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ToggleWhat Are Autoflowering Seeds?
Autoflowering seeds are from cannabis strains specially bred to start flowering within a very short period, usually within 3 to 4 weeks of planting, regardless of the light cycle or photoperiod. With most autoflowering seeds, the buds/flowers (the parts essential for consumption) are usually ready for harvest within 9 to 12 weeks. When considering the “What are autoflowering seeds?” question, it helps to draw some comparisons with the traditional seeds. For example, unlike autoflower weed seeds, traditional marijuana plants, dependent on photoperiods or light cycles, flower within 8-11 weeks and are usually ready for harvest within 10-32 weeks. Traditionally, light is a big part of marijuana cultivation; in the absence of suitable lighting conditions, regular cannabis plants may take forever to grow. Consequently, electricity bills constitute one of the most significant costs for greenhouse or indoor cannabis cultivation. Depending on the strain, growers must ensure about 12 hours of full-spectrum light and 12 hours of darkness daily to induce the plant into flowering. Another thing to remember when rethinking “what are autoflowering seeds?” is the implication of the “auto” in autoflowering. As you already suspect, it means automatic. Therefore, autoflowering seeds refer to strains that can flower automatically at a certain age, regardless of adequate light cycles. These inherent characteristics of autoflower weed seeds save growers a load of costs on electricity while being able to run multiple cultivation cycles in a year. For these reasons, they’re a convenient option for growers.The Science Behind Autoflowering Seeds
Autoflowering cannabis owes its unique growth cycle to genetics. Unlike photoperiod plants, which wait for shorter days to trigger flowering, autoflowers bloom on their own within a set number of weeks. This “automatic” switch comes from cannabis ruderalis, a hardy subspecies that evolved in regions with short summers and unpredictable daylight. By crossing ruderalis with sativa and indica plants, breeders captured this early-flowering trait while working to boost potency and yield. Recent studies suggest that the autoflowering trait is linked to a mutation in a gene tied to the plant’s circadian clock, called PRR37. In most plants, this internal clock tracks day length and signals when it’s time to flower. The mutation disrupts that process, causing cannabis to flower much earlier than its photoperiod relatives. While this may sound like a flaw, it’s actually what makes autoflowers so reliable and versatile in different growing conditions. For growers, this genetic quirk has big advantages. Autoflowers can thrive outdoors in climates where photoperiod plants struggle, since they don’t need the precise balance of daylight and darkness to start flowering. They can also be planted at different times of the year, giving cultivators more flexibility and shorter harvest cycles. Breeders are now focused on combining the convenience of autoflowers with the desirable traits of traditional cannabis, such as higher THC levels, better flavor profiles, and larger yields. With advances in genetics, modern autoflowers are steadily closing the gap, offering growers plants that are small and resilient yet increasingly potent.Characteristics of Autoflower Seeds
Autoflowering seeds originate from a cross between ruderalis and sativa or indica plants. Accordingly, there are auto sativa and auto indica varieties in the market. Cannabis ruderalis is a subspecies of cannabis, just as there are indica and sativa subs. They have unique properties in appearance and their phytochemical composition, which sets them apart from other varieties. Originally, ruderalis grew wild in Eastern and Northern Europe, which usually have short summers and limited light cycles. Ruderalis is hardy enough to weather the harsh climate and flower quickly. However, this subspecies is usually CBD-dominant, with THC levels in the 3% range. Consequently, they’re not so potent on their own, necessitating crossbreeding them with more potent strains to get desired results. The autoflower seeds in the market today are a culmination of various crossbreeding attempts to have plants with that flower automatically, have a short lifecycle, and boast reasonably potent buds. A typical autoflower seed would grow a cannabis plant that:- Is independent of light hours
- Flowers automatically within 3-4 weeks. Some flower in 2 weeks
- Complete their lifecycle (from planting to harvest) within 8-12 weeks
- Is short, usually 40-100 cm in height. Their shortness makes them a great choice for discreet growers
- Can withstand exposure to extreme weather conditions