5 Best Autoflower Feeding Schedules and Nutrients [2024]

Not sure the best way to feed your autos to get the highest yield and best growth rate or the correct autoflower feeding schedule?

In this post, I will walk through the best autoflower nutrient feeding schedule to maximize growth throughout your autoflower cannabis plant life cycle. Increase your growth rate, production, and autoflowering plant quality from seed to harvest.

Looking for a guide to bigger autoflower yields?

TLDR;

Autoflowers require a nutrient-rich environment with the right balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and smaller amounts of other elements. Using a feeding schedule specifically designed for autoflowers is important to ensure proper growth and avoid nutrient burn.

  • Autoflowers need the “big three” nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as other elements like calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
  • Autoflowers are genetically programmed to flower automatically without changing the light cycle.
  • There are different autoflower strains with unique genetics and growing requirements, but all require a nutrient-rich environment.
  • A feeding schedule for autoflowers should provide the right amount of nutrients at each growth stage, from seedling to harvest.
  • Recommended feeding schedules include gradually increasing the strength of nutrients as the plant progresses.
  • Advanced Nutrients, Fox Farm, Mills Nutrients, and FloraFlex are some nutrient brands recommended for autoflowers.
  • Pay attention to your plant’s needs and avoid overfeeding or overwatering, which can harm the plants.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and adjust the feeding schedule for optimal growth and yield.

Types of Nutrients for Autoflowers

There are three main types of nutrients that autoflowers need to grow and produce buds: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are often referred to as the “big three” nutrients. In addition, autoflowers also need smaller amounts of other elements, such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

Autoflowers are a type of cannabis genetically programmed to flower automatically, regardless of the photoperiod. This makes them a popular choice for growers who want to avoid the hassle of having to change the light cycle to induce flowering.

Advanced Nutrients for Autoflowers

There are many different autoflower strains available, each with its own unique set of genetics and growing requirements. However, all autoflowers share one common trait: they all need a nutrient-rich environment in order to thrive.

When growing autoflowers, it is important to use a nutrient system specifically designed for them. This will ensure that your plants get all the nutrients they need in the right proportions. Many general-purpose cannabis nutrient systems will work fine for autoflowers, but some are specifically tailored for this purpose.

When to start feeding your autoflowering cannabis plant?

As a general rule of thumb, you should start feeding your autos when they are vegetative. However, this can vary depending on the strain and grower. Some growers wait until their autoflowering strains are in the seedling stage, while others wait until they are in flower.

The best way to determine when to start feeding your autoflower plant is to consult a feed schedule. There are many different schedules available, so be sure to choose one that is suitable for your particular strain and growing conditions. You should also be aware of the potential for nutrient burn, so start with a low dose and increase gradually as needed.

Best autoflowering cannabis feeding schedule

The best autoflower feeding schedule provides the right amount of nutrients for the plant at each stage of growth. Autoflowers are different from other cannabis plants in that they do not need a change in light cycle to flower.

This means that growers can keep them on a vegetative schedule for their entire life cycle. However, it is still important to provide the right nutrients at each stage of growth. The best way to do this is to use a feed schedule designed specifically for autoflowers. This feeding schedule will ensure that your plants get the right amount of nutrients at each growth stage and avoid nutrient burn.

I follow This simple feeding schedule when feeding nutrients to autoflowers. Around week 5 of flowering, flush your autoflowering cannabis plants and remove any excess nutrients or salts. This prevents issues and your buds from tasting too “nutty”. Always follow manufacturer feed charts as a baseline for calculating this feeding schedule.

What’s the best Autoflowering Nutrient Feeding Schedule?

