How much do auto-flowers yield?

Auto-flowers have become widely popular among growers, thanks to their quick growth to yield cycle and resilience to rookie mistakes. If you are about to grow your first auto-flower you are probably wondering how much can you expect after the harvest. In this article I will discover potential yields and prevent you from making rude mistakes that ruin the plant.

HOW MUCH CAN AUTO-FLOWERS YIELD?

I bet that somewhere you have heard that auto-flowers tend to land rather small yields and therefore they aren’t worth getting. It is not entirely true. First of all, auto-flowers have come a long way of selection and modification. Nowadays, they are able to deliver a steady 100-150 grams of dry buds, which is a sufficient amount, unless we are talking about commercial growing. On the other hand, classic Cannabis can indeed provide times larger yields, as their vegetative stage isn’t limited in time. 

However, big plants require significantly more attention, skills and equipment. Thus, from my point of view auto-flowers will always remain at the sweet spot of home growing. At the end of the day, 100 grams should be enough for several months. In the meantime, you always grow another auto-flower.

CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT YIELDS

There is a number of factors that determine the success of the growing project. Luckily, every single one is controllable, especially when growing indoors. Therefore the final yield 99% depends on how you are dealing with these variables. 

• Genetics

Different strains have different potentials. Typically seed banks tend to exaggerate the yields that strains can produce. However, most known volume oriented strains are truly able to give yields higher than usual.  If you are aiming at the impressive weight of dry buds I highly recommend trying Lemon Shining Silver Haze or Amnesia Haze.

• Environment

Environment in Cannabis growing projects stands for humidity and temperature that have to be monitored by thermometer and hygrometer. Keep in mind that best measures vary from one stage to another.  Below you can see the ideal values for the entire growing cycle.

Seedling stage	Vegetation stage	Early flowering	Late flowering
Temperature:  20–25°C	Temperature: 22–28°C	Temperature: 20–26°C	Temperature: 18–24°C
Humidity:  65-70%	Humidity: 40-70%	Humidity: 40-50%	Humidity: 30-40%

• Pot Size

Wrong pot size can limit the plant from unleashing its full potential. Lack of space negatively affects the plant’s growth and ultimately your yields. What is important is that the roots of your cannabis never run out of room. As a rule of thumb, it is best to choose the biggest containers you can practically fit in your grow area. That way, you never have to worry about your cannabis becoming root-bound. If you are limited in space, a container should not be smaller than at least 11 liters.

• Light

So far the most expensive investment, a good LED lamp will cost you around $150. However, it is a one-time expense. A decent lamp will work for years and provide kilograms of weed, given that you have that much of a desire to grow on a constant basis. 

I recommend getting one with at least 600w power. Keep in mind that it is the most important item for landing an impressive yield. The seedling doesn’t need a strong light right away, but by the end of week 2 the lamp must be already up and running, otherwise, some of the growth potential will be lost.

 

• Nutrients

Nutrients are vital for plant growth. Your autos require macro and micronutrients in order to fulfill key processes, such as photosynthesis and protein synthesis. For an amature grower I recommend using “all in one” nutrient kits that have all the necessary elements for the entire growing cycle. Not that auto-flowers are less hungry and more likely to get a nutrient burn, especially during the early phases. That’s why it is a great idea to use only 75% of the dose recommended by the producer.

 

WHAT LEADS TO LOW YIELDS?

Now you know what is necessary for the great results, but what are the most typical mistakes that ruin yields even when genetics is outstanding?

Poor Germination	You can assure high chances of successful germination by purchasing seeds from a reputable supplier. Seeds may also struggle when they are given too much water or nutrients early
Low Humidity	Too little humidity can cause your plants to dry out and develop crispy leaves. Plants depend on their leaves to survive, so make sure you aim for the desired relative humidity for each stage
Lighting Issues	If your plants grow too close to the light, they can become burned and bleached. Aim to keep your light at least 20cm away from the canopy during the growing cycle.
Small Pots	Rule of thumb to avoid root bounding - 11 liters
Watering Issues	Many beginners overdo watering as they think that a bit more is better than less, which is wrong. Each time before watering, make sure that the top 5cm of soil is completely dry.