Auto-flowers are among the easiest cannabis varieties to plant. However, problems can arise anywhere, especially in such a specific business as growing. So it’s important to understand what difficulties you might encounter on the way to harvest. This information will be useful for both beginners and experienced growers who have some gaps in their knowledge about auto-flowers. Let’s take a closer look at the mistakes to avoid when growing this type of cannabis.

Insufficient attention paid to seed selection

This is, unfortunately, a common mistake that starts most problems. Particular attention should be paid to the selection of auto-flowering cannabis seeds because the entire outcome of growing depends on their quality. That is why preference should be given to reputable stores that have been on the market for many years. For example, Fast Buds has 12 years of experience. On Fastbuds autoflower, visitors can find a lot of different offers, which also indicates the credibility of this cannabis seed bank.

Improper watering

This is a common mistake that causes quite a lot of damage to the plants. Excessive moisture can damage the roots and lead to a significant nutrient deficiency. To avoid such problems, it is necessary to establish a proper watering schedule and scrupulously follow it. Knowledge of the main signs of excessive watering will also be useful:

• The soil near the plant remains moist for a long time;
• The leaves are fresh and green but sagging.

Plants often suffer from insufficient watering. In such cases, the leaves become dry and easily injured. This happens if the cannabis bushes do not receive moisture for at least three days. When the plant has already suffered from insufficient watering, it is important to remember that water should be poured under the root, not on the leaves, as a strong stream can injure them.

Incorrect pH level

Often, growers don’t pay attention to this at all, and in vain. The conditions for the plant’s absorption of nutrients depend on the correct pH level. If it is insufficient, the cannabis bushes will not receive the necessary fertilizers, and the grower will not even know about it. The optimal pH of water for irrigation should be 6.0-8.0.

Mistakes in lighting

The main advantage of auto-flowering plants is that they bloom regardless of light cycles, but you still need to pay attention to lighting, because not only the growth of the bushes but also their development depends on it. Therefore, it is important to manage the light cycle properly.

Wrong choice of soil

For best results, the soil for auto-flowers should be well aerated. A mixture of 20 percent perlite and 80 percent coconut is a good choice for the base. However, this option is only optimal if the grower has enough time to care for the plant. If not, it is better to choose nutrient-rich organic soil. This way, you will need to feed the cannabis bushes less.

It is also important to pay enough attention to the containers. They should have optimal aeration. The most common mistake in this aspect is choosing plastic pots. It is better to select fabric containers. They are best suited to maximize plant growth and yield.

Transplanting and feeding cannabis bushes

Growers often make the mistake of choosing small containers. And then, they have to transplant the plants. This can be stressful for auto-flowers. To avoid the need for transplanting, the bushes should be planted in a pot of the right size right away.

Another important thing is to properly saturate the plant with nutrients. Balance is essential in this aspect. Due to its compact size, auto-flowering hemp does not require as much fertilizer as other types of cannabis. However, they have the same set of nutrients. These are potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. A common mistake is to use them inappropriately for the development of the plant.

Each type of fertilizer is most useful at a specific time. For example, in the early stages of auto-flowering hemp growth, it needs to be fed with a lot of nitrogen. Before flowering, phosphorus should be increased, and during flowering, potassium content must be raised. Organic fertilizers will also be useful for such plants.

Wrong choice of time for harvesting

Auto-flowering hemp grows quickly. So, it’s critical to choose the right time to harvest. This should not be too late or too early. Otherwise, due to the loss of terpenes and cannabinoids, the product may become less effective, and the harvest quality will decrease. To choose the optimal time, you need to check the trichomes of the plants. If up to 70% of them are already amber in color, it is time to harvest.

Auto-flowering hemp blooms within 3-4 weeks after sowing. Because of this, their life cycle is much shorter than that of other types of cannabis, which leads to a much greater susceptibility to stress. Therefore, various factors should be taken into account to ensure that the harvest meets the grower’s expectations.