Have you ever heard of autoflower cannabis seeds? If you’re a cannabis enthusiast, you may already know about these unique plants. However, if you’re new to growing or consuming cannabis, it’s important to understand what makes autoflower strains different from traditional photoperiod strains. Autoflowers are a type of cannabis plant that starts flowering automatically after a certain period of time, rather than in response to changes in light cycles like photoperiod strains.
This unique trait has made them increasingly popular among growers and consumers alike. In this article, we explore the differences between autoflower and photoperiod seeds, the benefits of growing autoflowers, common misconceptions about these plants, and much more. Whether you’re looking to start your own grow operation or simply want to expand your knowledge on the subject, keep reading to discover everything you need to know about autoflower cannabis seeds.
What Are Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds?
Autoflowering cannabis seeds are a type of cannabis seed that has been crossbred with a cannabis strain that contains ruderalis genetics. This allows the plant to automatically switch from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage without the need for a change in the light cycle, resulting in a shorter overall growth period and a quicker harvest time.
Autoflowers are usually smaller plants than photoperiod varieties since they don’t require as many light hours and energy as their photoperiod counterparts. The short life span of autoflowers also allows them to be easily cultivated outdoors where seasonal changes would make it difficult for many photoperiod strains to mature properly.
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Understanding the Life Cycle of Cannabis Plants
The length of time it takes for a cannabis plant to mature depends on several factors, including the strain, genetics, and growing conditions. However, most cannabis plants follow a similar life cycle that can be broken down into six stages: germination, seedling, vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering, and harvesting.
Germination
In order to ensure germination, mature seeds are necessary. Immature seeds will not germinate. Mature seeds are brown, shiny, dry, and hard, whilst underdeveloped seeds are soft and will appear white or green. To germinate, keep seeds in a dark, wet place. The radicle will shoot downwards and a new stem will grow upwards and cotyledon leaves will sprout from the stem and gather energy from sunlight. The first true leaves grow and the plant is no longer a seedling.
Seedling
Seedlings need sunlight, moist soil, and mild humidity to grow quickly. A seedling will develop traditional-looking cannabis leaves which can have 3 to 13 fingers, with one finger on sprouts and more fingers as the plant grows. The first-fingered leaves have serrated edges and grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. Cannabis plants are seedlings until their leaves have a full number of fingers. Healthy seedlings have short, thick vegetation and vibrant green leaves.
Vegetative
When a cannabis seedling grows 7 pointed leaves, it enters vegetative growth. After being moved to a bigger pot, the plant’s growth accelerates, its stem becomes thicker and taller, it grows more leaves, nodes, and branches, and its root system gets stronger for flowering. This is when growers start topping and training plants and the spacing between nodes shows what kind of cannabis is growing. During vegetative growth, it’s important to increase water and nutrients and provide enough soil space for plants to grow 2-3 feet tall.
Pre-Flowering
Plants take 7-14 days to enter the pre-flowering stage. A pre-flower at the nodes can determine a plant’s sex, it’s easier to determine sex in the vegetative stage. Female plants have two pistils on each bud. Male plants have green pollen sacs on the node areas. Removing male and intersex plants before flowering is critical.
Flowering
Plants enter the flowering stage with less than 12 hours of light. Complete darkness for 10 to 12 hours is required. It will be ready to harvest when pistils turn reddish-orange and trichomes turn amber. Amber means a higher CBD-to-THC ratio. Trichomes falling off means cannabinoids are gone, and brown trichomes mean it’s time to harvest. Harvest at half-opaque trichomes for the highest THC and lowest CBD levels.
Harvest
In order to harvest, cut the cannabis plant into smaller branches for easier drying and hang the pieces upside down in a cool, dark room. Apply humidity of 40-50% and let hang for 7-14 days. Drying prevents fungus and bacteria growth and preserves the life of cannabis. Slow drying preserves quality, while quick drying results in harsh cannabis. Curing is optional and involves aging in sealed, airtight containers at 50-60 °F.
Differences Between Autoflower and Photoperiod Cannabis Seeds
Autoflowering seeds are unique because they don’t require specific light hours to start flowering. Instead, they begin flowering automatically after a certain period of time from germination. This characteristic makes them ideal for outdoor growers who want to harvest multiple times per year, as well as indoor growers who want a quicker turnaround time on their crops.
On the other hand, photoperiod cannabis seeds rely on a specific light schedule to trigger their flowering period. These plants require 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness each day to initiate blooming. This means that indoor growers will need specialized lighting equipment to control the light cycle and ensure proper growth stages.
Another key difference is that autoflowering seeds tend to be smaller in size compared to photoperiod seeds. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean lower potency or yield- many modern autoflower strains are just as potent as their larger counterparts. Additionally, feminized versions of both types are available for those who want guaranteed female plants without worrying about male pollination ruining their crop.
Understanding the differences between autoflower and photoperiod cannabis seeds is important for any grower looking to cultivate these plants successfully. The choice ultimately depends on personal preferences and growing conditions. Regardless of which type you choose, proper cultivation techniques and attention to detail will lead you toward a successful harvest every time!
Benefits of Growing Autoflower Cannabis Plants
Growing autoflower plants has many advantages, including a faster turnaround time and the ability to harvest multiple times per year.
