I started my girls almost a year ago lol. Started them inside during Christmas last year. I used soil as my compound. I don’t feed my plant, all natural. The soil I use has plenty of food. I recently transplanted into 9 gallon pots, with more nutrient filled soil to take the girls through flower. I had a great spot outside but they got to tall and the light cycle won’t cut back enough to get a good full harvest before the cold weather hits again. So I moved them back inside and put under two 600 w hps. The girls love it. Anyway that’s a little of the back story. Just keep trying. Also I pretty sure autos won’t get to terribly big. My one girl is almost 6’ tall and I grow from seed . Let me know what I can do to help