10 Top Tips for Growing Autos Outdoors This Summer

10 Top Tips for Growing Autos Outdoors This Summer

Photoperiod cannabis plants will take as long as 6 months before they are ready to harvest. If you prefer a much shorter turnaround time, consider plating autos outside. Auto-flowering cannabis plants begin to flower after 30 days, so you will be able to harvest them much sooner.

Suppose you are the type of grower who enjoys growing both photoperiods and autos simultaneously. In that case, this article covers 9 of my tips to think about to get the most out of your auto-flowering cannabis plants in 2025.

Try Different Strains

The first tip I have is to grow as many different auto-flowering cannabis strains as you can get your hands on. The quality of auto-flowering genetics is awe-inspiring. By planting multiple varieties from other breeders and seed banks outside, you will not only get to see which strains work best for your climate, but also gain insight into the unique characteristics of each strain. Still, you will also be able to enjoy a wide range of different flavours and effects come harvest time.

Use Big Pots

From my experience, when it comes to growing autoflowers indoors or outdoors, do not waste your time starting autos off in small pots. The best thing to do is actually get your seeds started in big pots. My tip here is to use 8-gallon pots and plant between 6 and 9 autos in a designated area. Using pots as large as this will ensure you achieve a top-quality yield in terms of dry flower and end up with plants that are approximately 100-120 cm in height.

Plastic Greenhouses

If you are lucky enough to live in a region where you get sun most of the day, then try growing your autos inside a plastic greenhouse. You can buy plastic-coated greenhouses online for a relatively cheap price, and they really do make a massive difference to the plant’s health. One thing I enjoy most about using a small-sized greenhouse is the fact that insects are kept out, neighbours are not able to see what you are up to, and the humidity levels remain high.

Do Not Repot

Repotting photoperiods encourages the roots to become even bigger, resulting in a new growth spurt once they are transplanted. You may be surprised to learn that repotting plants actually has an adverse effect on their growth and typically causes them to cease growth and become stunted. My tip is to always use large pots for autos and, once the seeds have germinated, let them grow without disturbing them in any way, especially during the vegetative phase.

LST Works Best

Many cannabis plant training techniques can help alter the plant’s shape and structure, ultimately producing larger yields. Unfortunately, with auto-flowering cannabis plants, super cropping and topping them can cause them to stay short once they transition to flowering.

My tip is only to apply the LST technique once your autos are on day 21. MSNL advises that the horizontal growth pattern not only facilitates the distribution of hormones and nutrients but also enhances light penetration and canopy airflow.

Find a Sunny Location

I have found that the key to growing a large, auto-flowering cannabis plant with strong side branches and big buds is to give it the best possible start. Providing your autos with as much sun as possible will allow them to develop an extensive root base. Once they transition to flowering after 4 weeks, they will have a much better chance of becoming heavy-yielding plants full of resin.

Fabric Felt Pots

Plastic pots are cheap, practical and easy to work with. Still, fabric pots allow you to take your auto-flowering cannabis plants to the next level! The reason is that felt pots allow the roots to become exposed to air. As a result, the roots are pruned and become enhanced in size. You do not need to worry about felt pots becoming hot, as they dry out quicker than plastic, allowing you to feed your autos more often.

Do Not Overfeed Early 

Auto-flowering cannabis plants are much more sensitive than photoperiods, especially during the first 4-5 weeks from germination. Providing them with large amounts of nutrients will give them the head start they need, but my advice is to feed them a mild nutrient solution until they are larger. Start off with a milder nutrient mix and gradually increase the concentration as your plants mature, as recommended by AutoSeeds.

Plant New Autos Every 30 Days

What makes autos so unique and special is that they are ready to harvest every 10-12 weeks, depending on the strain, and can be grown outdoors at any time of the year. If you plan to plant autos this summer, my tip is to germinate new auto seeds every 30 days in large pots, allowing for back-to-back harvests up to October.

Flush Your Plants 2 Weeks Before Harvest

If you want to experience the best-tasting weed with a smooth taste, then I would recommend flushing your autos 2 weeks before the harvest date. My tip here is to give them a full 14 days of plain water only. Doing so will allow them to use up any internal nutrients they have stored, and will also wash the growing medium out of any built-up salt residue left behind from liquid nutrients.

Feature image: 6 Autos in big felt pots thriving under the Summer heat in Spain. Photo credit: Stoney Tark.