Need advice on a slow blooming Norther Light Auto

[FromFarmToCouch]

Hi fellow auto farmers! Need some advice for my Northern Light auto (ILGM). She is 49 days old today and not showing enough progress on the buds. Each day she grows bushy and spends most of her energy on expanding leaves. Its almost like she is vegetating even though I am seeing pistils near cola sites. I have done mild defoliation on her a couple times in last two weeks but I am worried that if she is a true auto, it may be a bit late for another round of defoliation. I am a new grower but from what I can tell, she looks healthy.

I've been reading on forums that NL autos are notoriously late bloomers. I wanted to check with y'all if you had any luck waiting it out. Or should I just flip it to 12/12 and treat it like photoperiod. Appreciate your help!! Grow details and images below -

Strain: Northern Lights Auto (ILGM)

Age: 49 days as of 01/27/23 (sprouted on 12/09/22)

Tent: 2'x2'x4

Light: AC Infinity Iongrid 130W

Nutes: Advanced nutrients PH perfect (micro, grow and bloom), Bloom city Cal/Mag, StumpTea

Schedule: 18/6

Pot: 5 gallon fabric

Substrate: FoxFarm Coco Loco

 

[Auto Tay]

Looks like she’s starting to bloom now. Expect well over 100 days from what I read

 

[5 Star Trich]

Hi fellow auto farmers! Need some advice for my Northern Light auto (ILGM). She is 49 days old today and not showing enough progress on the buds. Each day she grows bushy and spends most of her energy on expanding leaves. Its almost like she is vegetating even though I am seeing pistils near cola sites. I have done mild defoliation on her a couple times in last two weeks but I am worried that if she is a true auto, it may be a bit late for another round of defoliation. I am a new grower but from what I can tell, she looks healthy.

I've been reading on forums that NL autos are notoriously late bloomers. I wanted to check with y'all if you had any luck waiting it out. Or should I just flip it to 12/12 and treat it like photoperiod. Appreciate your help!! Grow details and images below -

Strain: Northern Lights Auto (ILGM)

Age: 49 days as of 01/27/23 (sprouted on 12/09/22)

Tent: 2'x2'x4

Light: AC Infinity Iongrid 130W

Nutes: Advanced nutrients PH perfect (micro, grow and bloom), Bloom city Cal/Mag, StumpTea

Schedule: 18/6

Pot: 5 gallon fabric

Substrate: FoxFarm Coco Loco

View attachment 1560012View attachment 1560013View attachment 1560014View attachment 1560015View attachment 1560016View attachment 1560017

Looks healthy to me. 5 gallon pots veg a little longer than smaller pots. Do you know your current ppdf or DLI?

 

[FromFarmToCouch]

Looks like she’s starting to bloom now. Expect well over 100 days from what I read

Jeez Louis! Oh well, I grow for hobby. I don't mind giving her the time if that's what she needs.

 

[FromFarmToCouch]

Looks healthy to me. 5 gallon pots veg a little longer than smaller pots. Do you know your current ppdf or DLI?

When I started seeing preflowering a couple weeks back, I brought the lights closer and clocked around 680 PPFD and around 40 DLI (based on 18/6). Now I realize that may have caused some light stress. I didn't see any signs of it though. Regardless, earlier this week, I pushed the light up a bit to make her stretch upward. Currently at 550 PPFD and 32 DLI. Open to recommendation on what the levels should be.

 

[5 Star Trich]

This is my NL at day at day 58, in a 3 gallon pot.

 

[FromFarmToCouch]

This is my NL at day at day 58, in a 3 gallon pot. View attachment 1560020

Looks great! Ugh! I'd love to see similar white hairs on my plant soon!

 

[5 Star Trich]

When I started seeing preflowering a couple weeks back, I brought the lights closer and clocked around 680 PPFD and around 40 DLI (based on 18/6). Now I realize that may have caused some light stress. I didn't see any signs of it though. Regardless, earlier this week, I pushed the light up a bit to make her stretch upward. Currently at 550 PPFD and 32 DLI. Open to recommendation on what the levels should be.

I keep my ppdf at 550 on a 20/4 schedule. That gives me a 40 DLI which I think is in the optimal.

 

[5 Star Trich]

Good luck with your grow!

 

[Lil Dab]

Looking good should be little puff balls in no time and to AFN