Are you thinking about going for autoflowering cannabis for your next cultivation experience? Autoflowers are one of the formulations that are perfect for beginner growers and for experienced growers that would want to consider genetics that will give higher yields in a faster way. To help interested growers in making a smarter decision, here are the pros and cons of autoflowering seeds.
What Are Autoflowering Seeds?
Autoflowering seeds produce cannabis plants that bloom or flowers automatically. They are not dependent on lighting schedules in order for them to produce beautiful buds. They just depend on how time passes. This specific trait was brought into existence through genetic evolutions and the plant having to adapt to colder temperatures and other harsh situations.
Our List of Pros and Cons of Autoflowering Seeds
Pros
Pro #1: Autoflowering seeds do not require 12 hours of light for it to bloom.
Regular cannabis plants follow a photoperiod process. This means that they depend on a certain length of exposure to both the light and darkness. The length of time that they are exposed to darkness will trigger the cannabis plant for it to produce flowers. For photoperiods, they have to be exposed to 12 hours of light so that the plant will be pushed to form its pistils.
This is something that can be hard to maintain because even the littlest of light leaks during this time of darkness has the ability to induce problems in the plant’s growth. Depending on the age of the photoperiod plant, the light leaking into the time where it should be dark can make your plants hermaphroditic. This is also prohibiting you from growing buds, halt the development of buds making them too small, and delaying the formation of flowers.
This is why it would be easier to go autoflowering plants if you are not a fan of monitoring light schedules closely. As soon as the seed germinates, you will be sure that you will begin seeing the plant producing its buds. You can decide on the lighting schedule that you prefer to go with, depending on the strain. There are strains that will still produce flowers even with 24 hours exposure to light. However, most strains usually thrive in 18 hours of lighting and 6 hours of darkness for it to succeed. Even when the plants get exposed to light leaks, there are no significant reported effects to autoflowers.
Pro #2: Autoflowering seeds bloom more quickly compared to other types of strains.
One main reason why autoflowering seeds get noticed by novice growers and other enthusiasts is that they produce buds very quickly. This is apparent especially when you compare them to photoperiod flowers. As they bloom in a specific permanent schedule, their flowers will be ready for harvest within six to seven weeks after you germinated them. Technically, autoflowers can deliver quality cured buds from seed in a very fast eight weeks.
If you are one grower who lives in a cold place where summers are quite short, autoflowers might be the best option for you. If you choose photoperiod strains, they will bloom too late, and they might end up frozen before harvest time arrives. Autoflower seeds can remove this risk entirely – which is amazing, in simple terms, if you think about it.
Pro #3: Autoflowering plants grow into a small height that is perfect for stealth growing.
One common characteristic among growers of autoflowering cannabis plants is that these plants are usually short and stout. Compared to most photoperiod strains, these plants are ideal if you are after stealth growing. Their height just ranges to 30 cm to 120 cm, so they really not call attention, which is important for growers who value privacy.
If you are also a grower who has limited space in their home, autoflowering seeds allow you to make cultivation that you can place in small grow tents, balconies, and closets. If you are an outdoor grower, most autoflowering plants also blend well in the midst of grassy fields, brush piles, and within bushes.
Pro #4: Autoflowering plants are strong, hardy, and resilient.
Another great benefit that you can get from autoflowering plants is that they offer growers with an amazing experience. Because of the amazing Cannabis ruderalis genetics, these autoflowers are excellent in adaptation, and they are more resistant to temperatures, pests, diseases, and other adverse situations. Aside from that, autoflowering strains are also strong against underfeeding, overfeeding, and resistance against mold.
Cons
Con #1: Autoflowers produce a smaller amount of yield compared to photoperiods.
Autoflowering plants owe their genetics to the Cannabis ruderalis. This means that they have a quicker lifespan, with the main focus only on reproducing as fast as possible, no matter what the conditions may be. Because of this, the plant has not existed so much longer than the yield is usually in a lower amount every time.
However, autoflowering strains have evolved over the years that this con is almost becoming a myth. Nowadays, breeders have successfully bred autoflowers that produce considerably high yields – at similar levels as photoperiod strains. Growers can also do something to increase the yield of autoflowers. Learning about plant training techniques will go a long way, as a Sea of Green strategy can improve growth and the amounts of harvest.
Con #2: Autoflowering strains have a weaker potency compared to photoperiods.
In a similar way to how many buds it can produce, autoflowers also have lesser THC contents, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis. But again, the first autoflowers might suffer from this – but nowadays, growers take these claims as a myth. Because of selective breeding and different breeding technology, the new autoflowering strains are more potent. They also taste so much better, smell better, possess beautiful colors, and are overall competitive when you compare them with other types of cannabis strains. Those are some pros and cons of autoflowering seeds.
Final Thoughts
There are many pros and cons of autoflowering seeds. The users and growers themselves should weight them and check on which are deal breakers for them and which advantage is most important for them. Also, remember that the best growing experience lies in the hands of the grower. Make sure to stock up on your knowledge and grow as you go.
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