Pros and cons of autoflowering seeds

Added on 17 December 2020

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The variety of strains available on the market has increased tremendously in recent times. Most growers seem to show interest in the newly emerging Autoflowers. Autoflowering genetics are a boon to many newbie cannabis growers because they offer faster returns and are easy to grow. One of the main USP of the auto-flowering seeds is that you can find various options such as high THC seeds, high CBD seeds, and seeds that strike the perfect balance between both. That said, auto-flowering seeds come with their own set of disadvantages as well. Let's look at some of the pros and cons of auto-flowering seeds in this article.

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Autoflowering seeds

For canna lovers who buy weed online canada not familiar with the auto-flowering seeds, they originate from the species Cannabis Ruderalis and can flower faster than other cannabis strains. Autoflowers are a combination of the Ruderalis, Sativa, and Indica genetics that produce super-potent plants and bloom within a time-frame of eight to ten weeks. Mostly grown in the climate of eastern Europe and Central Asia, it is now possible to cultivate this strain in Canada and the USA.

Pros

1. Faster life cycle

The first and foremost benefit of auto-flowering seeds is their ability to flower and grow faster. The time taken by the auto-flowering strains to grow entirely is almost the same as the flowering time taken by many photoperiod strains. Typically, auto-flowering strains take up to seven to ten weeks to grow. That unique trait enables growers to breed any photoperiod strain with the strains of ruderalis genetics to achieve the desired variety quickly. For instance, haze genetics are known for their exceptional Sativa effects but take a longer time to grow, which may let down many growers, especially the newbies. By combining the ruderalis and haze genetics, you can achieve the high Sativa effects within a short duration.

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2. Perfect for discreet growing

Here's another benefit of the auto-flowering seeds that many growers admire. The height of the auto-flowering plants usually ranges from sixty to a hundred cms. Plants with auto-flowering seeds are also known as 'dwarfs.' Which enables you to grow them easily in balconies or hidden locations in the garden. Many guerilla growers that grow plants in wild or public locations hidden from people benefit from this unique trait of the auto-flowering seeds. The faster-growing speed and the compact size of the auto-flowering cannabis plants help cultivators set up and dismantle the growing operations easily and quickly. All in all, auto-flowering seeds are a perfect option for discreet growing if that's what you're looking for.

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3. Higher CBD percentage

Autoflowers usually offer a higher percentage of CBD (Cannabidiol) compared to other photoperiod strains. That said, some people prefer higher THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) levels in cannabis, while others prefer high CBD percentage cannabis or a strain that strikes the perfect balance between the THC and CBD levels. However, cannabis with a higher CBD percentage tends to offer several benefits. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD, present in cannabis, creates a pleasant effect when consumed without making the user 'high'. Cannabis with higher CBD levels offers astonishing medical benefits. Cultivators can benefit from this trait of the auto-flowering seeds, especially in the states where marijuana is legal only for medicinal purposes. It is possible to boost the CBD levels of many legendary varieties by breeding them with the cannabis ruderalis genetics.

Cons

1. Lower yield

The faster growth rate and the compact size of the plants come with a huge drawback, i.e., smaller harvests. The compact structure and size of the plants mean fewer bud sites compared to the large photoperiod plants. Some of the traditional photoperiod Sativa plants grow up to the size of a tree as well. The maximum height of the auto-flowering plants is up to 1m, which results in fewer buds from their canopies. Also, the short flowering span of the auto-flowering strains restricts the number of buds the plant can grow. On the other hand, the photoperiod strains may take longer to flower and grow, but they can develop into productive specimens.

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2. No time for recovery

The fast-growing nature of the auto-flowering strains helps growers in many ways but makes it highly risky for the growers to experiment. With photoperiod strains, growers have plenty of room to train, defoliate, and prune them. Even in case of any errors, they can leave the plant in the vegetative mode until it completely recovers. That is not the case when it comes to auto-flowering strains. There is little to no room for recovery if any errors such as cutting too deep, damaging a bud or a branch, etc. Therefore, accuracy and precision are essential when you manage and train the auto-flowering strain cannabis plants.

Final Thoughts

The quality of the auto-flowering seeds has changed tremendously in recent times and seems to improve in the coming days. As a beginner, it is better to experiment with various seeds and enjoy the cultivating process. Apart from being fast-growing and compact, auto-flowering cannabis plants are also highly resilient to illness, pests, and other diseases. So, if the auto-flowering plants' traits coincide with your requirement, then go for it.

By Rebecca Siggers

Reference Articles

https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-the-pros-and-cons-of-autoflowering-cannabis-strains-n557

https://www.ganjapreneur.com/autoflowering-seeds-the-great-way-to-kick-off-your-2021-season/

https://www.reddit.com/r/HerbGrow/comments/2l5q66/pros_and_cons_of_autoflowering_strains/

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