Introduction to Autoflower Feeding
Autoflowers transition quickly from seedling to flower, demanding precise nutrients for top yields. This schedule covers base feeds, boosters and flush timing across soil, coco and hydro systems. Home growers achieve 100-200 g per plant with consistent EC and pH management.
Core Parameters: pH and EC by Medium
Soil: pH 6.0-7.0, EC 0.8-1.6 mS/cm. Coco: pH 5.8-6.2, EC 1.0-1.8 mS/cm. Hydro: pH 5.5-6.0, EC 1.2-2.0 mS/cm. Always measure runoff and adjust gradually.
Organic vs Synthetic Options
Organic growers use compost teas, worm castings and seaweed for slow-release nitrogen. Synthetic programs rely on two-part NPK formulas for exact control. Both deliver strong results when EC stays in range.
Week-by-Week Nutrient Schedule
Weeks 1-2: Seedling Stage
Start with plain pH-adjusted water. Add light root booster at EC 0.4-0.6. No base nutrients yet. Organic: dilute compost tea. Synthetic: 1/4 strength veg formula.
Weeks 3-4: Vegetative Growth
Introduce base veg nutrients: NPK 3-1-2 at EC 1.0-1.4. Add silica and humic acid. Organic: fish emulsion plus mycorrhizae. Maintain pH and watch for dark green leaves.
Weeks 5-7: Flowering Transition
Switch to bloom formula NPK 1-3-2. Boost PK at EC 1.4-1.8. Organic: bat guano and bone meal teas. Reduce nitrogen sharply after week 6.
Weeks 8-10: Late Flower & Ripening
Lower EC to 1.2-1.5. Add final PK booster and terpene enhancers. Organic: molasses for microbes. Monitor trichomes daily.
Weeks 11-12: Flush
Flush with plain pH water for 7-14 days. Soil needs longest flush; hydro shortest. This removes salts and improves taste.
Troubleshooting Common Deficiencies
- Nitrogen shortage: yellow lower leaves – raise veg EC slightly.
- Phosphorus lockout: dark spots – check pH first.
- Magnesium deficiency: interveinal yellowing – add calmag at 0.3 EC.
Yield Optimization Tips
Keep lights 60-80 cm above canopy and temperatures 22-26 °C. Top or LST early for even bud sites. Use quality autoflower seeds from reputable breeders and maintain steady EC to avoid stress. For further reading on soil health visit usda.gov and the EPA pesticide guidelines at epa.gov.
Track every feed in a journal. Adjust based on plant response rather than rigid charts. Consistent practice with this autoflower nutrient schedule produces dense, resinous harvests every cycle.