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How to Grow Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds

Last Updated: February 06, 2023By Joshua Mezher

Whether you're new to growing cannabis or you've been growing pot for years, auto-flowering strains are possibly the best way to go. You could be growing autoflowers indoors in soil or setting up a hydroponic autoflower grow; it doesn't matter. Autoflowering seeds are ready for harvest in just eight weeks while still producing potent effects. 

For the most part, growing autoflowers indoors or outdoors is the same as growing regular marijuana, except it's a lot easier. However, to grow the best cannabis, you need to do more than know how to grow auto-flowering seeds. You'll also need the best supplies. Don't worry; a Pot for Pot has you covered.

What Does “Autoflowering” Mean?

Autoflowering seeds are typically a mixture of cannabis Sativa or Indica with Cannabis Ruderalis, a species native to Russia. People don’t grow Cannabis Ruderalis on its own because it typically lacks a high degree of THC content. But because this species grows automatically after seven weeks and fares well in cold weather, these traits have made them desirable to use for interbreeding.

An auto-flowering cannabis strain switches from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage automatically instead of requiring closely timed hours of light and dark. Photoperiod flowering seeds start to bloom after the summer solstice, while auto-flowering seeds flower after a specific phase of the development period. In other words, they grow automatically (hence their name, “auto-flowering”) when they reach the right size.

Autoflowering cannabis plants tend to be smaller than other cannabis plants, especially in comparison to Sativa strains (Indica tends to be shorter, regardless of whether they’re auto-flowering or photoperiod flowering). Compared to regular photoperiod flowering feminized cannabis, auto-flowering strains are better able to fend off mold and pests. Read more details and benefits (along with some potential challenges) to growing auto-flowering seeds below.

 

Planning for Your Garden 

Autoflowering seeds are a great idea because they grow faster than regular seeds. They're also preferred by many marijuana growers because they are easy to grow. 

How fast a specific auto-flowering strain takes to reach harvest can depend on the type of strain. However, it generally takes 8-10 weeks for most strains. Some strains require up to 12 weeks.

The fact that autoflowers can grow so fast means they spend less time fighting off pests and viruses. On top of that, many auto-flowering strains are bred with strong genetics to fight off these risks. The end results are plants that are incredibly easy to grow, even if you plan on growing autoflowers outdoors.

The downside to an auto flower grow is that the yields will not be as large as traditional seeds. However, a smaller yield on something you are nearly guaranteed to be successful at is better than no yield from something a bit harder to grow. If it's your first time growing these quick-growing seeds, try using an auto flower grow journal to document your journey. This way, there's a record of your work, and you can improve upon it in the future.

In general, the best soil for autoflowers will have these key ingredients:

Light and well-aerated soil

Autoflowering cannabis needs a growing medium that is light and airy. This allows the roots to penetrate the ground easily and not struggle to get the nutrients that it needs. Heavy soils make it difficult for roots and water to penetrate the ground, making it difficult for autoflowers to grow.

Nutrients

Soilless mixes such as coco coir have no natural nutrients, so you always have to add nutrients to these. However, when using soil, this is not the case. Simply start with a mixture that already has what you need. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be easier said than done. Most soil will have some nutrients, but they may not be what you need. The best soil will have all the essential autoflower nutrients: Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorous.

pH

Neutral soil pH is at 7. If the pH is below 7, that means the growing medium is acidic. If it is above 7, that means the soil is alkaline. Autoflowering cannabis plants thrive in a little acidic soil, so keep your soil pH ranges between 6.2 and 6.5.

You could, of course, experiment with making your own soil. If so, you’d only need peat moss, some compost, perlite, and vermiculite mixed in a 3:3:2:1 ratio. However, the easiest option would be purchasing a Pot for Pot’s Superb Soil, which is specifically designed to be the best soil for autoflowers.

 

Growing Autoflowering Plants

We think they are some of the most fun plants to grow because they are fast and manageable. They are a great gateway to growing your own at a low price if you are new to growing. And funny enough, if you’re an old green thumb, you most likely have never grown one before. Autoflowering plants are consistently grown from seed because you cannot make a clone from an auto-flowering plant due to the fact they start to flower from the get-go, and cloning them won't restart their timer.

