If you have ever researched the best commercially available cannabis seeds, then you’re aware that the options are numerous, with breeders offering feminized and autoflowering seeds. Feminized seeds are known to produce female-only plants, which are believed to be high-yielding, potent, and THC-rich, all of which are traits attractive to farmers. However, autoflowering seeds are also growing in demand due to their ease of cultivation and short production timelines.
Even though autoflowering cannabis seeds have gotten much attention and good reviews in the past few years, many cultivators still don’t use them, primarily due to a lack of proper information. To help you choose whether to try autoflowering seeds for your next run, we’ve compiled some information on autoflowering cannabis seeds for you.
What Are Autoflowering Seeds?
Autoflowering seeds produce crops that start flowering when the plant reaches a particular growth stage. Unlike photoperiod (also known as light-dependent) strains, autoflowering cannabis (or light-neutral) cultivars automatically transition from the vegetative phase to the flowering stage according to age, regardless of the light cycle.
Many autoflowering cultivars mature in less than ten weeks from seed to harvest and produce relatively good yields. This feature is absent in photoperiod strains, whose flowering only occurs after the summer solstice. Photoperiod flowering plants require at least two weeks of extensive dark periods before blooming. As the red wavelengths of sunlight become increasingly plentiful in late summer and early autumn, they benefit the photoperiod weed plants. This red light contains the plant’s energy to grow intricate blooms. Blue light wavelengths are more prevalent in the springtime, which photoperiod plants require to thrive during vegetative growth.
How Do Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds Work?
As previously stated, photoperiod plants only begin to flower under specific lighting circumstances. They bloom during a specified photoperiod, determined by the number of hours of sunlight vs. the overall duration of darkness. Most indoor ganja farmers use a rigorous 12/12 light schedule to force photoperiod plants to flower early. That means 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of pure darkness.
Autoflowering seeds behave uniquely. Breeders have created strains that automatically start to flower when the plant reaches a particular growth phase. As a result, most autoflowering plants are ready to harvest in less than ten weeks, with flowering usually beginning in two to four weeks from germination.
Benefits of Autoflowering Seeds
Let us highlight some of the advantages of cannabis autoflowering seeds:
- Shorter life cycle. Autoflowering cultivars usually mature for seven to 10 weeks. This unique characteristic allows weed farmers to rapidly achieve the desired variety by breeding any photoperiod strain with ruderalis genetics strains.
- Ideal for covert growing. Autoflowering plants typically grow to a height of 60-100 centimeters. This allows you to grow them on balconies or in concealed areas. Many rebellious gardeners who cultivate weed outdoors or in public places hidden from prying eyes benefit from the distinct characteristic of the autoflowering seeds. Besides, their quicker growth rate and compact dimensions make it easier for farmers to set up and disassemble growing operations.
- Higher CBD percentage. Compared to most photoperiod strains, autoflowers typically have a higher rate of CBD. This property of auto-flowering seeds is advantageous to growers, particularly in jurisdictions where cannabis is only permitted for medical purposes.
- Weather and disease tolerance. Autoflowering variants are noted for withstanding colder conditions and having stronger resistance to illnesses of all kinds. If you have problems with mildew, bugs, mold, fungi, or infections, try growing an autoflowering variety the next time. You may spare yourself a lot of effort and frustration.
- Flexible light schedule. Flowering independent of the light cycle gives autoflowers their name and represents their most crucial characteristic. You don’t have to worry about changing your light schedule to 12/12 at the appropriate moment to compel plants to bloom.
The Best High-Yielding Autoflower Cannabis Seeds
It would only be right to discuss autoflowering seeds if you mentioned some of this category’s best commercially available seeds. Although autoflowering seeds are said to produce less harvest than regular and photoperiodic seeds, there are a few that have an impressive yield. Here are our top three picks for the most high-yielding autoflowering cannabis seeds.
#1 Gold Leaf
One of the most incredible ways to take advantage of all the effects that marijuana has to offer is using Gold Leaf Seeds https://askgrowers.com/seeds/gold-leaf-seeds-autoflower. A single toke of this strain can produce pronounced cerebral effects and deliver potent relief and mood improvement. Gold Leaf autoflower produces some of the hardiest plants available. Even as an autoflower, this crop is resistant to mold, mildew, and pests.
