I have a question concerning yield in relation to amount of plants. I'm in the process of constructing a grow box for a micro grow. This isn't my first rodeo but still fairly new to growing these plants, with only a few successful grows in my experience. This will be my second autoflower grow (went against photo's because space, and especially time are my main issues, I leave for a few weeks over Christmas, however I have someone reliable I live with that can keep an eye on things if I can't finish before then it's going to be close either way.) My question is regarding the yield in relation to quantity of plants. My understanding is (of course there are many factors that determine yield) adding more plants will take light and resources away from the others. For example, if 1 plant yields an oz, by adding a second plant will I get another oz or just a half oz on each plant under the same exact conditions without adding more light? I understand there are many variables but just in general would I be better off filling out the space with as many plants as I can fit, or would I be better with a few plants that aren't competing and taking away light from each other? Thanks in advanced to anyone that can help. Peace. PS. Anyone have experience with growing a Cheese berry AF?
The only way to figure it out is to test it with your plants and preferred grow style - you could get 2 ozs with those two plants, even if you got a single ounce on one plant. Your limiting factor is light penetration and spread when it comes to plant count versus heavy plants. The only light that is really "stolen" is when plants block each other, or you lose light on plants touching the outside edges of your light footprint.... See where I'm going with this? In a micro I personally think a single cola style SOG is your best option for Max yield/time spent growing, just spread your light as evenly as possible... You can throw huge numbers with a couple plants vegged for longer and proper use of LST.... I wish you the best brother. 135w UFO LED Micro Grow: http://forum.grasscity.com/index.php?/topic/1308910-135W-Led--Organic-1St-Grow
Thanks for the input man, I was planning on putting lights along the sides of the box as well to help get some better overall light penetration. I also wasn't sure about doing any training or topping with autoflowers
Lst is fine, wouldn't top an autoflower. 135w UFO LED Micro Grow: http://forum.grasscity.com/index.php?/topic/1308910-135W-Led--Organic-1St-Grow
your yields are mostly gonna be decided by how much light you're using and how big the plants are going into flower..or how big and healthy you can grow autos. IMO the best yield you can get is with a high density sog...tons of little plants. As tenshuu said...single cola plants, packed in nice and tight. This of course requires tone of clones or seeds, so it isn't for everyone. Think of it this way...more plants means less veg time....you need to fill up your grow area with plants. If there's too many plants or branches...you can always trim some out. You could also grow a single plant...but then you have to veg it longer to fill out the area before flower. More plants usually equals higher yields and faster harvests. A single plant is less work, but you also put all your eggs in one basket so to speak.
I would recemmend against SOGs for autos. There is very little predictability of having any sort of even canopy even in the same strain. One plant could end up 3 feet the other 16 inches. Loki has an Auto Help thread that has a ton of great info or you could ask him and a couple auto experienced folks and get quick turn around. Best to get the autos on 20/4 and feed them the best. imagine them as being plants with a high metabolism.
I have no experience with autos. I want to get some outside early next year tho. How big of a micro grow are we talking? http://forum.grasscity.com/index.php?/topic/1335301-Stanky's-perpetual-garden
You guys are awesome, thanks for the suggestions. I was concerned with any type of stress with auto's, what I'm trying to avoid is a small yield, I love experimenting with this plant but this time its about production and not wasting time and money. I've had dinky auto yields in the past but that was due to inexperience with autoflowers (underestimated pot size, lighting not enough, and too much stress, that grow was more for shits and giggles.) This time around I'm going with 3 gallon pots, more than enough light (cfl's, on a budget here and had past success along with many others) I still have to get a medium, always go organic I'm going to try and find or make a lightly amended soil that is airy. Still prepping but my seeds should arrive by early next week and then straight to germination, so now I'm just trying to figure out my situation. I think the root of my question was more along the lines of the plants light usage, in terms of if photosynthesis and bud production are effected by plant quantity? I know yield is influenced by many factors I just wasn't sure if the amount of plants had any impact on this, its been a while since I grew or did any research, awesome feeling getting back in the mix. Thanks again for the help.