Because they evolved in such a harsh environment, these plants grow well outside and indoors. They do not need a specific light cycle when planting indoors, which makes growing them super easy. If you are not putting them into a dedicated growing environment, they will need a sunny window or a bright supplemental lighting source. These plants are light hungry, so the more light, the better. It still needs its beauty sleep, though. Try to let it rest for at least 4 hours of darkness so the plant can do its nightly functions. But she’ll still grow successfully under 24-hour lighting. We will cover lighting with more depth in a later blog post.

When growing outdoors, you can plant around mid-April, as soon as your seedling has hardened off. Hardening off is when the seedling is no longer a seedling and has developed a couple of sets of true leaves. Because Ruderalis hails from northern latitudes, it does better with the cold than regular cannabis; thus, you can get multiple harvests in one outdoor growing season.

Because of their short life cycle, it is best to only transplant them once, early in their life. These are flowering plants, so the less stress they experience ultimately will result in bigger flowers. Your container size will affect the size of your plant as well, so we recommend a minimum of 2 gallons. They grow great in hydroponics or soil but typically don’t want to be overloaded with nutrients. Since they stay small, so does their appetite.

Related: The Costs of Growing Marijuana

 

Choosing Your Location 

As we said at the beginning, autoflowers can be grown anywhere due to their sturdy and resilient nature. However, if you are wondering if there is a specific climate that all autoflowers prefer, the simple answer is, there is not.

Autoflowering weed is available in a variety of strains. Some are Indica dominant and prefer cooler temperatures, while others have more Sativa genetics and grow best with large amounts of light. What’s different about an autoflower is that it can grow in situations that a photoperiod version cannot. That’s thanks to its rubbish, also known as Ruderalis, background. Therefore, do not panic if you are in an extremely cold or warm climate. Find the appropriate strain, then choose the auto-flowering option.

How do autoflowers perform indoors?

Autoflowering cannabis can thrive indoors if you have the proper grow room setup and the right equipment. Keep a close eye on the humidity and temperature at different stages of growth for optimum growth.

If you are using lights, you can stick to a fixed light schedule (18 hours of light and 6 hours of dark) from seed to harvest. Autoflowers are ideal for growing indoors because they are short, and the space is limited. Also, within ten weeks, your plants are ready for harvest. In terms of autoflower yield, you will have better results growing your plants outside, but for the amount of cost in effort, it’s still worth it. 

How do autoflowers perform outdoors?

You can grow autoflowers anywhere, but you will get the best results if you grow them outdoors. The only consideration you’ll need to make is the amount of sunlight your plants receive. Autoflowering plants should have at least 12 hours of light daily. However, it is even better if they can get about 16 hours, as this will promote optimum growth.

This is when you should be paying attention to the strain. If you reside along the Equator, select a strain that thrives in tropical climates. On the other hand, if where you live has colder temperatures, select strains that are best suited for those temperatures. Regardless of the climate, you want to make sure your plants are exposed to a minimum of 12 hours of light if you want them to produce something worthwhile.

In general, auto-flowering weed thrives in tropical climates. This is because the plants are exposed to more than 12 hours of light, which promotes optimum growth. In a tropical climate, you can have several (about four) harvests in a year because of the plant’s short lifecycle. In this type of climate, you can also grow auto-flowering marijuana plants year-round. The biggest consideration is excess heat. If the temperatures rise to above 80°F, you may want to invest in some shade so that your plants don’t burn or suffer from heat stress.

In cold climates, you won’t be able to grow year-round, but you can grow outdoors during the summer, as long as you ensure a minimum of 12 hours of light and protect your plants from frost.

 

Autoflowers and Lighting 

A cannabis plant in the sunlight

 

Autoflowering seeds do not need a change in their light cycles like regular marijuana seeds.  Now, that doesn't mean auto-flowering marijuana plants don't need light. However, it does mean that they will continue to grow whether or not the light source is ideal.  If you want to make it better for your plant, you can provide as much light as you wish. You could even buy marijuana grow lights and shine them on your plants all day long – but you don't have to.

That is the point.

This characteristic makes growing autoflowers outdoors perfect when you take advantage of mother nature's natural light source. Whereas most plants can only grow during a specific season, autoflowers can successfully pull off two to three seasons instead of one. As long as you germinate your seeds by the beginning of spring, protect your plants from extreme temperatures (the 90s and above), and the humidity stays between 70 and 90%, you can enjoy a very long outdoor growing season.

