Lighting or all bad phenos? - Sour 60

[mostnonymouse]

Popped 6 sour 60 beans (a friend let the other 6 dry out during germination so these are my last) and I had no HID lamp so I had them each under a single hanging CFL (mostly 23 watters) with 3 more for side lighting for about the first 5 weeks. At that point I was able to put them under a 150 watt hps, and then a 400 watt a week later. The plants are all budding nicely but not one of them broke 12" or grew in height at all after the switch, while I understand that this plant has developed a reputation for a being a heavy yielder (in terms of autos). From my very limited knowledge and absolute lack of experience I have decided that this is either due to insufficient levels of light during the entire veg period, or that I was unlucky in that I happen to have grown 6 of the "mini" phenotypes of this strain. Could someone with experience growing autos help me rule one of these theories out? I'm attempting to hermie one of them for seeds and would like to know if their stubby height is more likely a result of environment or genetics.

 

[lowrydergrower]

depends would have to know more about your grow what size container medium etc

 

[Sandnut]

seems like they got stunted somehow

pot size?
did you start in a very small container before you stransplanted into a bigger?
everything else under control?

if its none of the above it has to be the bad lighting during veg, its unlikely you got 6 of the same pheno if you ask me

post a pic if you'd like, its easier to see whats wrong

 

[!!!]

You switched to HPS 5 weeks into flowering or veg? How long did you veg under the HID?

Did you notice ANY changes under HID? When I went from 400w to 600w I noticed very fast foliage growth. I was seeing new leaves and shoots emerging daily. It could probably have been because my 600w bulb was new and the 400w bulb was overused.

Maybe it's a good yielder only relative to other AF strains?

 

[cyber echo]

5 week on 23watter cfls pretty much defined their size, they were long into flowering before you decided to give them some real lights.
I'm not saying they can't do good on cfl, but they need atleast 100+W each.

Autos benefit from growing as large as possible before they go into full bloom (ie. week4/5)
Pot size also plays a role, are you giving atleast 1.5-2 Gal ?

 

[mostnonymouse]

5 week on 23watter cfls pretty much defined their size, they were long into flowering before you decided to give them some real lights.
I'm not saying they can't do good on cfl, but they need atleast 100+W each.

Autos benefit from growing as large as possible before they go into full bloom (ie. week4/5)
Pot size also plays a role, are you giving atleast 1.5-2 Gal ?

This is pretty much what I think too, I was just scared of ending up with hundreds of seeds that never break a foot off the ground. Did noticed differences when going under HIDs, namely a change of hue, and faster bud development, but i'm certain they won't be getting any bigger between now and the chop. Anyway I can't wait to start some of these under the real light now.

 

[Rudy R Alis]

Autos benefit from growing as large as possible before they go into full bloom (ie. week4/5)
Pot size also plays a role, are you giving atleast 1.5-2 Gal ?

Great advice cyber echo, even an extra gallon of soil makes a big difference. An autoflower will definitely grow bigger in 3 gallon pots than they would in 2 gallon pots.

 

[mostnonymouse]

2 gallon smartpots. I'll definitely have them under better light next run.