Why organic? What exactly are you calling organic? Check out Happy Frog Potting Soil and a little perlite. The hydro sales told me it is soil for dummies.
As of now nothing too big under ten plants for sure probably 5-7 hoping to at least get 3 or 4 good ones, and they are feminized seeds so not to worried about males more concerned with stress and hermies. I'm limited by my funds and I know soil is one of my final expenses, this may determine the size of the grow, but if I can fill out the box with plants I think I will go for plant quantity here.
Yeah I was thinking fox farms and I heard happy frog is a light version of some of their other mixes, however I'm probably going to the local nursery to check out what they have. What about Black Gold brands I've heard mixed reviews about this brand.
Well I've always been under the impression that its best to avoid some of the synthetic chemicals in soils, I've heard things like the taste and quality is better, maybe this was referring to the final stages and flushing. What are your thought on organic soils? I was also thinking of getting neptunes liquid fish/seaweed fert
Do not get me wrong, organic is good but it has its own list disadvantages as well. if yield is your goal and hasslefree (as possible) I would not grow fully organically until after a few small tries at it. I do not want to stir up the elitist attitudes I get from the organic guys so i will let you contrast and compare before heading down that road. there is an organic section that you can ask about and get their input. Of course like anything else you will get bias so hopefully those replying can point out not only its advantages but disadvantages for you You will have to be much more dilligent to control pests, soil diseases, weeds, understand the way organics nutrient deliveries differ than commercial soils. If you have the time and passion to commit to organic go for it. I do not, maybe one day i will. Most of what you eat is not organic, rarely anything you drink is and with all that we are living longer healthier lives than we did 100-200 years ago when we just had organics. Check these out. https://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=A0LEVySEVCxUedIAcCZXNyoA;_ylu=oDMTEzbTQ0OGx0BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1ZJUDQ0Ml8x?qid=20080808045246AAiBPdH http://www.gardenguides.com/89376-soils-plants.html http://www.gardenguides.com/80174-benefits-potting-soil.html http://www.ehow.com/info_8018842_advantages-soils.html
That does make sense, especially the point about pests and other factors especially considering I'm indoors, would you still suggest a fox farm product like happy frog? And as far as nutes go anything else I should take into consideration before purchasing neptunes? Also I agree with you on commercial products and their misleading advertising. Edit: Sorry let me check out those links, thanks.
Check out my thread, 1st Time Auto in the section. i am getting ready to post up the Cream Caramel. These are autos. Also I can show you how the photo Papaya has come along. This plant had all its leaves burned by the light except the single leaf that starts out before the leaves emerge.
Yeah man, love reading grow journals, good way to see what people are growing and their set ups. Thanks for all the help, I'll definitely take those things into consideration when I'm purchasing soil.
Why are you worried about stress and hermies? Hermies can be stress induced http://forum.grasscity.com/index.php?/topic/1335301-Stanky's-perpetual-garden
If you grow organic, and want it to be easy as pie with premixed soil that you only have to water from seedling to flower - buildasoil.com has a 2 cu ft. Deal for $35+ shipping. Your plant will have every bit of nutrition it needs to grow great bud. Organics is intended to be simple - it can be made complicated with extra information about teas, but you don't NEED them, they aren't like bottled nutrients. 135w UFO LED Micro Grow: http://forum.grasscity.com/index.php?/topic/1308910-135W-Led--Organic-1St-Grow
I would highly recommend he hit up the organic threads for a while and search there to know what he is getting into. I would say that about any new venture. I love thier gro-pot! I asked the Smart Pot folks why the did not have handles on their pots. I am buying some right now! While expensive compared to Smart Pots i would pay the extra money. let me surf the net on these! http://buildasoil.com/collections/frontpage/products/geo-pot-10-gallon-tan-with-handles