 

How to Grow Autoflower Plants

Use this step-by-step auto flower grow guide to go from seed to harvest.

Week 1: Germination 

It usually takes three days for autoflowers to germinate. This process is when the seeds come alive. Then, the root travels into the soil and leaves sprout above ground.

To start germinating your seeds, you will need the proper soil mixture. In general, autoflowers will need fewer nutrients than regular seeds; still, they will need rich potting soil to help support their rapid growth.

A typical do-it-yourself potting soil recipe includes compost, perlite, and peat moss, and perhaps a tiny amount of vermiculture. The easiest option, however, is starting with A Pot for Pot's Complete Kit. It includes our Seedling Pot and Pellet, which is perfect for germinating auto flower seeds.  

Once your seeds have sprouted, you'll need to transplant them into their potting soil. If you aren't using A Pot for Pot, you will need to carefully remove your seedling from its current home and place it in another. This process, unfortunately, can lead to shock. With a separate seedling system, such as the Seedling Starter Kit, this risk is reduced.

Week 2:  Late seedling phase

At this point, your seedling has begun creating energy from its light source. If you are growing indoors, you'll want to use LED lights to give your auto-flowering plant some light. Choose LEDs – they save energy and direct less heat. Plus, they are affordable. You'll only need a single light to grow a large plant in an indoor autoflower grow setup.

You don't need to use an LED light if you're growing outdoors, although you can. Our Light for Pot can convert nearly any space into a suitable spot for growing autoflowers indoors.  

Week 3-4: Vegetation is flourishing

Yay, your plant has reached the vegetative stage. That means you should be focusing on creating the best environment. This is when you'd add the reinforcements. But, wait, you don't have that? If you started with the Complete Kit, you would.

This week is when the important stuff starts to happen. The fan leaves are sprouting, enhancing the photosynthesis process, and increasing your plant's ability to create potent flowers. You should focus on keeping your plant watered (but not too watered!), maintaining a constant temperature, and making sure it has light (if growing indoors). Trust us; this is not the time to be figuring out fertilizers.

If you are growing autoflowers indoors, this is also the time for starting low-stress training if you're into that sort of thing. Training is helpful; however, it can also be risky and should only be done during the early part of the vegetative stage.  Training helps to form buds receive the most energy from their light source – and that is a good thing.

Related: The Cheapest Way to Grow Pot Indoors

Week 5-6: Flowering 

In week 5, small, 'hairy' sacs start to form on the nodes. These will become sticky buds. 

As the flowering stage proceeds, you'll want to continue lowering the humidity if you are growing indoors yet keep your plants well-watered. It is very easy to develop mold during the flowering stage, and that can ruin all of your hard work. That's why you need to pay attention to the amount of water in the air and soil. Using a watering can help you keep track of how much you are giving your plants. We include one in our Complete Kits. 

Week 7-8:  Monitor and prepare

We're almost done! See how easy an autoflower can grow? In week 7, you're going to focus on maintaining the environment. If you have your plants outside, make sure it's not too hot or wet. If they are inside, check the humidity.  You should be near 40% humidity instead of the 70% you started with during the vegetative period.

You also want to look at the soil. Use a magnifying glass to identify any pests. Look at the leaves for signs of nutrient deficiency. If you'd like to be precise, you can use the Smartphone Camera Lenses included with A Pot for Pot's grow kits.

If you used any nutrients, you'd want to start the process of flushing on week 8. This means you stop giving your plants anything other than water. You don't want any of that stuff in your final harvest. Flood the plant's soil so that any excess chemicals are cleared before the plant can eat any more of them. This will prevent those chemicals from remaining in the plant when it's time to harvest. Repeat the flooding process multiple times for up to two weeks, but don’t overdo it.  Allow your pot to dry out between flushings.

Finally, it's time to do a little trimming. Find some trimmers and remove the small fan leaves from the bottom nodes. You can also cut off any fan leaves near the top that doesn't look that great. This process will help your plant get more light and reduce the chance of mold developing.

