a couple, 1 welcome to the farm.
This place is wonderful.
All the help you can shake a stick at. 2
So, autos, def not the best for beginners.
A fem or reg run would be best to cut your teeth. Autos you really are at their will because they flip to flower when they damned well feel like. 3 don’t top the plant. I wouldn’t really worry about that at all. I would focus on getting good fundamentals and a successful harvest. 4 a reg of fem run will give you plenty of time In veg to correct anything nutritional wise and pruning training wise before flip.
Auto, you prune or top a day or two late, and it switches to flower, you end up with an even smaller auto.
Good luck!