Autoflowering just as the name says is automatic in nature. After two to four weeks of growth, auto-flowering cannabis seeds create plants that blossom on their own. Growers don’t have to modify the light schedule to start and maintain the flowering phase, as they would with feminized photoperiod cannabis.
Autoflowers also take a lot less time to mature. After sprouting, some types are ready to harvest in as little as 8 weeks. Autoflowers are very tiny, making them ideal for indoor growth. Autoflowers are perfect for novices in cannabis growth because they are so convenient. The unique growing characteristics of autoflowering cannabis can also be used by more experienced gardeners.
What Do Non-Photoperiod Strains Mean?
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Cannabis plants that have been feminized blossom according to the amount of light they get. When the days get shorter at the end of summer, they begin to bloom in the wild. Cultivators start flowering indoors by alternating 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness on their grow lights.
Autoflowering strains, on the other hand, blossom depending on age rather than light hours, making them non-photoperiod strains. Autoflowers feature several distinguishing characteristics:
- After 2–4 weeks, the plants will flower on their own.
- Ten weeks is the usual time between planting and harvest.
- Feminized auto-flowering seeds are also available.
- There’s no reason to be concerned about male plants.
- Plants are kept to a small size (30–100cm).
- They don’t draw a lot of attention.
- Ideal for covert growth.
- Each season, you can harvest multiple crops.
Autoflowers’ Characteristics
When autoflowers first hit the market in the early 2000s, they weren’t exactly a hit. They weren’t very powerful, didn’t have much of an aroma, and didn’t produce a lot of fruit. Autoflowers, on the other hand, have gone a long way since then.
In terms of potency, yield, and aroma, modern autoflowers compete with (and sometimes even outperform) feminized photoperiod strains. Despite this, they continue to offer the same fantastic benefits as previously described, as well as a reputation for being extremely stable and sturdy.
Autoflowers may now satisfy even the most discerning users: recreational users will have no trouble locating autoflowers strong in THC, while holistic users will be able to benefit from autoflowers low in THC but high in CBD to reap the benefits of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid.
What Is the Process of Growing Autoflowering Plants?
Crossbreeding Indica or Sativa plants with ruderalis produces auto-flowering cultivars. Ruderalis is a wild cannabis subtype that develops in areas where summers are short but there are many hours of daylight Instead of blossoming during daylight hours, these plants have evolved to flower according to their age.
Ruderalis isn’t particularly beneficial on its own: the buds don’t generate a high, and the plants are little and yield low. Breeders learned that they could autoflower high-quality Indica and Sativa strains by crossing them with ruderalis. Combining the best characteristics of every cannabis subspecies has revolutionized cannabis agriculture.
Why do people use automatic cannabis strains?
Growers: Autoflowers are popular among growers since they are simple to grow and produce a quick harvest with good yields. They’re one of the greatest plants for growing in small places, thanks to their compact size—perfect for micro-grows or a couple of plants on a balcony.
They are also wonderful strains to grow outside because they are hardy and sturdy. They’re also a wonderful choice for clandestine guerilla grows due to their compact size.
Autos can be enjoyed by recreational users in the same way as feminized photoperiod cannabis can. You can find the ideal autoflower to fit your tastes if you’re smoking for the high, which can range from calming to uplifting, fun, and giggly.Some autoflowers have a lower THC content than the normal strain, making them excellent for those who prefer a gentler and more balanced high.
Terpenes’ Influence on Autoflowering Strains
Terpenes are cannabis’ fragrant components. Each strain has a unique terpene profile that contributes to its distinct scents and flavors. So, if you’re smoking autoflower buds and you get citrusy, floral, fruity, skunky, or even gasoline aromas, it’s because of the strain’s unique terpene profile. Terpenes are also thought to alter the effect of a strain, in addition to providing pleasant tastes and odors.