Week 9: It is almost harvest time

You have finally reached the point where your time and energy are about to reap good results. However, you must maintain the perfect conditions before you officially get there, so your plant remains infestation-free.

Continue following the lighting, temperature, humidity, and watering guidelines that you've been following since the beginning of week 7. The fan leaves might look rust-colored or otherwise discolored; this is perfectly normal.

Week 10-12: Harvest time!

You've reached the best part of this autoflower grow guide – the end. Depending on your specific strain, you may be ready for harvest anywhere from 10-12 weeks. You'll know it's time when most of the trichomes are whitish, and the pistils are brownish-red.

Keep in mind regardless of how much you trained your plant, some buds automatically position closer to the light, and as a result, will finish ripening first.

Especially when growing autoflowers indoors, your results can vary depending on the strain and the quality of the seeds. If your plant seems to progress slower or faster than others, don't let it bother you. Come harvest time; you may find that you were worrying about nothing.

Related: Growing Marijuana: Step-by-Step Guide

Growing auto-flowering marijuana plants is already easy, but it's even more so with A Pot for Pot. We don't just provide the best pot; we also offer the best soil, nutrients, and tools for maintaining your marijuana garden. And we provide step-by-step instructions in our Complete Grow Guide, and ongoing online grow support. So if you want it easy and fast, growing autoflowers indoors in soil (or outdoors, weather permitting) with a Pot for Pot is hands-down the simplest way to go about it.

A cannabis plant

 

Growing autoflowers during winter

Autoflowering marijuana plants can grow in any climate; however, the plant will struggle in extreme temperatures, such as extreme heat and cold. However, an autoflower can survive most of these situations due to their hardy genetics. This includes growing during winter.

If your winters are mild, you should be able to grow autoflowers outside. Generally, marijuana plants do well in temperatures as low as 60 degrees. As long as there is enough light, even if it is a weak source of light, the plant will produce for a minimum of 12 hours. If this environment is not doable, or your winters are not mild, you can grow your plant inside with a stable light source.

 

Harvesting Cannabis in Humid Areas

In general, harvesting is pretty easy. However, if you live in a particularly humid climate, you may need to take a few extra precautions. Mold can severely impact your harvest and make it unusable. That’s why you need to dry your cannabis as soon as you harvest it. 

Before you get started, make sure you have all the equipment needed ready. You are going to need:

  • Mason jars
  • Drying rack
  • Hygrometer
  • Humidpacks
  • Dehumidifier 
  • Heater
  • Fan or AC

Drying begins immediately after harvesting. If you leave your harvest sitting around to rest (especially if you’re somewhere humid), your plants might attract bacteria and fungi.

Here’s how you should dry weed in a humid climate:

  1. Set up a drying room in a barn or garage. Install a dehumidifier, some heaters, and a fan.  
  2. Cut the whole plant and hang it to dry or cut piece by piece, branches, leaves, and buds. You can also lay them on a drying rack.
  3. Now it’s time to trim if you haven't already. If you cut everything up before you dried it, that is considered wet trimming. If you dry the whole plant first and then trim, that is called dry trimming. Either way, when you trim, you are removing the unnecessary parts of the plant. Remove larger fan leaves to expose those cannabinoid-rich flowers.  
  4. Slow dry your weed by maintaining a temperature of around 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the humidity between 50-60%. Do not try drying your cannabis in an oven or microwave unless you want to ruin the flavor. 
  5. Keep checking on your drying marijuana regularly until it feels dry to the touch. You can also confirm by checking that the stem is snapping instead of bending. It takes about 3-7 days for the flowers to dry thoroughly.
  6. Once your cannabis is thoroughly dry, cure it for long-term storage

If you are looking to grow marijuana in the easiest and fastest way possible, autoflowers are the ideal choice. If you are a new grower or want to grow outdoors in less than perfect conditions, autoflowers are an excellent choice. Autoflowering cannabis grows practically anywhere, so even if you are in a less than ideal climate, there is a strain that will thrive in your area. If not, you can always grow them indoors.

As long as you focus on how to grow auto-flowering seeds correctly and then take the time to dry and cure them, you’re likely to end up with a harvest that you’ll love. Growing autoflowers is quick and nearly foolproof. The only way it can get any easier is if you start with a Pot for Pot..

