I've been growing for some time now, but using only the photoperiod varieties. I would like to include some autoflowering grows but unsure about the best lighting. It seems full spectrum LED lighting is generally recommended. But, I am unsure about the correct intensity, etc. I have a 4 X 4 X 7' hight grow room with air filtration running through an HPS closed canopy. Normally I grow two plants within the enclosure. So, I can re-route the air filtration but I need to get a fix on the physical size and wattage needed for my room. Any suggestions (including a manufacturer) would really be helpful.
I’m an old outdoor guy from yrs ago and just jumped back into growing. Learning the indoor grow and wrapping my arms around autoflowers has been a fun process. I’m kinda forced to grow autos right now because the 12 hr light deprivation would be a challenge with my setup. With autos a break in the dark period doesn’t affect them. I am trying to remedy this and eventually grow photos.
Anyway, u might consider running another plant or 2 (or 3) more than your normal number. I don’t know how long u normally vegged or how big your plants ended up….but the one thing I can tell u about autos is there’s still a wide spectrum of genetics out there and u could very well start a seed, having everything go perfectly, and end up with a 16-18” plant. I’m growing 3 autos under a
HLG 320w LED and it’s a great light. I am growing on a 18/6 light schedule (not that it matters) and one started flowering around day 26 and the other 2 not long after. So I was worried I would have no yield with such small plants. Luckily things went ok and my light is more than enough for those 3 plants. They stretched and ended up only 22” but have fat buds that are rock hard….but there was no way to get them any bigger.
I’ve seen guys get big yields from autos so it can be done……but don’t be surprised if they start flowering a lot earlier than you’d prefer. And do not believe a breeder’s timeline concerning finish time. My seeds said 9-10 weeks seed to harvest and I’m just passing week 16. Most grows chopped after 9 or 10 weeks are immature and not ripe. Fully expect another 3 weeks minimum.
The quality of the bud is no different, at least in my case and some other grows I’ve witnessed. Good luck.
