New Grower What to keep a eye on?

[420Shaman]

This is going to be my first auto flower grow. I have decided I will start with diesel ryder. I have grown photo period cannabis for many years. Here is my question. Other than the obvious(auto flowering, faster metabolism, short life cycle). What do I need to keep a eye on to ensure they stay healthy? Does anyone here have experience with diesel ryder?

 

[namvet25]

I havn't grown DR but in general the most important thing to watch is your nutes and PH.Autos are more sensitive to nutes so you have to give them lighter doses and work your way up as they grow.There are other things also so if you have any questions just ask.wishing you the best on your knew venture.:gthumb:

 

[Muddy]

A majority of the issues we see are pH related. Keep your pH in check and you should be fine. Autos don't require as much nutrients as photos, so go easy. It's likely you won't need to go over half strength. Keep them on veg nutes till vertical growth stops, usually around week 5-6. Diesel Ryder is a great strain, stable and a good producer. Just be prepared for the smell. It is the stinkiest plant, photo or auto, that I've ever grown.

 

[wg]

DR is a very hardy strain, should offer very little problems. Use a well known soil(less)-mix, don't over do it.. even if you have years of photo experience, it won't translate immediately to success with autoflowers. Don't buy a ton of nutrients, keep it simple if this is your first grow.. Don't concern yourself with yield just overall plant health and invest heavily into a pH meter to monitor your water pH.

 

[420Shaman]

Whats a good PH to keep them around? I have read they are pretty stinky. They must have a pretty fast metabolism if half strength is as high as you need to go.

 

[The Squid]

For soil, shoot for 6.5. If you're using something like Promix or Sunshine mix that is considered semi soilless and does better a bit lower about 6.3. :thumbs:

 

[420Shaman]

Sweet! I am going to use ocean forest. It should hit close to the ph sweet spot.

 

[Muddy]

Straight OF can be too hot for some seedlings. Best to start them in something like Happy Frog or do a mix of HF and OF. Also, we've seen some wide pH variation with OF right out of the bag. Some have been as low as 4.5, so best if you check it before planting.

 

[The Squid]

I agree with Muddy, definitely don't suggest starting in the OF and you may end up needing some dolomite lime to add to the to regulate the Ph to a proper range. Otherwise Fox Farms makes some good soils.