💰 Save Money –
Grow your Own 🌱

Our complete grow kits include everything you need to go from seed to your very own supply of high grade medical cannabis.

aPotForPot Complete Grow Kit Unboxing

 

The Pros of Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds

Faster Flowering and Harvest

Autoflowering cannabis plants grow quickly and flower a lot faster than their photoperiod counterparts do. For example, some autoflowers can flower in as little as three weeks to 30 days after the seed is planted, while many photoperiod varieties take months before they transition into the flowering stage from the vegetative growth phase. If you want the fastest harvest, auto-flowering varieties are your surest bet.

Related: Harvesting and Drying

The Plants are Small and Compact

One of the biggest pros (out of many pros and cons of auto-flowering seeds) is their small size. Because of their Cannabis Ruderalis heritage, auto-flowering marijuana plants tend to be smaller and more compact when compared to the ordinary Sativa, Indica, and hybrids of these two.

This smaller size makes auto-flowering cannabis plants suitable for growing in confined spaces, such as a closet or on your balcony. Their compact size also makes it easier to look after. It’s simple – if your plant grows past six feet and you can’t see the top of it, it will be harder to manage. Autos, however, rarely exceed four feet, so it is easy to trim, train, or otherwise care for them during the different stages of their growth.

No Change to the Light Cycle

Autoflowering cannabis seeds combine the genetics of Sativa, Indica (or hybrids of them) with Cannabis Ruderalis.Cannabis Ruderalis is a variety very few people know about because it is naturally smaller, with smaller buds that produce very little to no THC.

Older strains of Cannabis Ruderalis had few desirable qualities, such as an ability to grow very fast. This is because it is native to Siberia, where the growing season is shorter and daylight hours are fewer. As a result, Ruderalis, outside of its original growing zone, adapted to maturing quickly and switching to the flowering stage regardless of how many hours of sunlight it is receiving.

Autoflowering cannabis seeds exhibit this attribute. They switch into a flowering mode as a result of their genetic programming rather than environmental factors, such as the amount of light they are receiving each day. Therefore, you don’t have to bother changing to a 12/12 light cycle to induce the flowering phase in auto-flowering marijuana plants. Autoflowering strains require less maintenance, making them easier to grow.

Related: A Pot for Pot Grow Lights

They Are More Resistant

Another key benefit of auto-flowering marijuana plants is an easy growing experience due to their Ruderalis heritage. Because of their fast adaptation, as detailed above, these plants are hardy and resistant to several adverse conditions. Ordinary cannabis plants can easily succumb to many diseases and pests, but auto-flowering plants will stand up to such a threat and survive. Similarly, auto-flowering strains are also resistant to mold, overfeeding, and underfeeding, while regular photoperiod varieties will be adversely affected by these conditions.

If you live in an area where the climate can change rather quickly, or you aren’t too particular about maintaining the ideal growing conditions for cannabis, then opt for auto-flowering strains since these are more forgiving when conditions aren’t exactly right.

Related: How to Grow Autoflowers Outside

Discretion

Let’s face it. While legalization has made growing cannabis easier, not everyone is pro-pot. Even in legalized areas, you still need to practice discretion. Autoflowering seeds are the best way to achieve this.

With auto-flowering seeds, you can grow compact cannabis plants in an inconspicuous part of your property without anyone asking what you are growing. Plus, their rapid growth makes it even less likely for visitors to notice them. Regular cannabis plants take a lot longer to reach full maturity, which only increases the chance that people will notice your plants. Since some auto-flowering cannabis strains can mature in as few as 8 or 9 weeks, the amount of time that it takes to reach harvest is a definite pro on the pros and cons of auto-flowering seeds list.

Less Space Needed

Whether you are a large-scale commercial grower or a hobbyist, you can benefit from the space economy that auto-flowering cannabis varieties provide. Since these plants are small, practically anyone can grow their own cannabis plants.

For example, you can grow auto-flowering plants on your balcony if you live in an apartment block. Heck, these plants can even feel at home inside a small closett!

Faster Flowering Times

Autoflowering seeds tend to grow more quickly than Indica and Sativa strains, with some strains ready for harvest in as few as two months.