Each nug from your auto Gold Leaf seeds has a distinct shade of green that is practically concealed below thousands of bright yellow pistils. A closer examination shows moderate brownish hues that create a striking contrast, enhancing the colors’ vibrancy. Combining this visual feast with a fine covering of trichomes gives you a plant that will look stunning when it matures.
The dried buds come with an intense blend of essences. When you crack up a nug, you’ll notice a faint, skunky aroma, followed by natural overtones like pinewood, flowers, and musky earth. One sniff displays a refined flavor with traces of diesel, citrus, and spices.
Cultivar Seed Profile:
- THC: 18%
- CBD: 2%
- Genetics: Gold leaf x unknown ruderalis
- Type: Indica dominant hybrid
- Plant Size: 59 – 79 inches (150 – 201 cm)
- Yields: 16 oz – 21 oz (454 – 595 grams)
- Flowering period: 8 – 10 weeks
- Harvest period: All year
- Growing difficulty: Easy
#2 Cereal Milk
California is the birthplace of Cereal Milk, a unique strain and one of the market’s newest cannabis hybrids. Growing Cereal Milk Seeds https://askgrowers.com/seeds/cereal-milk-seeds-autoflower can be difficult for novice farmers unfamiliar with the fundamentals of marijuana cultivation. The strain is a three-way mix between Girl Scout Cookies, Cherry Pie, and Snowman DNA. Cultivators can experience shorter plant growth patterns with autoflower seeds, which have been developed for performance and stability.
This weed can thrive only under specific climatic conditions. As a result, most farmers prefer to cultivate it indoors, where they can precisely maintain the mild, low-humid Mediterranean climate it favors. The plants are resistant to diseases and can withstand mild environmental changes. Mildew and mold can be kept at bay by keeping your cannabis containers dry and clean. These medium-sized plants grow only 3.3-5ft tall, making them an excellent choice for growers with limited grow areas or those seeking a covert cultivar.
Cultivar Seed Profile:
- THC: 18%
- CBD: 1%
- Genetics: Cherry pie, Girl Scout Cookies, and Snowman
- Type: Hybrid
- Plant Size: Medium
- Yields: 13oz – 14oz (350 – 400 grams)
- Flowering period: 8 – 10 weeks
- Harvest period: Mid to late October
- Growing difficulty: Medium
#3 Pink Runtz
Pink Runtz Seeds https://askgrowers.com/seeds/pink-runtz-seeds-autoflower grow into plants that yield 400-500 g/m2 indoors and 120-150 g/plant outdoors, making it a simple cannabis plant for both experienced and inexperienced gardeners. This weed is ready to harvest after 7-9 weeks of flowering. Pink Runtz has an excellent terpene profile and has fruity, cherry, candy, and sour flavors. It also produces intense, euphoric, and relaxing bodily effects. This strain is not for the fainthearted or novice users, as its vast cannabinoid profile ensures long-lasting and robust effects.
Cultivar Seed Profile:
- THC: 18%
- CBD: 1%
- Genetics: Cherry pie, Girl Scout Cookies, and Snowman
- Type: Hybrid
- Plant Size: Medium
- Yields: 13oz – 14oz (350 – 400 grams)
- Flowering period: 8 – 10 weeks
- Harvest period: Mid to late October
- Growing difficulty: Medium
Final Thoughts
Recently, there’s been a dramatic shift in the quality of autoflowering seeds, and this trend appears to continue. If you’re starting ganja farming, it’s best to try out a few different kinds of seeds and discover what grows best in your setup. Autoflowering cannabis plants are not only fast-growing and compact, but they are also very resistant to crop illnesses, pests, and other problems. So, if the characteristics of autoflowering plants match your requirements, go for it.
The material was prepared by Lana Braslavska, a proven expert in cannabis farming and a blogger at AskGrowers. Lana is dedicated to bridging the gap between people and cannabis cultivation by showing how simple and manageable this process can become with simple preparation. Her insightful tips and grower guides can help anyone grow a couple of healthy plants in the backyard.
