out of my three plants, i have one autoflower.

its very shrimpy and looks pretty weak.. is that just how they are?

I lack experience with auto-flower, however, I understand that the total yield that they produce is reduced, compared to non-auto-flowering plants.


Considering that, it wouldn't surprise me if they were typically smaller and shrimpy.

Side note: I like the strain Armageddon.

Best of Luck

cosmic spore, it is my understanding that is more due to a shorter growing season than anything else.

i have not heard of auto-flowers being gimpy, however i know that ime there is always at least one runt.


i don't have any experience yet, as i am anticipating growing my very first auto-flowering plants (i normally grow from clone, not seed)

I recently grew an auto alongside three other plants and immensely regretted it..

Not only did it feel like I was robbing myself of greater knowledge of what growing entails, the runt was nowhere near the decency, potency or yield from feminized seeds. I also feel like it sapped vital lumens from my other babes and thus decreased overall yield further.

LOL I know people who would balk at growing even "femmes" but I am a hydro guy, they suit me well.

I mean this out of curiosity and (of course) no disrespect but I find it odd that if someone can clone well they would then choose to go the auto route.

Best I have grown personally was Super Iced Grapefruit (a Grapefruit-kush variant I think).

you can't grow outside in AK (typically) because we have such a short growing season, and 20-22 hours of sunlight (which doesn't work for budding for obvious reasons).

it is my understanding this is literally why AF was created (For longer hours of light and a shorter growing period), so i figure i will check it out and see if i can get some successful outdoor AFs.


for indoor growing i cannot think of a really good reason to AF (especially since you can't propagate it, making you depending on purchasing seeds)

That always seemed to me the most powerful reason behind AF. They turn the grower dependent on the seed provider, by taking away the timing and propagation control.

I can see they are an interesting adaptation for growers living in cold climates, but most of the alleged advantages of AF strains are arguable, to say the least. They have short life cycles and allow the grower to harvest the plant earlier - but the time edge is lost because of smaller yields. Actually, a steady propagation using clones from a good mother plant will deliver a much bigger harvest per time unit in the long run.

And even if you intend to grow only a small amount and want to work from seed, no clones involved, the days saved with an AF don't pay off IMO. Most likely, you will use more light hours overall, and the results generally show it's not cost-effective. A timer for your light fixture costs only a few bucks and it's set up in a minute, and you get to decide when to switch it to 12/12.

So, to the OP - Yes, they are in average smaller and wimpier than regular plants. They have C. Ruderalis genes... and there's a reason why C. Sativa has been clearly preferred through history.

i actually have two regular plants and only 1 autoflower. the autoflower is so i can get some before summer to last me up until the regulars flower.

My bad, I assume when hearing about AFs that it would be indoor grow (seems odd to use AF in outdoor setting but then I am not in AK so do not know their weather patterns.. In the UK it would be a total waste (imho)).. I'm a "Secret Jardin" man myself (120)

I do firmly believe however that (as mentioned) it does rob the grower of various vital learning aspects in general (perfecting veg, learning to flip to flower etc) whilst creating potential for monopolistic practices by seed banks..

I tend to do as follows for femmes (I add following for sake of posterity)..

(on/off)
24/0 for 2 weeks
18/6 for 3 weeks (or 2 depending on strain)
12/12 for 7 weeks
11/13 for 2 weeks (or until trichomes are how I like them)

then I give them a good 24 hours of darkness before starting the dry/cure process.

And of course, don't forget to flush