When growing weed, there are so many factors to consider. There’s temperature, moisture, humidity, and light. After the vegetative period, growers have to set a light schedule to help the plant grow and develop flowers. However, this isn’t the same for all types of weed.
Autoflowering cannabis seeds produce plants that flower independently after 2-4 weeks of vegetative growth. As a grower, you don’t need to worry about a light schedule because the weed seeds are capable of initiating and maintaining their flowering phase.
Some strains depend on a specific period of varying light and darkness. For instance, for them to shift from the vegetative to the flowering stage, they need 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. With auto-flowering weed seeds, you don’t need all of that.
This is why they are a rage these days, along with feminised seeds. This article will examine autoflowering seeds, their benefits, and if they’re worth the extra price.
How Do Autoflowering Seeds Work?
Plants that require light to flower are called photoperiod plants. Not only do they need light, but they can also flower under certain light conditions and during a certain photoperiod. This period is determined by the number of hours they spend in the light and the number of hours they spend in the dark.
To flower these plants early and speed their growth, indoor growers tend to put them on a strict 12/12 photoperiod. That is, 12 hours in the light, 12 hours in complete darkness. Growing autoflowering seeds is a different ballgame. Breeders have genetically engineered these strains to be independent of light, ruling out the strict 12/12 light schedule.
When the autoflowering plants reach a specific size, it automatically starts to flower. They are ready for harvest in ten weeks, and growers can immediately start another cultivation round, since flowering usually begins a mere two to four weeks after planting.
The Benefits of Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds
There are so many advantages to enjoy from autoflowering seeds. Aside from the fact that the rigid light schedule is off and harvest time comes quicker, here are some other benefits to watch out for:
They are more resistant to temperature fluctuations and cold;
It can be grown outdoors and indoors all year round;
Crop harvest is timely and reliable;
Less hassle and faster growing;
The plant sizes are small, so it’s more manageable and encourages air circulation;
You enjoy more harvest per season that you do with photoperiod plants;
They are discreet to grow since they don’t get very tall;
Autoflowering cannabis plants can tolerate all forms of light leaks, be it harsh cuff lights or low room lights;
High resistance to changes in weather;
They can better withstand pest and disease infestation than other varieties;
They can also thrive in different types of soil, and are not overly demanding on nutrients;
They offer higher levels of CBD;
It is an excellent starter for beginners;
It doesn’t cost a lot to grow autoflowering plants;
They don’t need to be transported to a growing medium.
The Disadvantages of Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds
Nothing in life is perfect; we can say the same for autoflowering seeds. Despite their endless advantages, they have a few essential disadvantages:
The harvest is often, but yields are small;
The strains have lower THC content;
Due to genetic engineering, they don’t provide good-quality clones;
They proliferate and don’t have time to recover.
How to Grow Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds?
Although autoflowering plants are resilient, it doesn’t mean a grower should act carelessly with their seeds and pay little attention to it. Like every other plant, growing autoflowering seeds requires effort, attention, and patience. This is the only way to get quality results.
As a grower, you want to begin by choosing indoor or outdoor planting; either is fine; it depends on your goals and preferences. You can plant indoors at any time of the year, provided there’s access to enough light for your plants. If you want to plant outdoors, it could be towards spring, when natural light is plentiful.
Autoflowering seeds work independently and can provide their nutrients, so as a grower, you don’t have to supply nutrients in the form of fertilizers or manure to their growing medium.
Flowers start growing in the first two or four weeks after planting, so there is no time nor need for replanting. Make sure you plant your seeds in a medium with enough space to accommodate them while growing conveniently. Ensure the medium also has enough drainage holes to transport sufficient oxygen.
Conclusion
Autoflowering seeds are amazing. They give growers a fresh perspective and an added advantage to growing cannabis at home. The cannabis industry is getting bigger, and people are looking for faster and more convenient ways by which growers can get the biggest yields in the shortest time possible.
As more people begin to see the potential in autoflowering cannabis seeds, more research will be made, and better strains will be provided. As a new grower, you must try your hands on as many varieties as possible to gain experience and be better at cultivating your weed at home.
