Bonnie & Clyde Mixing Guide: Autoflower Nutrients 101Updated 18 days ago
Cronk's Bonnie and Clyde line is built for the shorter autoflower lifecycle. Bonnie runs your veg, Clyde runs your flower, and you switch from one to the other when the plant transitions. Here's how to mix them correctly, from your first feed to your last.
What you'll need
- Bonnie (NPK 6-5-4) for vegetative stage
- Clyde (NPK 3-6-5) for flowering stage
- CalMag — especially important if you're on RO water, running coco, or under LEDs
- Armadillo Armour (monosilicic acid, optional but recommended for stress tolerance)
- Monkey Juice (beneficial bacteria, optional)
- Bud Booster or Sticky Bandit (flower additives, optional)
- A pH pen and pH up/down solution
- An EC or PPM meter
Download your feed chart
Pick the measurement system you use and download the official autoflower feed chart:
The charts walk you through every week from seedling to harvest. Print one and keep it next to your mixing area.
When to start feeding
Wait until your autoflowers show their first true set of leaves, usually around day 7 after sprouting. That's when the plant enters early veg and starts pulling more nitrogen and calcium than it can get from seed stores alone.
Before that point, plain water is plenty. Autoflowers are sensitive to overfeeding in the first week, and starting nutrients too early is one of the most common causes of burnt seedlings.
The mixing order (this is the part most guides get wrong)
Mix one product at a time, stir between each, and follow this sequence. The order matters for two reasons: silica polymerizes if it hits salt solutions, and beneficial bacteria die if they meet acids.
- Armadillo Armour (if using) — always first, always to plain water. Stir 30 seconds, wait 5 minutes before adding anything else. This rule applies even on RO water.
- CalMag — stir 30 seconds, wait 2 minutes.
- Bonnie (veg) OR Clyde (flower) — pick one, never both in the same feeding.
- Bud Booster (flower stage only, use with Clyde) — stir 30 seconds.
- Sticky Bandit (optional, any stage) — stir 30 seconds.
- Adjust pH to the target for your medium (see the pH section below).
- Monkey Juice (if using) — always last, always after pH adjustment. The acids in pH down will kill the bacteria on contact.
The whole sequence takes about 10 to 15 minutes. If you're running a minimal setup (just Bonnie or Clyde + CalMag), skip steps 1, 4, 5, and 7.
Vegetative stage mixing example (Week 2, 5-gallon batch)
Using Week 2 from the novice feed chart as an example:
| Product | mL per gallon | Total for 5 gallons | Mixing step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armadillo Armour (optional) | 0.5 mL | 2.5 mL | Step 1 |
| CalMag | 2 mL | 10 mL | Step 2 |
| Bonnie | 2 mL | 10 mL | Step 3 |
| Sticky Bandit (optional) | 2 mL | 10 mL | Step 5 |
| Monkey Juice (optional) | 1 mL | 5 mL | Step 7 (after pH) |
Follow the mixing order above and adjust pH to 6.3 to 6.8 for soil or 5.8 to 6.2 for coco before adding Monkey Juice.
Flowering stage mixing example (Week 1 of flower, 5-gallon batch)
| Product | mL per gallon | Total for 5 gallons | Mixing step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armadillo Armour (optional) | 0.5 mL | 2.5 mL | Step 1 |
| CalMag | 4 mL | 20 mL | Step 2 |
| Clyde | 9 mL | 45 mL | Step 3 |
| Bud Booster | 2 mL | 10 mL | Step 4 |
| Sticky Bandit (optional) | 3 mL | 15 mL | Step 5 |
| Monkey Juice (optional) | 1 mL | 5 mL | Step 7 (after pH) |
Adjust pH to 6.3 to 6.8 for soil or 5.8 to 6.2 for coco after all other nutrients are in, then add Monkey Juice if using.
pH targets by grow medium
| Medium | Range | Target | Key rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil | 6.0 to 7.0 | 6.3 to 6.8 | Soil buffers well, a little drift is fine |
| Coco | 5.5 to 6.5 | 5.8 to 6.2 | Hard cap at 6.5. Above that, iron and phosphorus lock out |
| Hydro (DWC, NFT, drip) | 5.5 to 6.5 | 5.8 to 6.0 with drift | Let it drift across the range, don't pin it |
A reliable pH pen matters more than any specific brand. Calibrate it monthly and store it properly, or the readings drift and you'll chase problems that don't exist.
