First time grower, I didn’t do nearly enough research about auto vs feminized vs photoperiod before getting some seeds. I thought knowing that I wanted an indica/sativa hybrid was enough. The fella handed me a pack of Rainbow Pound Cake seeds and I went with it. After revisiting with him this morning to even find out that they are photoperiod seeds it opened up several more questions. Let me preface the questions with this being an entirely indoor grow in potting soil. I’ve read 18-24 hours of light is the recommendation during the veg state, does an 18 hour cycle seem sufficient? Will these plants indicate when they’re ready to go into a flowering cycle or is that something I push them into by changing the light cycle? I have questions about a simple economical veg state nutrient too but that’s probably best left for another discussion. Thank you ahead of time for reading and offering any advice you can. I realize these types of plants probably weren’t the best choice for a first timer but here we are! lol
An 18/6 light cycle works really well. Depending on the space you have will determine how long you can veg them.
Switch lights to 12/12 when you want to force flowering.
I flipped my light at 6 weeks because of my space. Now they are even taller and getting to close to my light.
I dont know anything about autos.
The space is a walk in closet in my basement, roughly 3 1/2 ft wide by 7 ft deep and a 8 ft high ceiling. The lighting is an Hlg 320w xl is on it’s way to me and will be installed as soon as it arrives.
Photoperiods are the best type of plant to start with for beginners. They allow you time to correct mistakes where autoflowers, you’re at their mercy.
The most pressing matter is what is your grow environment? What lights are you using…what are your temps and humidity in the grow space….what grow medium (soil, soilesss) are you going with….what nutrients are you using?
edit: I see you’re using a 320xl, great light
With the 320xl you’re going to want to cut your grow space down to 2ft x 4ft
Also…
“autoflower will enter its flowering stage regardless of its condition. That means, even when severely stressed, an autoflowering strain would automatically enter its flowering phase.” … Per ilgm
Photoperiod… There’s two… Regular which has the 50% chance of being male or female… Whereas feminized Photoperiod will give you female plants.
Planting by seed… Feminized auto or feminized Photoperiod will give you different phenotypes… Or variety in the final plant. They could turn out just as hoped or more like mom or dad.
Regular Photoperiod… You must sex type your plants for female or male… Males are pulled asap unless you desire seeds using that specimen as half your experiment. Females… Just like feminized will just flower…
Depending on the breeder and stresses… You can develop hermaphrodites… Which is your female plant could develop male pollen sacks on one or more areas of the plant… Some get rid of hermes… Others pinch off the male parts to avoid pollenating… But it may continue to hermie.
I hope that helps out.
I use a 320xl In a 32x60 x80 The light does 2 plants to there finest. Now I use the 320 to veg in a 4x4 then turn the scorpion rspec on. Photos are easier to grow.
HLG320XL is growing this Durban Poison and Grandaddy Purp. Im 3 weeks from 12/12 flip
HLG600R is growing these two Grandaddy Purps
HLG350 FR is growing this Durban Poison and ZSkittlez
You came to the right place my freind 
And you got lucky with them photo periods over autos to start out with for reasons others have said.
So a quick explanation of “auto vs feminized vs photo periods”
Alot of times we see photo period seeds called feminized seeds.
Idk why sites do this its so confusing to new folks 
But auto flowers and photo periods both can be 1 of 2 types.
- Regular seeds = can be male or female
- Feminized seeds = will 99.9% of the time be female
Most always auto flowers will be feminized but sometimes you can get Regular auto flower seeds.
Most banks will sale Regular and feminized photo periods but only sale feminized auto flowers.
Hope some of that’s helpful…
Keep us posted as you progress, and reach out if ya have any questions
Where do I find recommendations on the height from plants to light?
There is a lot of information in the grow guides. You can search and find info quickly. Im sure someone who knows will be along soon.
Good start using photo. Much more forgiving for a new grower.
The new HLG 320 came in today, hung it roughly 18" above the plants until I can find a more specific recommendation.
@JerBear download the photone app. This can be a general guide for dli and ppfd. Here is a chart to show you where you want your ppfd at each stage. If you have an apple phone you will beed a paper diffuser.
Refesher how many weeks are you ? 320 is a nice 2 plant light.
Okay as stated, this is my 1st time growing and I made some huge errors at the beginning. I started with the 4 in the front and thought I was going to lose a couple so I planted the 2 in the back(roughly a week and half apart). The 2 younger seedlings are quickly catching up but it’s safe to say that my mistakes definitely caused some sever stunting however this past week they kicked into recovery nicely, sprouting that 3rd set of leaves. They also have become much thirstier. Unfortunately now I’m going to have too many plants for my space and light but I think I can find some adoptive parents around me.
I apologize for @'ing you once more butI’m having trouble seeing the screwdriver slot in the potentiometer hole on the driver to adjust the wattage. Just to confirm, it’s a small philips head slot and should be straight down, correct?
@JerBear which driver is on top. What brand
Yes sir its a small Phillips head its in there…lol