What are Autoflower Seeds?

If you’ve ever tried to grow cannabis before, you’d know that it’s not an easy task. Cultivating cannabis plants isn’t as straightforward as growing some lettuce or tomatoes. Unfortunately, it requires a lot more care, attention, and strict regulations in order to do it correctly. Thankfully, autoflower cannabis seeds make this whole process a whole lot easier.

In case you aren’t familiar with what autoflower seeds are, or how you grow them properly, we’re here to help. Below, we’re covering the ins and outs of autoflower seeds, how to grow them, how to germinate them, and so much more.

Let’s get started. 

What is Autoflower Seeds?

First things first: what is autoflower seeds?

Autoflower seeds come from autoflowering strains of cannabis. These types of cannabis have the ability to switch from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage without a change in the light cycle itself. 

Typical cannabis plants, also known as photoperiod plants, rely on the manipulation of the light cycle in order to flower, but this is simply not the case with autoflowering cannabis seeds.

This unique behavior is all thanks to the cannabis ruderalis genes that are found within autoflowering strains themselves.

The ruderalis species is traditionally native to places around the globe that have relatively short summers. Because the daylight hours shift so drastically in these regions, the plants have begun to develop the ability to flower based on age — not light exposure.

Having this essentially “automatic” transition out of stages allows for a much easier growth process for cultivators, as they don’t have to worry about manipulating light cycles or waiting for the changes of the seasons to get their cannabis plants to flower. Instead, the plants do it on their own.  

Main Benefits of Autoflowering Cannabis Plants

Autoflowering cannabis plants are some of the most popular, sought-after plants on the market — and this is for various reasons.

Autoflower cannabis plants offer plenty of benefits that appeal to growers of all background types. Primarily, these plants provide a sense of ease that others don’t.

Understanding the light cycle and how it affects your plants is a tricky, delicate process that can take quite a long time to perfect. Unfortunately, this often means going through a bit of trial and error with your plants, too. 

If you don’t want to risk losing any of your precious plants, sticking with autoflowering cannabis plants can help lower that worry. You don’t have to be preoccupied with understanding the best light exposure and when to switch it. Rather, these unique autoflowering seeds do all of that for you. 

Another primary benefit of autoflowering strains is the rapid harvest time. Since the plants don’t rely on the changing of seasons, they have a much shorter flowering time, allowing for growers to cultivate multiple harvests per year. This helps increases overall yields, boosting plant production tenfold.

In general, autoflowering plants tend to grow up to be quite compact, as well. While this isn’t necessarily ideal for outdoor growing, it’s great for those wanting to grow some high-quality plants indoors. These compact plants aren’t going to take up too much space or light when growing.  

What is the Best Way to Germinate Autoflower Seeds? 

Germination is the first step toward growing your own cannabis plant. So, what is the best way to germinate autoflower seeds? Thankfully, autoflower seeds require the same germination process as all other cannabis seeds.

For a quick refresh, here’s how to germinate your autoflower seeds using the most popular “paper towel” method: 

1. Start by taking a few paper towels and moistening them. Make sure to wring out any excess water. You want these paper towels damp, not dripping wet. 
2. Next, take your cannabis seeds and place them on one of the damp paper towels. Make sure you space them apart evenly to ensure their roots don’t get entangled when growing. 
3. Place the other damp paper towel directly over your seeds, covering them entirely. 
4. Then, place these paper towels on a plate and store them in a warm, dark place. Many people opt for the top of a fridge or in a closet. 
5. Keep an eye on your seeds and check daily for any signs of a taproot. When the root does appear, this means it’s time to transplant your seedlings to your chosen growing medium. 

When it comes time to transfer your seedlings, make sure to do so as gently as possible. Do not touch the taproot and ensure that you’re delicately placing it into its new home. 

It’s important to note that the entire germination process can take anywhere from 1-5 days, potentially even longer.

So, you have to be patient with your autoflowering seeds! Nothing good will come from rushing their growth, so patience is key. 

What is the Difference Between Autoflower and Feminized Seeds?

When learning about the different types of cannabis seeds, many people wonder, “What is the difference between autoflower and feminized seeds?” Well, there are various similarities and differences between the two.

In general, autoflower and feminized seeds represent two different approaches to cannabis cultivation.

Autoflower seeds, as we’ve mentioned automatically begin to flower with age, rather than with light exposure.

Feminized cannabis seeds, however, are genetically designed to produce only female plants. Female cannabis plants are sought after because they are the ones that produce the resinous, potent buds that we use for medical and recreational purposes.

Male cannabis plants, however, do not have these buds. Instead, they are born with pollen sacs that can actually contaminate female plants if grown too close.

When contaminated, the female plants start to produce seeds, and this can be unappealing for both growers and buyers.

Thus, feminized cannabis seeds take out the guesswork of whether or not you’re the female plants you want. Instead, you’re about 99% sure that you’re growing lovely ladies. 

It’s important to note that you can, in fact, have autoflowering feminized seeds — the two are not exclusive. 

