Autoflower vs photo period? 12-13 week grow window.

[Jaykay]

Hey Everyone!
I've been afforded the opportunity to get back into gardening but have a short window of 12-13 weeks to grow from seed.
I've been wondering if an autoflower grow would be the best way to go? Or should I just stick with vegging from seed for 3-4 weeks and then 12-12 to flower for 8-9 weeks? Also 12-12 from seed could be another option?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[growsince79]

Hey Everyone!
I've been afforded the opportunity to get back into gardening but have a short window of 12-13 weeks to grow from seed.
I've been wondering if an autoflower grow would be the best way to go? Or should I just stick with vegging from seed for 3-4 weeks and then 12-12 to flower for 8-9 weeks? Also 12-12 from seed could be another option?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Fast photo 18-6 from seed then 12-12 after 3.5 weeks.

 

[Jaykay]

Fast photo 18-6 from seed then 12-12 after 3.5 weeks.

Thanks for the input! This is what I am leaning towards. Do you think topping a few days before 12/12 would be beneficial?

 

[growsince79]

Thanks for the input! This is what I am leaning towards. Do you think topping a few days before 12/12 would be beneficial?

Don't top less than a week before flipping. I would top once after the 4th set. Maybe a second time on day 17-18 if they grew fast enough.

 

[Jaykay]

Don't top less than a week before flipping. I would top once after the 4th set. Maybe a second time on day 17-18 if they grew fast enough.

Ok thanks. I figured I'd top before 3 weeks if they were big enough. Any suggestions on a faster flowering strain? Thinking it'll have to be more on the indica side due to time constraints.

 

[growsince79]

My last grow I topped @14 and again @ 22 days. That's 29 days you need to flip. Need a really fast strain or just top once or not at all. You can wait till day 21 and bend it over and start 12-12 then.

 

[Jaykay]

My last grow I topped @14 and again @ 22 days. That's 29 days you need to flip. Need a really fast strain or just top once or not at all. You can wait till day 21 and bend it over and start 12-12 then.

Ya I'll only be able to top once. Ideally I'd like 4-5 plants with a couple main colas each. I've never put a plant into 12/12 before 6 weeks though so just trying to figure out the best method to optimize time/yield.

 

[Jaykay]

My last grow I topped @14 and again @ 22 days. That's 29 days you need to flip. Need a really fast strain or just top once or not at all. You can wait till day 21 and bend it over and start 12-12 then.

Have you had success with the bending method? I've only ever lst'd branches not a whole plant

 

[biggerbud420]

Have you had success with the bending method? I've only ever lst'd branches not a whole plant

this is what happend to me when i bent a photo period down half way and flipped to 12/12 at 6 weeks

 

[biggerbud420]

 

[Jaykay]

this is what happend to me when i bent a photo period down half way and flipped to 12/12 at 6 weeks View attachment 1064688View attachment 1064690

Looks great! Nice canopy of tops. I'll only be able to veg for 3-4 weeks from seed though. I'm thinking topping once will probably be the best option.