Project "Auto on 12/12" – Breaking the Autoflower Rules 🌿

Autoflowers on a 12-hour light schedule—can it work? That’s the big question I’ll be tackling in this side project. Using Quick One seeds from Royal Queen Seeds, I’m stepping out of the usual autoflower playbook (18/6 or even 24/0 schedules) to see how these hardy little ruderalis hybrids fare under the same 12/12 lighting schedule as my photoperiod plants. Why? Well, it’s an experiment born of curiosity. Ruderalis genetics evolved to thrive in environments with short days and intense sunlight, so why not see how they respond in this setup? The photoperiod plants in the tent are already flipping to flower, so the lights are running either way, and there’s room to spare. What can I expect? In theory, autoflowers should still follow their internal clock and flower regardless of the light cycle. The big unknown is how well they’ll develop with less daily light exposure. Will they thrive, struggle, or adapt in surprising ways? That’s exactly what I’m hoping to find out! Stay tuned for updates as I track their growth, compare their performance to the photoperiod plants, and see what lessons this experiment brings. This could get interesting! 🌱 11-12-2024: Two out of the three seeds have successfully sprouted! The little seedlings are showing good initial signs of growth, and I’ll continue monitoring their progress closely. Excited to see how the third seed develops in the coming days. 13/12: Unfortunately, only 2 out of the 3 seeds have sprouted. I understand that the germination conditions are challenging, but I still find it a bit disappointing coming from RQS. On the bright side, the 2 that did make it are looking absolutely fantastic right now... I hope they keep progressing like this! 15/12: Sometimes, growing is all about working with what you’ve got. Out of the seeds I started with, only two made it—but hey, they were free, so no complaints! Here's how they looked last night: small but healthy, and they don’t seem to mind the nutrient water or the higher temperatures so far. It’s always exciting to watch seedlings at this stage. They’re full of potential, and who knows? These two might surprise me and turn into some real monsters! For now, I’m keeping a close eye on them, giving them the care they need, and enjoying the journey. Thanks for reading, and I’ll keep you updated on their progress! 🌟 Happy growing,