Am curious about Experienced Growers opinions about how they grow their outdoor autoflower plants. Do you sow the seed directly into a 3gallon pot (or the same pot it flowers in) or do you transplant multiple times with different sized pots. I have read/heard alot of different views and pinions about this topic. I have heard some say that the seed needs to be sowed directly into large 3 gallon pot so proper root ball can develop. Also that because of the short life cycle of the autoflower plant the act of transplanting can actually damage the plant itself ; the idea being that the plant would not have enough time to recover from the shock of a transplant. I am hoping for clarification on this topic because as I said I have heard many different opinions on it. Would appreciate any help that I can recieve from any Serious Growers.- Thank You
Hey there man! I am not an experienced grower by any means, I am currently doing my first grow and I am growing Barneys Sweet Tooth Auto. I can tell you from my own experience that you want to sow them straight into their final pots, I did a mix of sowing into final pots and starting some in small pots and I can tell you there is a MASSIVE difference. Transplanting them stunted them severely and I threw multiple transplants away because they were so small in comparison and didn't see a point in carrying on. Hope that helps bro, Peace
I suggest that you only transplant once. The other guys are almost correct but theirs a reason to start in a seperate container but for only the first week or so. If you start in the final container you risk burning the plants with a soil too rich for a delicate seedling. Start in a solo cup with drainage holes, once you have a set or two if true leaves transplant to the final. Don't let the plant become rootbound. You want it to be just past the delicate stag where it can handling the stronger soil. To start the seedling use a soil for germination such as a nutrient free soil or one with little nutrients. Once in the final pot leave the plant to grow naturally, no training, topping. I suggest placing them in at least 5 gallon pot and in the sunniest spot you can use. They need as much as possible due to their short veg period. I would even move them if they get shade during certain times of the day. If you can move indoors at night and place them under light for the first month or so the plants will benifit from the additional light. Check out my outdoor grow journal to see my autos. I had one get stunted and it greatly affected it. I let it grow and you can see the smallest flowered plant I have ever seen. Gonna get 3 bowls worth from it but it's still a dense flower.