It usually takes 30 days, or about a month, for auto-flowering seeds to reach the flowering phase. During these first 30 days, make sure to make small lighting adjustments to avoid scorching the leaves. You should also ensure proper soil aeration so that your cannabis flowers on time. To do this, you can use our Coco Bricks. They come in our Complete Grow Kit and help aerate the soil and regulate moisture.

After you see pistils, you’ll only have to wait for another 45 to 60 days before the bloom cycle is complete and your plants are ready to be harvested.

Multiple Harvests Each Year

Autoflowering plants don’t rely on the amount of light available each day to enter the flowering stage. This independence means you can harvest outdoor-grown mature buds several times a year. How do you do it?

One way is to stagger your plants. Start a couple of plants a month or two before the rest. That way, you can harvest some plants while others are nearing maturity, and the harvest cycle continues.

You could also start a few plants at the beginning of your outdoor growing season and then plant a few more once the first few plants have finished. Because they grow so fast, there is plenty of time.

Many Autoflowering Plants Have CBD

Research into the medicinal value of marijuana is still ongoing, but we, so far, know a lot about the therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol (CBD). It is actually one of the most abundant cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.

The Ruderalis genetics in auto-flowering cannabis seeds lead to plants that are relatively lower in THC content and higher in CBD. This means that those looking to enjoy the medicinal benefits of cannabis can easily obtain it from these easy-to-grow plants. 

However, if you are mostly interested in the high that cannabis can provide, autoflowers are still a good choice since many varieties offer high THC content (in addition to CBD).

Suitable for Beginners

People who are just starting out on the exciting journey of growing their own cannabis would be well advised to opt for auto-flowering cannabis seeds. They are easier and less demanding to grow than regular photoperiod strains.

For example, with regular strains, you need to monitor and change the light cycle so that the plants have 12 hours of darkness each day while in the flowering stage. Any light finding its way to the plants can make them halt their flowering and yield poor-quality buds. Light can also cause the plant to re-enter the vegetative phase and stay there for an indefinite duration.

Autoflowering strains are ideal for beginners because you don’t have to worry about lighting. They also grow much faster, leading to even faster rewards.

City Environments Don’t Affect Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds

People who grow regular photoperiod cannabis plants have to go to great lengths to exclude light from their grow facilities, and this task can sometimes seem near impossible. This is because the city or urban environments have artificial light that can “confuse” photoperiod plants into “thinking” that daylight hours are still more than the hours of darkness. The ambient light, therefore, tends to lower the quality and quantity of buds harvested from photoperiod cannabis strains.

However, auto-flowering cannabis plants remain unaffected by the ambient light in cities or the light which leaks into a grow facility when the tent tears or the grow facility gets damaged in any other way. The plants will, therefore, reach their full potential as long as you keep other necessary settings in order.

Close-up of cannabis buds

 

The Cons of Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds

Lower Yields

Autoflowering cannabis plants are sometimes called dwarf plants due to their typically smaller size when compared to ordinary marijuana plants. While this smaller size comes with some benefits, as discussed earlier, those growing auto-flowering plants should be content with a lower yield since a small plant cannot sustain bigger, dense buds.

This lower yield can be an issue for the commercial grower who wants to maximize the returns earned from each plant. However, for a home grower, the yield produced from an auto-flowering plant is often more than enough. If it is not, it’s just as easy to grow multiple plants or choose auto-flowering cannabis seeds with higher than normal yields.

While lower yields might be a turn-off to some growers, the plus side is that auto-flowering cannabis plants are easier to grow indoors. Autoflowering seeds are good for at-home growers who don’t need to grow massive volumes and growers who live in compact spaces.

Lower THC Content

Ruderalis plants provide many of the desirable traits of auto-flowering plants, but they also produce one noticeably undesirable one. The buds of auto-flowering plants tend to be less potent in terms of their THC content. THC is responsible for giving marijuana users a “high,” so lower THC concentrations in a plant mean that you will not get as high as someone who has used buds from a plant with a higher THC content.

However, don’t let this dampen your zeal for auto-flowering cannabis plants. You can purchase auto-flowering cannabis seeds with higher levels of THC if you want a bigger kick from your plants.

