Autos are nice but they worry me because you can't control the size they grow right? That's why I wanna learn more about 'em.
Cannabis Indica, Cannabis Sativa, and Cannabis Ruderalis are the three phenotypes of Mary Jane. The first two make great bud and are photoperiod sensitive. Ruderalis makes shitty ass bud, its tiny, grows the way it wants, low yields and low potency. For an autoflower they breed a hybrid of Indica/Sativa together with a ruderalis plant. Now they got a plant that grows crappier weed, lower yields, and is a whole lot smaller. On the upside, it has a concrete lifespan now! The next step is called
backcrossing. They take their new ruderalis/(indica/sativa) and breed it with the original indica/sativa hybrid again. Plant the seeds, the next plant is larger, and they backcross again. And again. And again until the plant is as large and potent as possible while still retaining a concrete flowering schedule. Sometimes its 2 backcrosses, sometimes its more. (I visited sensi seeds in amsterdam and was fortunate enough to speak with someone experienced in the production side of the company, thats my source)
Miracle grow. Noobs use it, its for roses or fucking vegetables. When you use better soil, you get better results. There are 3 phases in the life of a soil grower.
Phase #1. Pre-bagged soil. Be it ocean forest or mg. Minor amendments, like adding perlite/worm castings and bragging that you're a growgod.
Phase #2. Soil amendment experimentation. Half OF, half MG, add perlite, add lime, add azomite, add gel crystals, add their cat's shit, whatever.
Phase #3. Homemade soil blend. Tried and true. Tailor made to their own growing practices, habits, and plant environment.
Most noobs bitch about miracle grow because the vast majority of it comes with time release fertilizer. Now let me lay this on any fuckstick dillhole reading this who thinks miracle grow burns your plants. YOU WATER TOO MUCH DUMBASS!!! You think MG has made this awesome gel capsule that deteriorates based on how many weeks the bag's been open? Its $8 a bag genius, the stuff isn't made @ NASA headquarters. It just washes in every time you water. Yeah, you can grow green in MG. You can grow "better" weed in OF. OF is better soil, theres no way around it, but if you suck at growing it doesn't matter. Here's my take on the matter. People who buy MG usually aren't prepared or don't care enough to educate themselves. People who buy OF are usually better prepared, more educated, and work harder. These aren't everytime rules, but its usually the case.
My final cent in the matter is. . . . . you think miracle grow is great? It isn't, you're just not an idiot that kills your plants. I'll grow a plant in kitty litter, dog shit and garbage if it'll convince you. If you can grow solid green in miracle grow, its time to work on your soil mix, you've obviously got the rest down enough.