Autoflowering feminized seeds are simply seeds that automatically flower with time and are guaranteed to be female. Having this combination is a great way to increase the ease with cultivation. 

What is Better: Autoflower or Normal Seeds? 

People often ask: what is better: autoflower or normal seeds? “Normal seeds” tend to refer to photoperiod cannabis seeds, or the seeds that grow based on the sun’s natural light cycle.

Photoperiod cannabis seeds change with the seasons, creating a longer growth process than autoflowering seeds. Because of this, these seeds can only produce one harvest per year.

When comparing these types of seeds directly, it’s clear that they both have their advantages and disadvantages, and preferences simply come down to the grower’s circumstances.

In general, photoperiod cannabis strains are going to come from naturally pollinated cannabis plants, producing both males and females.

More natural reproduction of this nature allows for greater genetic diversity. Thus, without photoperiod cannabis strains, it would be much more difficult to breed new strains or large yields.

However, as we’ve noted, photoperiod cannabis seeds take longer to cultivate. Thus, autoflowering seeds have a quick turnaround from seed to harvest, allowing for several harvests per year.

Autoflowering cannabis plants also tend to be more compact when grown; so, if you have limited space, these seeds may be a better choice. But, if you’re going outside — already under Mother Nature — photoperiod seeds may prove ideal. 

What is the Minimum Setup for Autoflower Cannabis Seeds? 

If you want to grow autoflower cannabis seeds, you don’t have to come up with a huge, elaborate setup (which isn’t something you can say about most cannabis seeds).

Instead, you can create a great space for your autoflowering plants with quite a modest setup.

Here is a list of all the things you will need and why: 

1. Grow Space: Of course, you cannot grow your autoflowering seeds without having a suitable place for your plants. This can be places like an indoor grow tent, a large closet, an extra room, or even your outdoor garden. 
2. Lighting: Thankfully, autoflowering cannabis strains don’t require changes in light cycles in order to trigger the flowering phase; however, you will still have to provide your plants with plenty of light in order for them to thrive. A good general rule of thumb is to give your autoflower seeds about 18-24 hours of light per day throughout the life cycle. 
3. Growing Medium: Whether it is soil or soilless, you have to determine what kind of growing medium to put your plants in once they have germinated. If you’re a beginner, we’d suggest sticking to soil. With this, you should also consider your ideal pots and containers. They need to have ample space and good drainage.
4. Nutrients: You cannot grow healthy autoflowers without considering the proper nutrients. Cannabis plants require plenty of vitamins and nutrients to survive, so finding pre-mixed nutrient solutions will be a good option — just make sure it’s suitable for cannabis, specifically. 
5. Ventilation: In order to have a good grow space for your autoflowering seeds, you have to have proper ventilation. Improper airflow creates the space for mold and mildew growth, which is not only damaging but dangerous to your plants. 
6. Temperature and Humidity Control: Along with proper ventilation, you also have to have ways to control the temperature and humidity levels in your grow space. Usually, you want to keep your space around 70-85°F and about 70% humidity during the seedling stage, and about 40% humidity in the flowering stage. 

Your grow setup will also need to consider factors like watering equipment and pH tester to ensure everything is where it should be. 

However, these are all the minimum factors, and if you want your plants to truly thrive, you will go above and beyond to ensure their environment is idyllic.

After all, that’s how you grow your dream cannabis plants! 

How to Grow Autoflower Seeds

If you’re wondering how to grow autoflower seeds, the process is going to look very similar to your typical cannabis plant growth process.

First, you’re going to start by germinating your autoflowering seeds. We laid out in-depth details on how to do that above.

From there, once your seed has germinated, you will need to transplant them into your chosen growing medium. You will want to dig a small hole that’s about a knuckle deep and then place the seed in, taproot-side-down.

Cover the hole gently with your growing medium and lightly water it. Over the next few weeks, you’ll notice your seedlings start to develop.

During this time, it’s essential to ensure that the environment for your plants is ideal, keeping the room warm and relatively humid.

After about 2-3 weeks, it’s time for your plants to enter the vegetative stage. During this time, your plants are going to grow much taller, taking up more space than ever.

On their own, your cannabis plants will then enter the flowering stage after about 3-5 weeks of growth. In this stage, they will start to develop their pistils, which are the crucial components of cannabis that produce the cannabinoids we love.

Finally, your autoflowering plants will be ready to harvest typically about 7-10 weeks after initial growth. You’ll know they’re ready to be harvested when the pistils have matured and the trichomes are no longer clear, but milky white.

After this, you will dry and cure the plants, and they’ll be ready for consumption. 

What is the Best Place to Buy Autoflower Seeds? 

From the short growing time to the ease of it all, there are a lot of appealing factors when it comes to autoflowering cannabis seeds. Because of this, many people ask, “What is the best place to buy autoflower seeds?” Well, we’ll tell you: Trilogene Seeds.

Trilogene Seeds offers a huge selection of high-quality, top-shelf autoflowering seeds for you to choose from.

Whether you’re looking for indicas, sativas, hybrids, feminized or non-feminized, Trilogene’s seed bank has everything you need and more in your autoflowering cultivation journey.