Easier to Grow
One of the biggest benefits of growing autoflower cannabis plants is their ease of growth. Unlike photoperiod plants, which require a specific light cycle, autoflowers will begin to flower regardless of light hours. This makes them perfect for novice growers or those who don’t have a lot of experience with cannabis cultivation. Additionally, since autoflowers only take around 8-10 weeks from seed to harvest, you can experiment with different strains more frequently.
Multiple Harvest Per Year
Another advantage of growing autoflower cannabis plants is their ability to produce multiple harvests per year. Traditional photoperiod plants typically only yield one crop annually due to seasonal changes in daylight hours. However, with autoflowers, you can consistently produce crops throughout the year as long as you maintain ideal growing conditions. This means that you can enjoy fresh buds year-round without having to wait for an entire season.
Greater Flexibility
Growing autoflower cannabis plants allows you greater flexibility when it comes to your environment and setup. Since these plants are designed for fast growth cycles and small spaces, they are perfect for indoor growth or outdoor gardens where space may be limited. Additionally, since autoflowers don’t rely on specific light schedules like traditional photoperiod strains do, they’re easier to manage and require less maintenance overall.
Common Misconceptions About Autoflower Strains
You shouldn’t believe everything you hear about autoflower strains, there are many common misconceptions that can lead to inaccurate expectations and disappointment in your growth:
- Autoflowering plants don’t require any hours of light: While they may be more forgiving when it comes to light schedules, they still need at least 18-20 hours of light per day to thrive.
- You can harvest autoflower seeds in a few weeks from seed: While it’s true that these plants have a shorter life cycle than photoperiod strains, they still need time to mature and develop properly. Most autoflowers take anywhere from 8-12 weeks before they’re ready for harvest.
- Autoflowers are only suitable for experienced growers: Many beginner growers find these varieties easier to manage than traditional photoperiod strains because they don’t require as much attention when it comes to lighting schedules and other factors.
- All autoflower seeds are created equal: This is a dangerous assumption as not all seed banks are reputable or reliable, and buying low-quality seeds can result in disappointing yields or even failed crops.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Autoflower Strain
When choosing an autoflower strain, you’ll want to consider several factors that will impact the overall success and quality of your growth. Below are the factors that you should be considering when choosing an autoflower strain in order to maximize the chances of a successful harvest!
Potency
It’s often thought that autoflower seeds are milder than feminized seeds. However, this isn’t precisely true. Autoflower strains are just as potent as regular, feminized seeds. This means that, while some autoflowers may offer milder effects compared to other varieties, there still exists the potential for a strong experience with these types of strains.
For novice users looking to find their way around the world of cannabis cultivation and consumption, this can be an important factor in finding the best experience. Autoflower strains can range from extremely potent to quite gentle, so it might be better for beginners to start with something on the milder side rather than pushing themselves into an intense high. With so many great autoflowering genetics available, it’s easy to find a strain that suits any level of experience.
Effects
Before selecting a particular kind of seed, one must consider what they expect from their marijuana plants in terms of effects. Do they want them to make them happy and euphoric or focused and creative? When it comes down to it, having clear breeding goals is essential for cannabis farmers in order to maximize their yield and get enhanced results. Experienced growers know what works best for their desired effects and how to select the most optimal type of cannabis seeds for successful growth.
Flavor
Often thought of last by marijuana cultivators, the flavor of autoflower seeds is an important factor to consider when planting. As with all other aspects of marijuana cultivation and consumption, different varieties can be identified by their unique flavors and aromas. Whether you’re looking for an earthy flavor or something more tropical, there are a variety of autoflower seed strains to choose from so you can get the exact flavor like when smoking your harvest.
Price
When it comes to getting the most for your money when choosing autoflowering strains, doing proper research is key. Due to the complexity of these varieties, one has to be sure that they are getting quality seeds that will produce a robust crop with their desired effects, potency, and flavors. For those who still may feel overwhelmed by all the available options, seeking advice from experienced growers and online sources is always advised to make sure you get the best results from your hard-earned money.
Climate
Growing cannabis, whether indoors or outdoors, is a complex process. A mistake many beginners make is not taking into account the climate they live in and the influence it has on their cultivation. Generally, autoflowering cannabis strains do best in areas that receive both sun and rain throughout the summer months. Depending on the plant’s native climate, some regions may need to provide extra protection from cold weather or excessive heat during certain seasons.
How to grow cannabis from a seed
Best Practices for Growing Autoflower Cannabis Seeds
Mastering the art of cultivating autoflower strains can be an exhilarating journey that rewards you with bountiful yields of premium-quality buds. In order to ensure you get the most out of your autoflower plants, our experts have created this list of the best practices for growing your autoflowering seeds:
- Provide optimal lighting through HID or LED fixtures
- Ensure proper germination before planting by keeping your seeds moist but not soaked and maintain a temperature range between 70-80°F until they sprout
- Pay attention to environmental conditions such as humidity and nutrient levels throughout the plant’s growth stages
- Buy your seeds from a reputable seed bank
- Do your research on the best strain for your needs
- Seek the advice of experienced growers
Buy Autoflower Cannabis Seeds
Whether you are an inexperienced grower or a professional cultivator, autoflower seeds are a great starting point if you want to produce high-quality weed. At Seed To Soul Cannabis, we can help you source premium autoflower cannabis seeds of the highest quality. We want to ensure that your crop is as successful as possible, which is why we offer a wide variety of strains so you can create a plant with the perfect effects, flavor, and potency. Our products are guaranteed to get you consistent results that you’ll be happy with!
