Autoflowering strains of cannabis have become widely popular among both indoor and outdoor growers over the past few decades. They’re perfect for beginners and experts alike. Whether growers are planning their first crops or want to switch over to autoflowers from photoperiod seeds, this article will offer a concise introduction to the guidelines everyone needs to know.
What Are Autoflowering Seeds?
Before getting into the weeds of autoflower growing best practices or even where to buy affordable autoflowering seeds, it’s worth discussing what they are and where they came from. Autoflowering cannabis plants move from veg into bud after a certain amount of time has passed since germination. Photoperiod plants only move into the flowering stage when the light conditions are right, but for photoperiod plants, the light levels are almost irrelevant.
Autoflowering plants are also very hardy and have shorter growing seasons than their photoperiod cousins. All of these traits were bred into the lines using the genetics of the cannabis ruderalis plant. By itself, cannabis ruderalis contains next to no THC. However, when they are cross-bred with the indicas, sativas, and hybrids that modern cannabis enthusiasts have come to know and love, the resulting plants offer the best of both worlds.
Why Grow Autoflowers?
One of the great things about growing autoflowering plants is that they are appropriate for just about anywhere, including both outdoor gardens and indoor grow rooms. When grown outdoors, they eliminate problems with short growing seasons that would otherwise make it difficult, if not impossible, for growers in those climates to pull down entire crops. To sweeten the deal, autoflowering plants tend to be hardier than photoperiod alternatives.
The same beneficial traits also make it easier, and often more rewarding, to grow autoflowering plants indoors. The short growing season means it’s possible for indoor growers with climate control to harvest crops as often as every eight weeks, making it easier for commercial growers to predict cash flow and recreational growers to maintain a constant supply for themselves and their friends. Plus, there’s no need for novice growers to worry too much about light cycles since autoflowering plants will bloom regardless of light levels.
Maximizing Crop Yields
The downside of autoflowers is that they are smaller than photoperiod plants. For some growers, though, that drawback can be turned into an advantage. Indoor growers often find that because of the plants’ smaller size, they can fit more of them into less space. Outdoor growers have an easier time maintaining discretion and keeping their plants away from prying eyes.
Because of their short growing season, autoflowering plants don’t do well when subjected to high-stress training techniques. The best way to maximize growth is to get back to the basics and make sure the plants are getting enough of the nutrients they need and plenty of water to support healthy growth. Paying attention to seed quality is also of the utmost importance since healthy plants that produce large crops only come from high-quality seeds.
Get Growing Today
Experimenting with autoflowering plants is fun and easy. Since they don’t care about light levels, even growers that are currently focusing on photoperiod strains can throw in a few of these unique plants without worrying about adding extra light-sealed spaces to their grow rooms. There’s no reason not to give autoflowers a try.