Related: How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Your System and How to Get It Out Faster

Vulnerability to Grower Errors

The rapid growth rate of auto-flowering seeds is one of its major attractions, but this growth rate can be a double-edged sword. Faster growth can mean bigger problems if you make a mistake and the plant doesn’t have enough time to recover.

This is most noticeable when training your plants. There are two ways to train your plants. One way is low-stress training (LST). That’s when you’d bend the plant’s branches while they are still soft and pliable. The other training method is called super cropping. This method is very stressful to the plant since it is done when the branches have become harder, so they take longer to recover from this training exercise.

High-stress training methods, such as super cropping, are not a good idea for auto-flowering plants since they grow so fast. Remember, the clock is ticking on your plan’s lifespan, and any mistake made can lower the yield. Whereas training methods are designed to increase a plant’s yield, if done incorrectly on an auto-flowering plant, they will more than likely harm it.

You Can’t Clone Autoflowering Cannabis Plants

Sometimes you fall in love with a specific plant. Many times, a certain attribute (yield potential, for example) is so desirable that you’d like to reproduce it in future plants. This is doable through the process of cloning.

For photoperiod marijuana varieties, cloning is simple. You simply cut a small piece of the plant, and that cutting will yield another plant with the exact attributes of the mother plant. For auto-flowering varieties, this, unfortunately, does not work. You can only grow these types of plants from seed. 

You should also note, however, that growing from clones is not the same as growing from seed. Although cloned plants will have the same attributes as their mother plant, they are also not as hardy as seed plants and are more susceptible to errors during the growing process. 

Loss of Control

Agriculture has grown into science where professional cultivators can enjoy varying levels of control over their crops. In grow labs around the world, cultivators play with ways to delay the flowering phase of their photoperiod marijuana varieties. They do this to create bigger plants that subsequently yield a more abundant harvest.

Such control isn’t possible for growers of auto-flowering cannabis plants since these varieties change states (from vegetative growth to flowering) based on their age rather than on external environmental conditions. Purists who want some control over the growth process may therefore shy away from auto-flowering cannabis seeds.

Costs

Since auto-flowering seeds need more light, they can be slightly more costly if you’re just looking at your electricity bill. That said, auto-flowering seeds also require fewer nutrients during the vegetative cycle. As a result, the costs end up evening out. For more information on growing weed cheap, check out our article.

As you can see, there are many pros and cons of auto-flowering seeds, and you need to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks so that you make an informed decision. A Pot for Pot always recommends auto-flowering seeds for home growers because they are cheaper to grow, easy to maintain, and provide a good blend of THC and CBD. With just a little light, the right soil, water, and some love, you

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you maximize autoflower yield?

Make sure you avoid three things.

  • Avoid Over Watering
  • Avoid Re-Potting
  • Avoid Topping & Filming

What soil should I use for autoflowering seeds?

Potting mix is ideal for autoflowering seeds. Primary ingredients should include decomposed moss and compost.

What size pots should I use for Autoflowers?

Perfect pot size for auto flower plants should be 1,5 to 2,5 gallons (5,6 to 9,4 liters)

What are the top 5 autoflowering strains for cold climates?

Here are 5 autoflowering strains for cold climates: Sweet skunk auto, Royal cookies auto, Royal critical auto, Purple queen auto, Northern light auto

What are the top 5 autoflowering strains for warm climates?

Here are 5 autoflowering strains for warm climates: White widow auto, Diesel auto, Stress killer auto, Royal critical auto, Royal jack auto

Will humidity affect growth of autoflowering cannabis?

Usually, cannabis plants hate high humidity, hence if you are trying to grow autoflowering plants indoors you must maintain optimum humidity

What is the best outdoor Autoflowering strain?

Here is a list of top 5 outdoor Autoflowering strains: Pineapple Express Auto, Diesel Auto, White Russian Auto, Super Silver Haze Auto, and Caramel Auto.

How do you get big yields from Autoflowers?

Avoid re-potting your autos. Instead, grow them straight in their final container. Give them plenty of light, and avoid over watering.

How much do Autoflowers yield outdoors?

High yielding autoflower seeds can yield up to 5-7 ounces, and average yield can be expected around 1.5-2.5 ounces.

A beautiful cannabis plant

Have more questions? Reach out to us at help@apotforpot.com! Enjoy your grow, and check out our grow kits if you're ready to get started.
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