When to switch from Bonnie to Clyde
Switch when you see the first signs of pre-flower, usually around week 4 to 5 for most autoflowers:
- White hairs (pistils) forming at the nodes
- Stretch starting to slow down
- Small pre-flowers at bud sites
Don't switch based on the calendar alone. Watch the plant. Most autos follow the pattern: Weeks 1 to 4 Bonnie, Weeks 5 to 10 Clyde. CalMag runs throughout both stages.
You don't need to flush between Bonnie and Clyde. A flush can help reset the root zone if you've been running high EC, but it's not required and skipping it won't hurt anything.
Watering through the grow
Seedling stage (week 1)
Keep soil or coco lightly moist. Don't soak it. Autoflower seedlings have tiny root systems and heavy watering drowns them before they can establish. A spray bottle or a small pour around the base is usually enough.
Early veg (week 2 to 3)
Increase watering gradually as the plant grows. By week 3, aim for about 20 percent runoff per feeding. Runoff helps flush out salt buildup and keeps the root zone at a balanced pH.
Late veg and flower
Water to runoff every feed or every other feed depending on your medium and pot size. Alternate feed and plain water if you see EC climbing in your runoff.
Final tips for autoflower success
- Follow the feed chart, don't freestyle. Autoflowers are more sensitive to overfeeding than photoperiod plants. Starting at full strength burns them fast.
- Alternate feed and plain water if you see nutrient buildup in runoff.
- Store mixed solution for up to 10 days in a cool dark container, stirred before each use. If Monkey Juice is in the mix, use it same day.
- Track your grow. Write down feed amounts, pH, and plant response. The notes from your first grow are worth more than any YouTube video for your second grow.
- Record runoff pH and EC. Runoff tells you what's happening in the root zone, not just what you poured in.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mix Bonnie and Clyde in the same feed?
No. Bonnie is the vegetative nutrient and Clyde is the flower nutrient. You switch from one to the other when the plant transitions. They're never used together in the same feeding.
When do I start feeding Bonnie?
Once your autoflower shows its first true set of leaves, usually around day 7. Before that, plain water is enough.
Do I have to use Armadillo Armour?
No, it's optional. But it helps with stress tolerance, cell wall strength, and pest resistance. If you use it, always add it first in the mixing order, even on RO water.
Do I have to use Monkey Juice?
No, it's optional. But it adds beneficial bacteria to the root zone and supports soil biology. If you use it, always add it last, after pH adjustment.
Do I need to flush between Bonnie and Clyde?
No. A flush can help reset the root zone if you've been running high EC, but it's not required.
Why does Armadillo Armour go first instead of CalMag, even on RO water?
Armadillo Armour is monosilicic acid, which polymerizes and becomes unavailable to plants when it hits concentrated salt solutions. Adding it to plain water first, with a 5-minute wait, keeps it usable. Adding it after CalMag or base nutrients wastes the silica. This rule applies regardless of water type.
How long can I store mixed nutrient solution?
Up to 10 days in a cool, dark, sealed container, stirred before each use. Solutions with Monkey Juice are best used the same day because the bacterial population shifts.
Why is coco capped at pH 6.5?
Coco has high cation exchange capacity, which competes with your plant for calcium and magnesium. Above pH 6.5, coco locks out iron and phosphorus quickly. Soil tolerates a wider range because it buffers better.
Related resources
Still need help?
Email our grow support team at [email protected]. Include your medium, water source, and what stage your plants are in, and we'll walk through your specific feed. We respond within 24 hours.