Help with new grow- AG grower

Ok so i've just realized that my first grow sucks compared to other AeroGarden growers.

I used flourescents for veggin 18/6
I started flowering with a CFL then swithed to HPS 12/12

plant date was from seedling was 12/21/08

and i got tiny little pistils everywhere no real buds.

here take a look




but recently i just order some lowryder 2 seeds and wanna make this grow the best ever, leaving this shameful monster plant in my past.


So what should i do on lighting schedule for this new grow, i have been reading some post about 24/7 veg lighting , what's up with this? explain? will the 18/6 be good all the way through because its autoflowering?

and i'm seriously considering soil since it's auto flowering, any suggestiongs

HH

uh-oh....yet another hydro enthusiast falls off the bandwagon, lol.

Plants grow at night; 18/6 is fine. Soil for the win.