Autoflower Yield "Tell-All" at Day 50?

I like your style Organoman. We're in different camps, yet I do like to grow O'Natural too:) I have been experimenting ALOT with Auto defol (with timing a bit more precise) and including unknown/last ditch effort variables in this particular grow. This is about as far and crazy as I have seen an Auto be trained. Granted all training was related to keeping the size down, there was little/no reduction in size with this much abuse. Wtf!? There is definitely something to defoliation as I cannot escape no less than 10oz per Auto plant, and 12oz on my Zkittlez Auto run finished a month ago in a similar sized tin can. This crazy bat is more vivacious than my last auto grow by a long shot. If she ain't permanently stunted, and just in slow-mode as Ezzjaybruh mentions, it's a 1 pound plant in an open grow environment - easy. Like some others, I am 100% in the camp that hydro lets you get away with MUCH more than some other growing styles. Little effort by the plant to process nutrients, and a perfect environment goes a VERY, VERY, VERY long way - and keeps hydro on the pedestal IMO. A similar defoliation plan with a soil grow would have crippled the plant, if not killed her? Nothing I did to date, which included a FIM, two separate toppings (one main top, one side branch - two separate weeks), Two HEAVY defoliations, One Near Death Experience, and several lighter defoliations made here flinch much at all (there was a day/two she definitely slowed in the week 6 Near Death Experience, but she was off again in 48hrs). One thing I did keep constant throughout this grow was NOT TO FUCK WITH HERE FOR THREE DAYS AFTER ANYTHING DRAMATIC - even lighter defols! It will be interesting to sum up the defoliations/grow/yield in the end. IP Cam took a picture every 5 minutes since the she popped, so whatever the outcome is there will be no burden of proof! Many "no-'no's" for Autoflowers in a single grow. What will it say?

Just remember - Maximum amount of healthy green leaves = Maximum amount of energy production = Maximum amount of growth. It is that simple! Heavy defoliation just reduces your plant capacity to make energy, therefore limiting growth (especially with autos). "Swazzing" must be the most cannabis unfriendly torture to inflict! This will be the reason for the buds not fattening up. However, some strains start flowering, then stop and think about things for a while, then really get into it right at the end. Hopefully this is what is happening with your plants, but after reading "swazzing", I am deeply horrified....... deeply. But I am an "anti-defoliation Nazi" though! Cheers, Organoman.

@Hydronaut by doing all of that stressful stuff you are just slowing down the autoflowering process If you want it to start really blooming cut out the defoliation and just let it do it's thing If you are worried about light getting to all bud sites then consider using LST training techniques Hope this makes sense Mate 💪

If the stretching part is over she should start to bulk up now. The plant is looking amazing and everything you done to it seems to have been in good standing. I would agree with @ezzjaybruh that you should leave it be with any HST/LST/Grooming techniques. Just go with the flow and keep on cursing. Keep an eye on the feed as she may get a bit hungry now that its building up time. Of every grow I've seen in your Diaries, they are impressive. That cabinet is next level and works like a charm. I want one. Cheers,

Ok, AsNoriu I hear you, hehe! Blame DG, we need more text characters for these questions! I've grown 4 Hydro Autos to date. All grew relatively the same way as far as size and production, but no early week 6 near-Schwazz like this one. I am worried that bud production/development is not the same at this stage as my other auto grows. This is probably no surprise giving these facts. I do not have enough Auto grows to assume much of anything, and are curious if this thing just looks behind or possibly permanently stunned in transition from the haircut?

I'll go have one more spliff, maybe I'll get what you ask ;)))