Hole Size for Autos?

[DuskrayTroubador]

Hey all,

I know generally the bigger the better. For my photo period girls I dig holes 3' in diameter that are 18" deep.

For my autos I'd like to dig smaller holes, being that I'm only aiming for 3 oz per plant with those (but hopefully more!).

Also, the autos I'm running are KC48 and KC51 by KC Brains and Killer Kush & Big Devil #2 from Sweet Seeds. Anybody have experience with those?

 

[MountainBudz]

I'd probably go about the same. The more the better anyway. Maybe cut it down to 2ft and 14 inches deep. I'd just make sure the soil was well aerated and loose and add some moisture retaining things about midway down in the holes. I'm going to try a few autos myself this year outdoors and those kc autos you mentioned on are on my list as well... looks like your getting a late start as well?

Personally I'll probably veg mine out for the first couple weeks indoor and transplant them at minimal stress once introduced to the great outdoors for optimal growth at 18/6 to 24/0 lighting.

Good luck my friend!

 

[MountainBudz]

I will also note that if you want maximum yield and quality from your autos then you will need to tend to them much more often than your photos... make sure keep surrounding vegetation trimmed back to allow for maximum sunlight penetration (especially after heavy rains which cause the coverage to thicken surrounding them starving them from light) keep em watered, hydrated well and protected as much as possible.

 

[MountainBudz]

I think your biggest problem will be achieving "3 ounces per plant" more than anything with the strains you listed.

The KC 51 claims between 35 to 55 grams per plant while the KC 48 doesn't mention yield, there is more info on that on the KC brains Web page.

You should go with KC45... check out these autos, they are suppose to be monsters, very freakish to be autos plus they even do great in shady areas... I'm going with the KC 45 and will try a couple of the 48 and 51 as well...

KC-45

KC Brains

Sativa 50 / Ruderalis 50
Origins: Russian Ruderalis x Brazilian Sativa
Flowering: 56-70 days
Harvest: mid September

The KC-45 is an unusual variety among the many selections on the market due to her partial ruderalis heritage. Ruderalis is a distinct Russian subspecies of cannabis whose most notable characteristic is autoflowering. Unlike*indica*andsativa strains, ruderalis is not triggered into flowering based on the number of hours of darkness. Ruderalis begins flowering automatically after growing to a certain age, even outdoors in her native Russia. KC’s ruderalis-sativa hybrid, KC-45, bounces back from stress conditions and can perform in cloudy weather due to its ruderalis mother’s minimal need for externally triggered flowering. Meanwhile, its sativa father ensures a strong, euphoric high.

While KC-45 can be grown under lights, it is more appropriate for outdoor gardens. This multi-branched plant grows best in soil, especially with an organic fertilizing program. Once it roots, KC-45 will grow to a nearly 7-foot-tall Christmas tree, whose impressively long branches remain bare of leaves near the stem, but support meter-long colas. In outdoor environments, this plant will ripen by September 15; indoors, it takes 8-10 weeks to finish flowering.

Indoor plants are very high yielders, and outdoor yields can weigh in at over 3 pounds per plant. The buds that form are long and cylindrical. The colas are compact but not tight, because the individual flowers that make up the cola are slender rather than plump.

The smell from this plant is localized, but will burst with a strong lemon odor when touched. When smoked, the KC-45 high comes on rapid and strong. It retains the uplifting stone of its Brazilian sativa parentage, but modified a bit by the ruderalis, making this smoke less hyper than a pure sativa. The result is an energetic yet calm and settling high, well suited to gardening, hiking or leisurely sports. Medicinally, this variety has provided relief to some migraine sufferers and also is good for any condition which causes lethargy, as it can improve energy levels.

 

[neongreen]

Anything more than 1 ft wide will be overkill for autos IMO. I had photos in 1-1.5 ft wide holes (2 ft deep) that finished @ 8-9 ft tall - most autos won't come anywhere near close to that.

I would however make the holes at least 14-16 inches deep... it seems to be the consensus now that depth counts for more than width with autos. My autos are in tall/narrow pots this season, where as it was shallow/wide last season, and I know they could have done better.

 

[plantingplants]

Neon, what strain were those 8 ft tall autos and what did they yield?

 

[RonSmooth]

Only aiming for 3oz per auto?

Have you ever gotten that much off an auto before?

I'd be happy with 3oz per plant. Thats regular (feminized) seed under a 600w HPS.

How much do you get from your regular plants? How large are they when they begin flowering?

 

[neongreen]

Neon, what strain were those 8 ft tall autos and what did they yield?

Not autos, but photos. Specifically Maroc Inspiration (an old BlueHemp landrace).

A few pics from the end of September:

I didn't get to weigh the harvest, but I'd estimate 5-7 zips per plant, though it was heavily seeded with immature seeds.

 

[tech1234]

DT, have you put any thought into doing a "bed" for about 30 rather than single holes?

 

[DuskrayTroubador]

DT, have you put any thought into doing a "bed" for about 30 rather than single holes?

That's a great idea, but it scares me just a tad due to flying pigs. I think 3 beds of 10 will be good, but at this rate one bed of 30 might be my best option. I'm a little bit late to the party due to not knowing where I was going to be for a while.

How far apart would you space them?


As far as yield goes, the Big Devil are supposed to yield 50-300G a piece. Thus far, their yield accounts have been relatively fair.

KC Brains said Spontanica plants can average up to 900g per plant and last year my biggest Spontanica came in at just a hair under 2lbs.