Autoflowers vs. Photoperiods: Feeding, Training, and Yield at Home

Whether you're a home grow hero with a closet grow op or an outdoor enthusiast battling backyard squirrels, one question eventually rolls around:

Should I grow autoflowers or photoperiods?

And more importantly—do I feed them the same? Can I train them the same? What’s the yield difference?

Let’s break it all down like a bag of homegrown trim.

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The Basics: What’s the Difference?

Autoflowers:

• Flower based on age, not light schedule

• Typically go from seed to harvest in 8–12 weeks

• Smaller in size, stealthy and fast

• Great for beginners or multiple grows per season

• Less forgiving when it comes to stress

Photoperiods:

• Flower based on light cycle (usually flipped from 18/6 to 12/12)

• Take longer, often 3–5 months start to finish

• Usually bigger, bushier plants

• Respond well to advanced training techniques

• More control = more customization

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Feeding Time: Do They Eat the Same?

Not exactly.

Autoflowers:

• Think of them like a light snacker at a buffet.

• Start low—¼ to ½ strength nutrients is often plenty.

• Too much too fast = burnt tips and stunted growth.

• Their short veg period means they don’t need tons of nitrogen.

Pro tip: Autoflowers grow fast. If you're feeding on a weekly schedule, be ready to switch to bloom nutrients earlier than with photoperiods—often by week 3–4.

Photoperiods:

• More like a bodybuilder—bigger appetite, especially during veg.

• Thrive on a strong nutrient regimen, especially if you’re training hard.

• You have time to correct mistakes and ramp up slowly.

Pro tip: Photoperiods love a good feed chart. With their longer lifecycle, they’ll make use of full-strength nutrient lines and still come back for seconds.

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Training Techniques: Can You Top It?

Autoflowers:

• Low-stress training (LST) is your best friend: bending stems gently to increase light penetration.

• Topping? It’s a gamble. You can do it, but timing is everything. Wait too long, and you’ll stunt the plant just when it wants to flower.

Best for autos:

• LST

• Strategic defoliation

• Gentle guidance—no boot camp drills

Photoperiods:

• Open season for training.

• Topping, fimming, scrogging, mainlining—you name it.

• Because you control the light cycle, you can extend the veg phase until your plant is strong enough to handle training and recover.

Best for photoperiods:

• Full training arsenal

• Multiple topping cycles

• Complex canopy management

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Yield: Who Packs More Bud?

Let’s talk nugs.

Autoflowers:

• Average yield: 1–5 ounces per plant (sometimes more indoors with advanced care)

• Faster, but smaller.

• Perfect for personal use and multiple harvests per year.

Photoperiods:

• Average yield: 4–12+ ounces per plant

• Bigger root systems, bigger frames, more time = more weed

• Especially rewarding when you grow outdoors or in a tent with space to spare

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The Homegrower’s Angle: Which Is Best for You?

Bonus Tip: Try a Side-by-Side Grow

Still undecided? Grab a 3x3 grow tent, split it down the middle, and run an auto and photo side-by-side.

• Track the feeding

• Practice both training methods

• Compare the bud structure, smell, and yield

It’s like a science experiment, but with way more trichomes and way less math.

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Autoflowers and photoperiods both bring something special to the grow table.

Autos are fast, fun, and forgiving if you treat them gently.
Photos are slow, strong, and perfect for growers who want full control.

No matter which you choose, homegrown is always the right decision.

We're just homegrow nerds helping you get the most out of your garden—one sticky bud at a time. Check out our website for more tips.