I can only tell you it’s easier for you to do clones because they grow the same size. If it’s auto you’re basically going in a life cycle grow. You have to have strong genes and plants react differently, unless it’s cloned. I ran 30 autos last winter. Use fabric pots and amended coco with perlite, the larger the container the more perlite I want. If your heat/humidity isn’t dialed in forget about it. If your PH is wrong it’s because you’re not flushing or over feeding. Always monitor PPM, for clone, for seed, soil, or of anything so you know what you’re growing.