Looking to get better yields from your autoflower garden? These tips will help you get the most out of your autos, but remember, good genetics are the very first step! Keep reading this quick guide to bigger yields from autoflower cannabis.
Autoflowering strains have greatly improved over the years. Achieving bigger autoflower yields is no longer something that should be doubted. Respectable yields from autoflower strains should be expected if you follow the basic principles outlined in this simple guide to increase autoflower yields.
The first and most crucial step is to choose the right auto-flowering strain(s). As you may know, 9/10 times, the yield is strain-dependent.
Here are a few of our favorite, high-yielding auto-flower strains:
You can view our whole list of Best High Yield Autoflower strains.
How to get bigger yields from autoflowers?
The best ways to get bigger yields from autoflowers are:
1. Plant seeds in a larger container, minimum 5-gallon.
2. Grow autoflower strains in lighter, airy soilless growing media with excellent drainage. The most ideal is coco, the preferred media here at Paramount Seed Farms.
3. Do not transplant. Always grow autoflower strains in the same pot for the plant’s entire life cycle.
4. Increase the Dark/Night period throughout cycle. Start with no dark period and gradually increase to 8 hours for the last week of flower.
5. Focus on root development with microbes and beneficials for the first two weeks of the plant’s life.
6. Foliar feed your plants for the first three weeks of life.
7. Increase nutrient/feeding EC as plants mature and show signs of strong growth.
8. Utilize low-stress training techniques from the start of branching to increase bud sites and ‘main colas’.
Best tips for bigger autoflower yields
Container Size
If you are growing your plants in soil, Paramount Seed Farms recommends a 5-gallon container. If you are growing your plants in hydroponic systems, increase fertigation and/or nutrient solution PPM/EC to increase your plants’ uptake.
Growing Medium
Lighter, airy soilless mixes are recommended with excellent drainage. The most ideal is coco, the preferred media here at Paramount Seed Farms. Add perlite to make your medium lighter and airier. If using Pro Mix (Our preferred medium), mix more perlite into your pot(s), approximately 25% perlite and 75% Pro Mix.
If you prefer hydroponics, you will get the best yields from auto-flowers by using the DWC method.
Transplanting
Always grow autoflower strains in the same pot for the plant’s entire life cycle. Transplanting autoflower strains can result in stunting and stress. Some autos will herm due to the stress from transplanting.
Although some growers have reported success in transplanting their autoflowering strains, it is not recommended.
Lighting Schedule
For the first 18 days or so, run your lights for 24 hours. Starting the 19th day, switch the lights to 18 hours on and 6 hours off. *Keep your lights at the perfect height early to prevent unwanted stretching.
- Day 1 – 18: Lights on 24 hours
- Day 19 – ?: Lights on 18-20 hours (your preference)
- Final 7 – 10 days: Lights on 16 hours. This helps with finish. The result will be bigger autoflower yields as well as the overall quality of your finished buds
Beneficials
Using beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae will jumpstart growth and get your plant’s roots exploding. Bigger the roots, the bigger the fruits.
We use Tribus and have been testing MYCO Jordan with excellent results in our photoperiod gardens.
Using beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae will help plants grow faster and produce bigger fruits.
Foliar Feeding
It’s recommended to start foliar feeding your plants after 10 days, but this can be changed to 2 weeks if you choose to. We suggest using Canopy and LAB to feed your plants because they are safe and effective. We also suggest using 1/2 strength for autoflowering plants because they will need more help initially. *Canopy can be used throughout the entire growth cycle if you choose to.
- Start foliar feeding after 10 days once a week for 2 weeks
- Use 1/2 strength for autoflowering
- Canopy can be used throughout the entire growth cycle if you choose to
Nutrient Feeding
One way to increase the yield and quality of your autoflower cannabis plants is to follow a nutrient-feeding program. This will help give the plants the nutrients they need to flourish and produce high-quality buds. Choosing the proper nutrients for your autoflower cannabis plants is essential, as overfeeding can cause problems such as heavy and dense flowers and low yields. Follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer of your nutrient supplement to ensure success.
Use 1/2-strength nutrient feeding. *Apply 1 feed at about day 8 at 1/4 strength. No other feeding in until first signs of flower.
Plant Training
The only type of plant training for autoflowers that we recommend is LST (Low Stress Training). Start bending and tying down branches after roughly 21-24 days. Use Rapiclip wire or Twist Ties.
Combining the previously mentioned tips with your standard growing practices while growing photoperiod plants will get bigger yields from auto-flowering strains.
Here you can find a quick and straightforward guide to growing autos in soil or, better yet, grow excellent flowers by only adding water to your plants… Learn about Super Soil – Super Soil Recipes.