What are autoflowering seeds and how to grow them?

Posted by admin 23/06/2021 0 Comment(s)

What are autoflowering seeds and how to grow them

 

Autoflowering seeds are taking over the market. They are easy and fast to grow, therefore the perfect choice for any beginner or even advanced grower, who wants quick, but still good results.

 

In this article, we have collected the most common questions about autoflowering seeds and plants, and gathered everything you need to know about them, so we can make your journey on discovering them and their fantastic results as pleasurable as possible.

 

 

What are autoflowering cannabis seeds?

Autoflowering cannabis plants, that of course, come from the autoflowering cannabis seeds, are known for their ability to automatically switch from growing phase to flowering phase. Usually, the growers need to change the light schedule to initiate the flowering phase for photoperiod plants.

 

Autoflowering plants usually take around 8 weeks to develop from sprout to fully developed plant, that is ready to be harvested. The plant initiates the flowering phase according to its age.

 

They are usually smaller in size, more resistant to fungi, temperature fluctuations and pests, comparing to the plants that grow from photoperiod seeds. On the other side, they do give smaller yield, they may develop as male plant and you cannot clone them. But their speed of retrieving the yield and their resistance absolutely overweighs the cons.

 

 

How to tell if seed is autoflowering?

By the seed on its own, it is really hard to tell, if it is autoflowering or photoperiod seed. The biggest difference is visible in the plant on its own.

 

The autoflowering pants are usually smaller, they take two to four weeks to show their sex and by sixth week you should see at least some flowers. If not, it is probably photoperiod plant.

 

Auto Amnesia Haze autoflowering strain

 

 

 

What are other differences between autoflowering and feminized photoperiod seeds?

Feminized photoperiod seeds flowering phase depends on the number of hours of light they receive. In nature, they would usually start flowering at the end of summer, when the days get shorter and the amount of light decreases.

 

When grown indoors, the flowering phase is usually initiated by adjusting the grow lights to only 12 hours per day, so the plant spends 12 hours in the dark.

 

Feminized photoperiod plants are usually larger in size, take a lot more time to deliver yield (12 to 20 weeks), they can be cloned, and they produce bigger yield.

 

They are usually more demanding than autoflowering plants. Photoperiod plants need more space, more care and attention and more demanding lighting schedule, since their flowering phase is based on it. On the other hand, autoflowering plants start the flowering phase based on their age.

 

Indoor growing autoflowering cannabis seeds

 

 

Are all autoflowering seeds female?

No. Regular autoflowering seeds have 50 % chance of being males or females. The sex is usually visible after two to three weeks after sprouting.

 

Male plants tend to show themselves earlier than females. They are usually taller with less leaves and branches, but sometimes a male plant can look like female plant. Male plants have tiny little male flowers, that later release pollen, that looks like golden-white powder.

 

If you are trying to produce seedless yield, you should get rid of the male plants, but on the other side, male plants can be useful if you are trying to produce your own seeds or create a new strain.

 

BUT at Victory seeds we sell feminized autoflowering seeds so there is no need to worry about male plants.

 

 

Pros and cons of autoflowering strains

Resistance

The pros of autoflowering strains are probably their resistance, they quickly deliver the yield, they automatically begin the flowering phase, and they provide better yield when grown indoors.

 

So, if you are looking for a simple plant that does not require too much extra work and if you are just starting out and have limited amount of knowledge, experience, space and time, the autoflowering plant might be a better pick for you, as it will provide quick and easy, but still wonderful results.

 

Size

The con of autoflowering plants is also their size, but that does not apply for everyone, because some growers prefer smaller plants. Their cons might also be the size of their yield, they tend to have more leaves compared to photoperiod plants and that they cannot be cloned.

 

 

Are autoflowering plants less potent?

Ten years ago – when autoflowering seeds were first introduced to the market, they were considered less potent, since their autoflowering gene originates from the Ruderalis branch of cannabis.

 

Ruderalis is known for low levels of THC. In the past years the Ruderalis has been crossbred with many strains that have extremely high THC content, so the modern autoflowering plants are rivals to the feminized photoperiod strains in terms of aroma and potency. Some might even surpass them.

 

 

How to grow autoflowering seeds?

Autoflowering seeds take from sprout to harvest around eight to ten weeks – some may take longer, some may take less, it all depends on the strain.

 

Indoor growing autoflowering cannabis strains

 

 

Autoflowering plants have, as mentioned many times before, very good and hardy resistance, so they are able to withstand the challenges of developing outdoors. However, if you want a better yield, indoor growing is more promising.

 

The most popular light schedule by growers for autoflowering plants is of 18 hours on and 6 hours of during entire growing cycle. Another factor that might be impacting the final result of your plant is the pH.