Week 1: Seedling -› strength veg. nutes every other watering + Root growth enhancer

Week 2: ¼ strength veg. nutes + Root growth enhancer + Floralicious Plus Foliar Feed

Week 3: ½ strength veg. nutes + Root growth enhancer + Floralicious Plus Foliar Feed

Week 4: Full strength veg. nutes + Root growth enhancer + Floralicious Plus Foliar Feed

Week 5: Pre-flowering – ½ strength veg. nutes + ¼ strength bloom + Root growth enhancer

Week 6: Full strength bloom nutes

Week 7: Full strength bloom nutes

Week 8: Full strength bloom nutes

Week 9: Full strength bloom nutes

Week 10: Ripening – ¾ strength bloom nutes

Week 11: Flushing – Plain water is much more effective with Gen Hydro FloraKleen, Athena Cleanse, Advanced Nutrients Flawless Finish, or Botanicare Clearex

Generally, this schedule works as an autoflower feeding schedule soil and hydro.

Best Nutrients for Autoflowers

Advanced Nutrients Autoflower Feeding Schedule by 420 FastBuds

Advanced Nutrients Autoflower Feeding Schedule
Advanced Nutrients Feeding Schedule – Advanced Nutrients Feeding Chart – Advanced Nutrients Cannabis Feeding Schedule – Autoflower Nutrient Schedule


Advanced Nutrients Bloom, Micro & Grow, Pack of 3, 1 L Each

Humboldt’s Secret – Feeding Schedule


Complete Nutrient Pack

Humboldts Secret Starter Kit Pack – World’s Best Indoor & Outdoor Plant Fertilizer and Nutrient System: Base A & B – Golden Tree – Flower Stacker – Plant Enzymes – CalMag & Iron
  • GROW THE PERFECT CROP: With our nutrients you will be able to grow the perfect crop. Our starter kit is proven to make the perfect harvest and it will save you time and pain to get there.
  • MAKES 125-150 GALLONS OF SOLUTION: Enjoy between 125 and 150 gallons of premium-quality nutrient solution to provide proper care and food for potting soil for indoor plants and outdoor plants. Base A & B (Quart Set), Flower Stacker (Quart), Calmag & Iron (Quart), Golden Tree (16 Ounce), Plant Enzymes (8 Ounce)
  • COMPATIBLE IN ALL GROW MEDIUMS: Perfectly suited for use in all growing mediums. Whether it’s gravel, sand, coco mix, or hydroponics, Humboldts Secret Starter Kit will help your plants!

Last update on 2024-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Fox Farm – Nutrient Feeding Schedules


Fox Farm Liquid Plant Fertilizer: Big Bloom, Grow Big, Tiger Bloom

Mills Nutrients – Feeding Calculator


Mills Nutrients Complete Starter Kit

FloraFlex Nutrients – Feeding Charts

FloraFlex Nutrients Starter w/ Bulky-B

*Add foliar feeding 2x/week of Floralicious Plus to increase growth rate and improve overall plant health.

Auto Seedling Phase

Reduce the recommended dose to 1/8 strength and feed every other watering until the 2nd set of true leaves have fully developed. Feed a Mycorrhizae, root growth enhancer, or other beneficial microbes to increase root growth and production.

DO NOT OVERWATER.

Allow for some dry-back if growing in a substrate (soil, coco, rockwool).

If growing from autoflower seed in hydroponics, maintain pH between 5.8 and 6.4, 1/8 nutrient solution.

Increase to 3/4 to full strength veg nutes after 2nd set of true leaves are fully developed for roughly 1 week.

Auto Veg/Pre-flower Stage

Since the vegetative growth stage for ruderalis cannabis plants doesn’t truly happen, we are looking for a nutrient that contains an NPK ratio similar to 2-1-1. An example might be a nutrient (veg, flower, micro, whatever the manufacturer might label it as) with NPK 20-10-10 or 10-5-5.

Auto-Flowering Stage

One pre-flower has started as each lighted node (tops or branches that the light reaches without shade) begins to feed the flowering formula at full strength.

*Always pay close attention to what your plants are telling you. They may want more or less food at any given stage. Always be careful of nutrient burn and overwatering. Autoflower growers know that any lost day with an issue with overwatering, overfeeding, or pests can diminish yield. No one wants the yield of the damaged autoflower plant.

