plants (short-day plants) actually flower without an inductive photoperiod, in this particular plant the induced photoperiod merely causes flowering to occur sooner, this is known as facultative photoperiodism.

Short-day plants vegetate best when the daylight hours are extended beyond normal. When the day hours are longer, the P-fr (Far-red) stores, cannot fully decay before the light comes back on, keeping the plant in a vegetative state.

Short-day plants exposed to a longer dark period (12+ hours) are able to fully decay their built-up stores of p-fr, which initiates phytochrome to trigger flowering.

For some plants, the requirement for a dark period is absolute, they are classified as long-night plants and they will not flower until exposed to long nights, this is known as obligate photoperiodism.

HOW MANY AUTO’S CAN YOU GROW IN A 1.2M/SQ.(4X4’) SPACE 

Selecting how many plants, really does determine the required end result especially if weight is a concern. Growing regular photoperiod varieties in this space is vastly different in comparison, one plant will fill this space quite effectively whereas most Auto’s will not.

The numbers are always a preference, so always do what is comfortable for your current situation. Most would grow 4-6 in this space, be aware that lower numbers may not fill the space as effectively.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GROW & TRANSPLANT AUTOS? 

• Despite popular belief, you can start your seedling in a much smaller pot than the suggested final container.

• Germinate the seed in preferred starter plug/cube. (See germination)

• Once the seed has its first pair of serrated true leaves transplant the plug to a 100ml pot using coco: perlite mix (80:20)
  
  
• The seedling will thrive in this pot over the next 7-14 days
  
  Once the seedling has developed a nice root ball we now transplant to the final pot very carefully (Always wear gloves)
  
  
• Now the plant is in its final pot we must feed daily, obviously, we want a moist pot, not saturated, if it is saturated then only feed small amounts of food, and try to encourage consumption.

AUTOS AND LIGHTING

• Week 1 - 2 low-medium light exposure (18/6)
• Week 3 – 10 medium-High light exposure (16/8)
• Week 10 – 12 Medium light exposure (12/12)

(ON/OFF)

 *Note: Germination (7-10 day’s) low light levels, ideally T5 lighting. (20/4) 

AUTOFLOWERING FEEDING - pH & EC

Like any plant we are feeding, we don’t go straight to the max dose, rather a gradual build of nutrition relative to the growth of the plant.

Over the entire grow most Auto’s will generally not consume an EC above 1.8, in fact an EC higher than that will actually do the exact opposite of the intended outcome.

Less is more with Auto’s, for example here is a chart that should help you understand the building blocks of an auto

BASIC FOODS, BASIC ADDITIVES! 

• A/B Base nutrients
• Cal/Mag/Iron
• PK

For those growers practicing opting to grow without liquid nutrition and want to make their own complete soils, I highly recommend you check out Jeff Lowenfels new book, you can grab a copy here!