How Do Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds Work?
Even people who don’t grow marijuana usually know that there are many different strains to choose from. What they may not realize is that, in addition to different strains, growers also need to choose what types of plants to cultivate. These days, many of them are choosing autoflowering cannabis seeds.
What Are Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds?
The autoflowering cannabis seeds available through Weed Seeds USA and other reputable suppliers look just like ordinary photoperiod seeds. Unlike regular indica and sativa strains, though, autoflowering cannabis seeds contain genetics from the Cannabis ruderalis plant, a precursor to modern marijuana. This lesser-known type of cannabis contains very little THC, but it has a unique feature that makes it very useful to marijuana breeders.
Cannabis ruderalis starts producing flowers after a predetermined period of time instead of entering the flowering period when the level of sunlight approaches 12 hours per day. These plants, native to southern Siberia, also have much shorter growing periods than other types of cannabis. When combined with high-potency strains of indica, sativa, or hybrid marijuana, ruderalis plants produce autoflowers.
How Do Autoflowers Work?
Autoflowering marijuana can be grown either indoors or outside. Outdoor growers who live in cool climates with short growing seasons often like them because of how quickly they begin to produce flowers. Indoor growers like autoflowers both because they produce crops quickly and because they take up less space than most photoperiod strains.
Growers can plant autoflower seeds and nurture them through the seedling and into the vegetative stage just like their other cannabis plants. It’s when they have been through between four and six weeks of vegetative growth that the situation with these plants changes. They switch over to bloom automatically, then stay in the flowering stage for up to nine weeks, all regardless of what kind of light schedule they’re subjected to.
The Benefits of Growing Autoflowers
The most obvious benefit of autoflowering seeds is that they produce plants capable of being harvested in less than two months. This remarkably fast growth cycle is just one of the advantages of autoflowers, though. They also take up less space and use fewer resources.
While each autoflowering plant will have a lower yield than its typical larger photoperiod counterpart, the average harvest throughout the year is often much higher with autoflowers. Plus, these strains of cannabis tend to be hardier than sativas, indicas, and hybrids that don’t contain ruderalis genetics.
How Long Does It Take to Grow Autoflowers?
Like photoperiod strains, autoflowering strains all have slightly different growing requirements and seasons. Most are ready for harvest in less than 10 weeks, but some must stay in bloom for longer than others. On the other end of the spectrum, some autoflowering varieties will be ready to harvest just six weeks after the seeds are planted.
Can Autoflowers Be Grown From Clones?
Unlike photoperiod plants, autoflowering cannabis cannot be grown from clones. This approach to propagation leads to the cuttings transitioning into the flowering stage too early to provide worthwhile yields. The good news is that a plant’s ability to autoflower is passed down within its DNA, which makes it possible for plant breeders to save seeds and refine genetics.
Where to Buy Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds
The best way for growers to get their hands on autoflowering cannabis seeds is to purchase them online from a reputable seed bank or seed seller like Zamnesia. Good seed banks will have a full variety of autoflowering strains to choose from.
