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If you are going to grow your own weed at home, probably the first question you will need to ask yourself is, are you going to grow autoflowering or photoperiod plants? This article tackles this question head-on. First, we’ll clarify the key differences between autoflowering and feminized seeds, we will explore the origins of their genetics and compare the advantages of both seed types so that you can decide which is best for you.
What is the difference between autoflowering and photoperiod seeds?
Autoflower seeds flower automatically based on age, switching from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage at around weeks 3-5, regardless of the light cycle you have them under. This characteristic comes from their ruderalis genetics, we will explain more on this later.
Photoperiod cannabis plants, commonly referred to as feminized seeds, flower according to the amount of daylight hours only going into the flowering stage when they receive 12 hours of light. This is why if you are growing them indoors you much change your lighting schedule from 18/6 to 12/12. Although this makes things a little more complicated, it does give you a bit more control over the plant’s vegetative growth period allowing you to produce bigger plants and play around with high stress training techniques.
What are the advantages of autoflower strains?
- Faster Growth Cycle: Autoflower strains typically have a shorter life cycle, often ready for harvest in as little as 8-10 weeks from seed. This rapid growth allows for multiple grow cycles in a year.
- Simplified Light Requirements: Autoflowers don’t require a change in light cycle to bloom. They can thrive under a simple light schedule throughout their life, making them ideal for beginners.
- Resilience: These strains are generally hardier, making them more resistant to temperature fluctuations, pests, and diseases. This resilience stems from their ruderalis genetics.
- Small and Compact: Autoflower plants usually stay small, making them perfect for indoor spaces or discreet outdoor growing. Their compact size is advantageous for growers with limited space.
- Efficient Resource Use: Due to their shorter lifespan and smaller size, autoflowers often require less water and nutrients compared to their photoperiod counterparts, leading to potential savings in resources.
What are the advantages of growing photoperiod strains?
- Higher Yields: Growing cannabis that flowers according to light cycles allow you more control over the length of the veg stage. By extending your vegetative period your plants will grow bigger, resulting in more bud come harvest time.
- Greater Potency: Generally, photoperiod strains have the potential to develop higher levels of THC and other cannabinoids, making them a favorite among those seeking stronger effects.
- Customizable Growth Cycles: Growers have the ability to control the vegetative phase’s length, offering flexibility to optimize plant size and yield based on specific goals and constraints.
- Wider Strain Variety: There’s a broader range of photoperiod strains available, giving growers more options in terms of flavors, aromas, and effects.
- Cloning Potential: Photoperiod plants can be cloned during their vegetative stage, allowing for the reproduction of a genetic copy without the need for seeds. This is especially beneficial for preserving desired traits and maintaining consistent quality.
Are autoflowering strains less potent?
Historically, autoflower strains were less potent compared feminized. However, this was largely due to their ruderalis genetics, which are naturally lower in THC.
Modern breeding techniques have dramatically improved the potency of autoflowering strains over the last 20 years. Breeders have successfully combined the resilient, fast-growing characteristics of ruderalis with the higher THC levels of indica and sativa varieties creating super autoflowers that are both higher yielding and more potent.
Autoflower strains may still have slightly lower THC levels on average, but the gap in potency has narrowed considerably and you can now grow some autoflowers that are capable of producing THC levels of up to 25%.
Do autoflowering plants yield less?
Autoflowering plants do tend to yield less compared to photoperiod plants. How much an autoflower can yield is down to several factors:
- Shorter Growth Cycle: Autoflowers have a quicker overall life cycle, often ready for harvest within 8-10 weeks from germination. This shorter growth period means they have less time to develop large, dense buds.
- Smaller Size: Autoflowering plants are generally smaller and more compact. This smaller stature limits the number of bud sites a plant can develop, directly impacting the total yield.
- Lighting: Since autoflowers don’t require a change in light cycle to flower, they often receive less intense light schedules compared to photoperiod plants, which can influence bud development and size.
- Genetics: The ruderalis genetics in autoflowers, which give them their autoflowering trait, are naturally less productive in terms of yield compared to indica or sativa genetics found in photoperiod strains.
What is the difference between photoperiod and feminized seeds?
The term ‘photoperiod’ only refers to if the plant flowers according to light, not its gender. You can get regular photoperiod seeds which can grow into a male or female cannabis plant. Its important here to be able to spot the difference of early male and female preflowers so that you can separate your plants by sex. Male cannabis plants produce pollen that can pollinate your female preflowers potentially ruining any bud you have grown. Female plants produce the flowers that you’ll most likely want to harvest and smoke as bud. The only real purpose of male plants is if you want to breed. So, you want to grow smokeable bud, then its best grow feminized photoperiod cannabis seeds.
Autoflowering strains can also be male or female, however almost all of the autoflowering seeds you see for sale online will be feminized and will therefore only grow female cannabis plants.
Should you grow autoflower or photoperiod seeds?
How Much Time Do You Have?
The time you can dedicate to your grow project is crucial. Autoflowers are ideal for those looking for a quick turnaround, with a life cycle of around 8-10 weeks. In contrast, photoperiod strains require more time, typically a few weeks longer, as they need an extended vegetative period before flowering can be induced.
How Much Space Do You Have?
Space constraints play a significant role in your decision. Autoflower seeds are compact and can fit in smaller spaces, making them suitable for indoor setups or discreet outdoor growing. Photoperiod plants, however, can grow quite large, requiring more room for their roots and foliage, thus better suited for larger indoor spaces or outdoor gardens.
How Much Bud Do You Want to Produce?
Cannabis strains are not one size fits all, if yield is your priority, photoperiod is the way to go. They often produce larger yields due to their size and longer growing period. Autoflower seeds, while convenient and quick, usually have lower yields per plant. However, their fast growth cycle allows for multiple harvests in the same timeframe it takes to grow one cycle of photoperiod plants.
How Much Experience Do You Have?
Autoflower seeds are much easier to grow. They are less demanding in terms of light cycle management and are generally more resilient to grower errors. Photoperiod plants, while offering more control over growth and yield, require a better understanding of light cycles and plant training techniques, making them more suited for experienced growers.
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