Do you want to grow cannabis at home and wondering where to start your journey? Well, there are different types of seeds available, and autoflowers are favorite among many. For the typical cannabis grower, it’s easier to obtain seeds than clones. You can now get quality autoflowering seeds from reputed seed banks.
Autoflowering marijuana plants come with numerous gains and are ideal for both pro and beginner growers. However, this isn’t as easy as it sounds. Understanding the plant requirements goes a long way. For instance, you must use the right soil and nutrients and water your plants as required. The light also matters, and the light cycles form an integral aspect of marijuana growth.
Why grow cannabis autoflowers?
It can be overwhelming to choose the right cannabis seeds. You have to pick between autoflowers and photoperiods and will get these and more from i49. These include feminized, regular, and autoflowers, and all come in varying strains. Nevertheless, most cannabis growers go for autoflowirng seeds. This is why;
- Easy to grow
As the name suggests, these plants grow automatically and don’t need light to flower and yield. The plants start flowering once ready, and you don’t have to adjust the light cycles. On the other hand, photoperiods rely on light to switch from the vegetative to flowering stage. You need vast knowledge on the right time to make the light adjustments which isn’t necessary when growing autoflowers.
- Grow all the time
Perhaps you have heard that cannabis plants need light to thrive. But this is particularly true for photoperiod plants. Autoflowers can grow well all year round and will produce buds no matter the amount of light. Although the plants still need light, they will thrive in the poorest growth conditions. You also need quality autoflowering seeds for optimal yields. These come at different strains and prices, and you can choose CBD or THC dominant strains to suit indoor or outdoor growth.
- Discretion
If you want to keep off nosy neighbors or a loved one who doesn’t support your cannabis consumption, autoflowers may be your ideal choice. They are small in size and will still produce big buds. This makes them discreet since you can grow them indoors without drawing attention from neighbors.
- Shorter growth period
Autoflowers grow very fast and mature in 8-10 weeks. You will have a steady supply and is highly unlikely to run out of cannabis with these plants. Although the plants may not have very high yields, you’ll enjoy more harvests in a year.
How can I choose quality autoflowering seeds?
The best seed banks stock high-quality seeds that can grow into healthy plants. However, it’s advisable to know how to spot the best quality seeds when shopping. Healthy cannabis seeds are dark brownish, black, or a combination of both colors. They may be big or smaller, and all work well. In most cases, Sativas are smaller with a single color.
But, Indicas are bigger and are mostly striped with black or brown. You may also come across green seeds, but these are immature and won’t grow. These seeds should also be hard to touch and shouldn’t crumble when pressed. Moreover, quality seeds are glossy when exposed to light.
What’s the best light cycle for autoflowering cannabis plants?
Autoflowers are different from photoperiods when it comes to light requirements and flowering. Photoperiods begin flowering when the darkness increases, but autoflowers don’t rely on such signals. They don’t follow any light cycle to flower.
However, they require light, just like other regular plants. This makes the lighting cycle important, mainly when growing your plants indoors.
Here are examples of light cycles to consider when going autoflowers;
1.24/0 Light cycle
Most cannabis growers prefer the 24/0 light cycle; this supplies the pants with high amounts of light, allowing them to thrive and yield better. Autoflowers do better in such an environment since the plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. However, the plants will need rest to allow for recovery from damages, and you should allow them rest to thrive well.
With the 24/0 cycle, autoflowers tend to grow vigorously at first but later slow down the growth. This may lower productivity leading to fewer buds and lower yields. The cycle is less productive compared to other light cycles.
What’s more, the 24 hour light cycle will reduce the lifespan of your lights. Even with the highest quality lights, you may be forced to replace them often on a 24/0 light cycle.
2.18/6 light cycle
This is perhaps the best light cycle for cannabis autoflowers. The light schedule provides adequate light necessary for the plants to grow to their fullest potential. It also offers a rest period of six hours, allowing for recuperation and normal growth. The 18/6 light cycle is a perfect beginning for novices with minimal or no experience growing marijuana autoflowers.
What’s more, this light cycle saves on power bills by six hours daily. The plants take 8-10 weeks to mature, and you can save a lot during this period. Also, you won’t have to replace the lights often, as with the 24-hour cycle.
3.20/4 light cycle
If you want to supply your plants with more light and still allow for a few hours of rest, the 20/4 light cycle would be ideal. To determine if this works, experiment with the 18/6 cycle first and monitor the growth.
Do autoflowering cannabis plants need darkness?
Auoflowers don’t need darkness and will grow in nay light cycle. In the right growth conditions, these plants will flower when they grow to a certain height. However, a 24/0 light cycle can stress your plants, leaving no time for recovery. This may affect the yields since the plants grow faster and won’t have enough time to recover.
The bottom line
Growing cannabis autoflowers comes with numerous benefits. These plants can withstand different growth conditions and light amounts. They require minimal nutrients, and you can grow them in all seasons. Autoflowers are a good starting point for beginners and will ensure a steady product supply all year round. However, the quality of seeds is critical, and it’s advisable to purchase them from renowned seed banks.