 

The ideal pH, in which the cannabis plants tend to thrive in is between 6.0 and 6.5. The pH being too high or too low will impact the plants’ ability to absorb nutrients.

 

You also need to water the plant. About 0.5 litre of water per 24 hours is recommended when the plant is undergoing vegetation and about a litre of water per 24 hours when the flowering phase begins.

 

When the plant is in the last weeks before harvesting, it will probably need around 1.5 litre per day. The plant is ready to be harvested when the buds are covered in white trichomes, and pistils are red or brown colour.

 

 

Best autoflowering strains

We have collected top 5 autoflowering strains from our website.

 

Auto Chocodope

 

Auto Chocodope Autoflowering strain

 

Auto Chocodope is a feminized autoflowering strain – so no need to fear male plants. Indoor flowering period ends around 7 to 8 weeks after sprouting and around 11 weeks outdoors.

 

Indoor yield of this strain can reach up to 450 grams per square meter, and around 140 grams outdoors per plant. The plant can reach about 150 centimetres in heights and has a very high THC content, accompanied with medium CBD percentage. It has a nice and sweet aroma.

 

 

Auto OG Kush

 

Auto OG Kush autoflowering strain

 

Auto OG Kush is also feminized autoflowering strain, that is ready to be harvested after six to eight weeks indoors and after ten to eleven weeks indoors.

 

Auto OG Kush can provide around 400 grams of buds per square metre indoors and around 170 grams per plant when grown outdoors, making this strain one of the strongest autoflowering yielder on the market. It has a high THC content and medium CBD content.

 

 

Auto Northern Light

 

Best Sutoflowering Strain - Auto Northern Bud

 

Auto Northern Light is a beautiful and very high-quality strain, that is ideal for indoor or outdoor growing and provides amazing results. When grown indoors, it is ready to be harvested after 6 to 8 weeks and it produces up to 550 grams of buds per square meter.

 

When grown outdoors, the plant needs about 10 to 11 weeks to fully develop, and it usually produces from 40 to 200 grams per plant. It can reach from 70 to 170 centimetres in heights. The THC content is usually around 21 %.

 

 

Auto Original Berry

 

Auto Original Berry - best autoflowering plant

 

Auto Original Berry is mixed sativa and indica feminized autoflowering strain, that is ready to be harvested after 7 to 8 weeks, when grown indoors, and it produces around 400 grams of buds per square meter.

 

Indoors, the plant is ready to be harvested a few weeks later – usually around 10 to 11 weeks after sprouting – and it produces around 50 to 170 grams per plant. This autoflowering strain can reach the height from 80 to 180 centimetres.

 

It has a very high THC content, which is accompanied by sweet and fruity aromas and terpenes (reminds of blueberry).

 

 

Auto White Widow 

 

Auto White Widow autoflowering cannabis strain

 

Auto White Widow is a vigorous and strong feminized autoflowering strain produced from the original White Widow mother plant.

 

It is very easy to grow, and it gives amazing results, that are present after 7 to 8 weeks when grown indoors and 11 weeks when grown outdoors. Indoors it produces around 450 to 550 grams per square meter, and around 60 to 250 grams per plant when grown outdoors.

 

THC content can reach up to 19 %. This strain has very visible characteristic from its mother plant, present both in its physical appearance and its great productivity of resin. But this one has a little bit higher level of CBD, making it more useful for medicinal purposes.

 

 

 

Where to get autoflowering seeds?

Autoflowering seeds are available on our webpage and on many different webpages all over the internet. You can find them on webpages from the seed banks or from different retailers.

 

 

Who has the best autoflowering seeds?

Of course, every seed bank thinks their seeds (autoflowering or not) are the best. At the end of the day, the decision is yours.

 

As much as the quality of the seeds is important, so are 1000 other factors, that impact on how well your seed will sprout, how well it will grow and produce.

 

Some of the most popular seed banks are Dutch Passion, Sensi Seeds, Bulk Seed Bank, Barney’s Farm, Fast Buds, Green House Seeds, Kannabia Seeds, Royal Queen Seeds, Dinafem, Anaconda Seeds and many many more. And of course ours - Victory Seeds

 

 

Final thoughts

In conclusion autoflowering seeds are ideal choice for beginners and for experienced growers. They offer quick and impressive yields. They can be smaller in size, but they are sturdy and can provide excellent THC and CBD content.

 

With crossbreeding autoflowering strains have become more and more similar to the ordinary photoperiod strains, with the ability to switch to the flowering phase on their own, based on their age.

 

To sum up, autoflowering seeds are ideal choice for anyone, who is looking for low maintenance plant, that provides good and fast results.

 

 

Disclaimer: All our blog articles are for informational and theoretical purposes only and do not encourage or illustrate the actual state, cultivation or use of cannabis substances.

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