Easy to Grow Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds

FastBuds Purple Punch Autoflowering Seeds

FastBuds Purple Punch Auto Seeds

The FastBuds Purple Punch Auto is a heavy eater and can handle most of the nutrients you throw at her after week 3 from sprout.

FastBuds Wedding Glue Auto Seeds

FastBuds Wedding Glue Autoflower Seeds

Wedding Glue Autoflower by FastBuds prefers a nutrient-feeding solid schedule. The more you feed her, the bigger she grows!

FastBuds Mimosa Cake Autoflower Seeds

FastBuds Mimosa Cake Autoflowering Seeds

Paramount’s autoflower feeding schedule is perfect strength to get the most out of FastBuds Mimosa Cake Autoflowering strain.

Autoflowering Nutrient Tips

Autoflowering plants are a great option for growers who want to maximize their yields. These plants have a shorter life cycle and can be grown with less attention than traditional cannabis strains. However, autoflowers still need to be properly fed in order to reach their full potential. Here are some tips on how to best feed your autoflowers:

  • High-quality nutrients: Autoflowers are especially sensitive to nutrients, so it’s important to use a fertilizer that is specifically designed for them.
  • Observe and Adapt Feed: Overfeeding can lead to nutrient burn, which can damage your plants. Make sure to follow the recommended feeding schedule for your particular strain.
  • Hydroponics: Autoflowers are particularly susceptible to root problems when grown in hydroponic systems. If you’re using hydroponics, be sure to monitor your plants: check pH, light leaks, reservoir water temperature, and reservoir PPM/EC often.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your auto cannabis plants get the nutrients they need to thrive and produce large, healthy flowers.

420 Fast Buds – The Best Nutrients & Feeding Schedule for Autoflowering Cannabis – Episode 1

420 Fast Buds – The Best Nutrients & Feeding Schedule for Autoflowering Cannabis – Episode 2

Feed Schedule and Nutrients for Autoflowers FAQs

When should I give my Autoflower nutrients?

Start feeding your Autoflower once it has germinated and opened from the seed at ½ strength. This is a risk. However, adding organic nutrients and/or root stimulators this early carries much less risk of burning and killing your seedling.

How do you feed Autoflower Advanced Nutrients?

The following autoflower feed schedule is what we have used with Advanced Nutrients feeding our autoflowering plants:
Week 1: Seedling – ½ strength veg. nutes every other watering + Root growth enhancer
Week 2: ¼ strength veg. nutes + Root growth enhancer + Floralicious Plus Foliar Feed
Week 3: ½ strength veg. nutes + Root growth enhancer + Floralicious Plus Foliar Feed
Week 4: Full strength veg. nutes + Root growth enhancer + Floralicious Plus Foliar Feed
Week 5: Pre-flowering – ½ strength veg. nutes + ¼ strength bloom + Root growth enhancer
Week 6: Full strength bloom nutes
Week 7: Full strength bloom nutes
Week 8: Full strength bloom nutes
Week 9: Full strength bloom nutes
Week 10: Ripening – ¾ strength bloom nutes
Week 11: Flush

When should I use Fox Farm nutrients on Autoflower?

You can use Fox Farm nutrients immediately after your seeds have germinated at ½ the recommended dosing.

Should I use nutrients every time I water?

Using nutrients every time you water your plants can potentially lead to nutrient imbalances or nutrient burn. It is important to follow the recommended dosage and frequency provided by the manufacturer. Over-fertilizing can harm the plants, so it’s best to monitor the nutrient requirements of your specific plants and adjust accordingly.

When to start feeding autoflowers?

You should start feeding autoflowers with nutrients when the first true leaves appear, usually around 2-3 weeks from germination.

Redd
Redd

Meet Redd, with over 14 years of experience in growing cannabis, Redd isn't just a knowledgeable expert in cannabis cultivation; he also have a humanistic touch that makes them relatable and trustworthy. Redd understands that growing cannabis is more than just a business; it's a lifestyle and a community. In his free time, Redd enjoys hiking, disc golf, playing with their dogs and cats, and trying out new strains of cannabis.

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