Greetings friend, with a 12/12 cycle you're a bit short with your autos. Unlike photoperiod strains, autos have a fixed "biological clock." By giving them a 21/3 cycle, we're maximizing the photosynthesis rate and carbon fixation for almost the entire day. Since the plant's lifespan is short, we need it to produce the maximum amount of biomass and resin in record time; it's like putting it to work overtime to yield more! Those 3 hours of darkness aren't random: they help the plant with sugar translocation and rest from thermal and light stress, preventing its photosynthetic apparatus from becoming saturated. It's the perfect balance to get the most out of them without burning them, resulting in denser and heavier flowers.

Why would you grow automatics in a tent with 12/12 cycle? they are designed for short sommer with Long light cycle.so Putting them into a tent with only 12 hours of light will not get you anywhere. Next time try fem seeds. Autos aren't worth the time and Money you Put into them, Most of the time . You can get good results though, with proper light and care but with fem or reg seeds you will get better results.

Autoflower needs more and longer light. Give her 20/4 minimum 18/6

Autoflowers suck honestly. Not a good choice for big bud seeking. But also being on 12/12 could limit the autoflower. I've never had issues with them on 12/12 but less light could affect that. Is your light strong enough? Do you trust the genetics?

hey buddy First, reassurance (important) This is just a humble opinion based on the photo, and cannabis always has context we can’t see (genetics, stress history, environment). You didn’t “fail”, we’re just reading signals and adjusting expectations. What i am seeing in the photo: • Plant looks healthy enough (leaf color OK, no major burn) • Clear pistils, but: • Bud sites are small and not stacking • Internodes are a bit spaced • This looks more like early–mid flower, not a plant that’s finishing So the timing matters a lot here. ⸻ The big clarification we need (without pressure) There are two very different scenarios, and only one is concerning. 🔹 Scenario A — “Week 10 from seed” (AUTOFLOWER) If this is ~10 weeks from seed, then: • This is still within normal range for many autos • Some autos don’t really bulk until weeks 9–12 • Bud swelling often comes late and fast ➡️ In this case: Nothing looks alarming yet. Patience + stable conditions. ⸻ 🔹 Scenario B — “10 weeks already on 12/12” If this is 10 weeks since flower started, then: • Yes — this would be very small for that stage • Likely causes would be: • Low light intensity • Early stress (transplant, drybacks, overwatering) • Genetics with very low yield potential • Auto confused by light schedule or stress early on ➡️ In this case: Yield will probably stay modest, but the plant can still finish fine. ⸻ One gentle but important note You mentioned: Autoflower + 12/12 That’s not wrong, but it does limit potential. • Autos generally perform best at 18–20h light • 12/12 reduces total daily energy ( general speaking, i am doing a 12/12 from seed run as we speak and they are growing amazing to be true) • Less energy = less biomass = smaller buds So even a healthy auto can stay small under 12/12. ⸻ What I’d ask (kindly) Just two simple questions, no interrogation: 1. Is “Week 10” counted from seed or from first pistils? 2. What light intensity (or wattage + distance) is she getting? Those two answers change everything. ⸻ Calm expectations to set • If auto, week 10 from seed → still time • If late flower already → focus on finishing well, not size • Small plants can still produce nice quality Quality quantity 🌿 Growers Love my friend and keep us posted 🙌👊🙏

if 12/12 is convenient and you provide 35-40 DLI, there are no negative effects from it. Lots of misinformation out there. Measuring light is about total numbers of photons per day... not how many in 12 or 18 hours. So, as long as you provide the same number of PAR wavelength photons to the plant per day, the growth and production will be the same. too early for assumptionsn about bud size. You are guessing. However if you estimate your DLI and it's lower than the range i mentioned, you will have a smaller harvest than you could have by comparison. Genetics dictate whether a plant can grow 'big buds' .. all you can do is provide the energy and building blocks to allow it to happen when possible. Keep it happy and the plant will do the rest.

12/12 is not good for autos. Switch to 18/6 at least. And increase light intensity.

Autoflowering plants don’t need 12H of nighttime to make flowers. Set your light on 18/6, 18H On , 6H Off. If you have knowledge and experience with the use of nutrients, give some P-K 0-12-12 with Magnesium + Sulfur around 1200ppm’s in total

hi...... Your light cycle is wrong.......!!!! You need to switch to 18/6! For autos! With 12 hours of light, no big buds can form 😉

I am only a new grower, but I do think your light schedule is wrong. From everything I have read, 18/6 or 20/4 or even 24 hours of light is best for autos. I am running 20/4, 20 on 4 off (everybody deserves to sleep sometime! 💤😁). Good luck!