Autoflower Seeds

Autoflower plants have become increasingly popular among cannabis growers due to their unique characteristics and fast growth. However, as with any plant, watering is a crucial factor in their success. Knowing how often to water your autoflower plants can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re new to growing. In this article, we will explore the best watering practices for indoor autoflower growing and provide you with some tips to help you achieve the best possible results. From avoiding overwatering to understanding when to water seedlings, you’ll learn everything you need to know to ensure your autoflowers receive the right amount of water for healthy growth and a bountiful harvest. So, let’s get started and discover the secrets to watering your autoflower plants!

Table of Contents:

1. How to Water Autoflower Plants
2. Understanding Flushing: What Is It and Why Is It Important?
3. Top Five Tips for Watering Your Cannabis Plants

How to Water Autoflower Plants

Autoflowering cannabis plants have different water requirements during different growth stages. As your autoflowers grow, they will need more frequent watering and larger quantities of water.

Growth Stage	Watering Requirements
Germination and Seedling Stages	Give each plant 3-7 ounces of water every 4-7 days
Vegetative stage	Give each plant 10-20 ounces of water every 2-4 days
Flowering stage	Give each plant 24-50 ounces of water every 2-3 days

*However, it is important to note that the amount of water needed can vary based on several factors such as temperature, humidity, pot size, and soil type. As a general rule, water your autoflowers enough so that it comes out of the pot’s drainage holes.

To determine when to water your autoflower plants, you can use several indicators such as checking if the leaves are drooping or wilted, checking the weight of the pot, sticking your finger 1-2 inches into the soil to check for dryness, or using a soil moisture meter.

If you are growing autoflowers outdoors in Canada, you will need to consider weather conditions such as rain, sun, and temperature. In hot, sunny locations, such as Southern Ontario and British Columbia, your plants will require more water. In more moderate climates, such as Northern Ontario and Alberta, they may require less water.

Proper watering techniques are critical to ensure the health and yield of your autoflower plants. By following these guidelines and paying attention to your plant’s individual needs, you can ensure your autoflowers receive the right amount of water at the right time.

Understanding Flushing: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

Flushing is the process of giving your autoflower plants only plain water without any nutrients for a period of time before harvest. The goal is to remove excess nutrients and minerals from the soil to improve the taste and aroma of your autoflower buds.

Flushing is particularly important for autoflowers as they have a shorter growing cycle compared to other cannabis strains. This means that autoflowers can be more susceptible to nutrient burn, which can negatively affect the taste and quality of your final product. Flushing helps to remove any leftover nutrients in the soil and allows your autoflowers to use up any remaining nutrients, resulting in a smoother and cleaner final product.

To flush your autoflower plants, you’ll need to give them two to three times the amount of water than you would normally give during watering, and let the water run through the soil and out of the drainage holes. This process helps to remove any excess nutrients from the soil. For autoflowers in Canada, flushing is usually done two weeks before harvest.

It’s important to note that while flushing is important, it’s also possible to overdo it. Flushing your plants for too long or too aggressively can lead to a decrease in yield and potency. Therefore, it’s essential to strike a balance between flushing enough to remove excess nutrients, but not so much that you negatively affect the overall quality and yield of your autoflower plants.

Top 5 Tips for Watering Autoflowers

Be Careful When Watering Seedlings
When your autoflower seedlings first sprout, they are extremely fragile and susceptible to damage from high water pressure. To avoid damaging them, it’s best to use a spray bottle to mist the soil around them.

Don’t Overwater Autoflowers
Overwatering is a common mistake made by many first-time growers. It can be hard to tell if you’re overwatering an autoflower since you can’t see the roots. However, it’s unlikely to overwater your plants in one watering. Overwatering usually happens when you water the plant too often without allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. This can lead to root rot and fungal infections. If you notice yellow leaves, this may be a sign of overwatering. To correct this, allow the plant to soak up all the water and don’t water again until the soil is dry.

Feed Your Plants the Correct Amount of Nutrients
Autoflowers need nutrients to flourish, but they require less nutrients than photoperiod varieties due to their smaller size and hardy genetics. Use nutrients every time you water, but try using half (or less) of the recommended amount for photoperiod strains. It’s best to start small and add more nutrients if necessary. If your plants receive too many nutrients, they won’t be able to use the excess, which can lead to nutrient burn and damage to the leaves.

Let the Soil Dry out Between Watering
Contrary to what many people believe, cannabis plants thrive when the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings. Cannabis can survive periods of drought, so underwatering is less of a concern than overwatering. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings also helps prevent root rot and fungal infections.

Use the Right pH
Autoflower cannabis plants prefer water with a pH of 6.5-7.0. Tap water can sometimes fall outside of this range, but you can easily check the pH with test strips or a pH meter, which you can order online for less than $20. Maintaining the correct pH level in your water ensures that your plants can absorb the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong.