The Perfect Guide to Growing Autoflowers (Updated)

The perfect guide to growing autoflowers

Cannabis strains known as “autoflowers” have seen explosive growth in the market in recent years. Due to their high yields and ease of cultivation, they have recently become very popular in the cannabis industry. Autoflowering strains are popular because they mature quickly, with some allowing a harvest in as little as 7 weeks. From the novice to the experienced grower, anyone can grow these strains.

What are autoflowering seeds?

The ancestors of autoflowering cannabis seeds can be traced back to a Russian discovery of a wild cannabis strain called “Ruderalis” in the 1940s. In other words, autoflowers don’t need human involvement to flower. They differ from the regular cannabis strains. These plants flower at around 3–4 weeks of age, regardless of sunlight cycles, and can be harvested in just a few months. Amazingly, bulk autoflowering seeds are available in more than 200 strains.

Steps to grow autoflowering plants

Because they grow quickly and start flowering regardless of your readiness, autoflowering plants need to be planned ahead of time. If you stick to the guidelines below, you should see great results from your autoflowering garden:

The first week is the time of germination.

This first phase often occurs within 72 hours, while it can occur as early as 24 hours. Choose a commercial potting mix or make your own by combining seaweed, compost, moistened perlite and wet vermiculture with nitrogen-rich tablets that provide other vital elements and a healthy dose of beneficial fungi.

The second week is for late seedling development.

Your seedling will now use its light source to generate its own energy. Indoor growers should switch to LED lighting as it uses less electricity and generates less heat. Only one light is required for a huge plant to grow in an indoor autoflower setup.

The third and fourth week is for vegetation.

The plant you are growing is now in its vegetative phase. That means you need to focus your full attention on creating the ideal environment. Feed twice a week and reduce humidity to 50% and temperature to 68 degrees.

The fifth and sixth week is for flowering.

By week 5 you will see the first buds emerge and they will be sticky and resinous, a foretaste of the abundance to come. Humidity should remain at 45 percent, and temperature should be raised to about 71 degrees. Supplements should be added twice weekly, and water intake should be increased to a liter per day. You are in the final stages when you have nursed your autoflowering plants up to the sixth week.

The seventh week is for check-ins.

Avoid extreme heat and cold when placing your plants outdoors. Make sure they have enough moisture when indoors. Aim for something around 40 percent.

The eighth and ninth week is for flushing and defoliation.

In the eighth week you should start the flushing process. This includes stopping the use of fertilizers and other plant additives. In the ninth week it is now time to make a small pruning. Use scissors to remove the small leaves from the base of the fan.

From the tenth to the twelfth week is harvest time.

When the pistils are brownish-red in color and the majority of the trichomes are white, harvest time has come. It is common for the fan leaves to appear rusty or otherwise discolored after flushing your plants.

The importance of plant training

The best time to complete the training is when the plant is still in the veg stage. This phase lasts a few weeks for cars, so quick action is required. Your autoflowering plants don’t need the same level of care as photoperiod plants; Therefore, you should avoid topping, pinching and other common cutting techniques. To maximize the number of buds produced by autoflowers, LST (Low Stress Training) is the only approach. During the LST, the plants are gently bent and tied down to ensure all bud sites receive the same light. To avoid damage to your autoflowers, start low-stress training as soon as possible.

Storage and curing of autoflowering plants

Autoflowering plants follow the same drying, curing, and storage protocols as regular cannabis plants. Hanging your buds upside down for many days can dry them out. Keep them sealed, but leave some headroom in each jar. You should start by opening the jars daily for the first few months. After the first week, you only need to open the jars every two to three days. The secret is to maintain around 62% humidity inside the jar. Your flower will be ready in 2 weeks at the latest, and about 2 months if you are really patient.

There is no need to worry if your plant’s growth is lagging behind or ahead of other plants. Different plants may require different periods of time to reach maturity.

Frequently asked questions about growing autoflowering seeds

When is the best time to plant my autoflower seeds outdoors?

Since cannabis is sensitive to cold, summer is ideal for cultivation. While regular marijuana requires a specific light cycle, autoflowering seeds only need long, sunny days.

How long do autoflowering seeds typically last when stored properly?

Autoflowering seeds kept in a cold, dry environment have a shelf life of one to two years. If your seeds get damp they will rot and not grow no matter how long you refrigerate them, but otherwise they will keep for years.

In what pot size should I grow autoflowers?

Find a large pot (42L) with holes in the bottom for draining. Plants cannot be transplanted into a larger pot after they have outgrown the one they started in.

What type of soil is best for growing autoflowers?

Choose soil that drains well and is slightly acidic. To ensure your plant grows all summer long, use potting soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

How often do I need to water my autoflowers?

Autoflowering plants should be watered once a day at most. Avoid watering them on days when the soil is damp.

Do autoflowers grow slowly outdoors?

Growing her outdoors might take longer than indoors. However, plants grown outdoors grow quickly when given enough sunlight and moisture.

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