Are you curious about the differences between autoflower and feminized cannabis seeds?
Autoflower seeds are popular among beginners due to their ease of cultivation, small size, and quick harvest time.
They also have the added benefit of blooming automatically.
Feminized seeds offer several advantages over autoflower seeds, including larger plants, greater yield, and the ability to clone.
The main difference between autoflower and feminized is the light cycle, as autoflowers do not rely on light to dark hours ratio for switching from vegetative to flowering.
At the same time, feminized seeds produce plants that flower based on the light they receive.
This article will cover all information you need to know on a topic.
What is Autoflower Cannabis?
Autoflower cannabis seeds are popular among beginners due to their ease of cultivation, small size, and quick harvest time. They also have added benefit of blooming automatically.
In addition to their ease of cultivation and quick harvest time, autoflower cannabis seeds have a simple lighting schedule.
Autoflowers are more resistant to temperature fluctuations, pests, and fungi. This makes them an ideal option for beginners looking to get into cannabis growing.
Like feminized seeds, autoflower seeds will grow into female plants that produce the smokeable cannabis desired by most growers.
What is Feminized Cannabis?
Feminized cannabis seeds offer several advantages over autoflower seeds. With feminized seeds, growers do not have to worry about producing male plants, which do not produce smokeable cannabis high in THC and CBD.
Additionally, feminized seeds typically result in bigger plants and greater yield, with smokeable cannabis often more potent.
Cloning is also possible with feminized plants, while autoflowers cannot be cloned, requiring new seeds to be purchased every time.
Even though plants from feminized seeds need more space, care, attention, and a demanding lighting schedule, most serious growers opt for feminized seeds due to greater yield and cloning potential.
Main Difference – Light Cycle
Discover the main difference between photoperiodic and autoflowering cannabis seeds.
Autoflowers and Their Characteristics
Autoflowering seeds do not rely on light to dark hours ratio (photoperiod) for switching from vegetative to flowering. Instead, they change based on age.
This means that growers using autoflowering seeds and strains do not have to worry about adjusting light for plants as they do with photoperiodic seeds.
Genetics used to create autoflowering seeds, such as cannabis ruderalis and photoperiodic strains, have improved THC count.
However, there is a trade-off, as potency is still not as high as regular indicas and sativas.
Feminized Cannabis Seeds and Their Characteristics
Seeds dependent on photoperiod produce plants that flower based on the amount of light they receive.
This is not new, as it applies to popular strains such as Blue Dream, Sour Diesel, and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies.
In understanding how these plants grow, it’s essential to know that they will flower in response to the amount of light they get.
Introducing to you the cannabis strain that made it possible for autoflowering seeds: cannabis ruderalis.
Morphological Dissimilarity
Autoflowering and feminized cannabis varieties have distinct morphological differences that are important for growers to be aware of when selecting.
Autoflowering strains are typically shorter in height, usually not growing taller than 1 meter. This compact size can be an advantage for growers working in limited spaces or those who want to be discreet.
- Feminine strains can be pruned to control their height and shape.
- Feminized plants also have a better calyx-to-leaf ratio, making it easier to harvest the buds.
- Additionally, feminized strains tend to have more dense buds and produce more resin around the flowers, resulting in more intense flavors and aromas.
- However, autoflowering strains have lower THC levels due to their Ruderalis genes.
Differences in Harvest Time
Grow cycle length is a crucial aspect for many cultivators. Autoflowers are an excellent choice for those seeking multiple harvests throughout the year. Typically, the period from seed to harvest for autoflowers is 8-12 weeks.
On the other hand, feminized seeds take 12-20 weeks from seed to harvest and only start flowering when exposed to 12 hour light and 12 hour darkness schedule.
Outdoor cultivation of feminized seeds may require waiting until fall for proper flowering. In contrast, autoflowers do not have this constraint.
Autoflowering Seeds: Male or Female?
Autoflowering seeds differ from feminized seeds in that they have potential to produce both male and female plants.
This means that when planting autoflowering seeds, there is a 50/50 chance of getting a male or female plant.
It is not possible to determine the gender of plant before it sprouts.
If you decide to use autoflowering seeds, it’s vital to keep close eye on growth of plants and remove any male plants promptly to prevent pollination of female plants, which can lower the yield and potency of their flowers.
Autoflowering Seeds: Smaller Harvests?
Autoflowering seeds are ideal for growing in tight spaces due to their small size.
However, they produce smaller yields.
If maximizing the number of buds per plant is a priority, regular or feminized seeds are a better option as they grow larger and have more space for flower development.
Feminized Seeds: Higher Potency
Feminized seeds have higher potency due to the absence of cannabis ruderalis genes.
During flowering, these plants redirect energy towards the flowers instead of stems and leaves, leading to increased production of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
This results in a more potent psychedelic experience, medicinal benefits, and improved taste and aroma of the final product.
Feminised Cannabis Seeds: Longer Maturity
The maturity of autoflowering cannabis plants can be reached within 75 days, while plants grown from feminized seeds can take between 120-240 days to reach maturity.
Which Seed Type is Best for Indoor and Outdoor Growing?
Feminized seeds are typically better suited for outdoor cultivation, while autoflowering seeds are more appropriate for indoor growing.
Typically, feminized seeds produce larger and taller plants then autoflowers. However, it’s essential to remember that using larger pots can allow for bigger plants and buds, regardless of the type of seed used.
Choosing the Right Cannabis Seed for You
When choosing between autoflower and feminized cannabis seeds, it is vital to consider the quality of strain from which seeds came and whether the plant was grown organically.
Low-quality plants can produce low-quality final products, diminishing psychoactive or medicinal effects.
To ensure high-quality final buds, it is recommended to use seeds from high-quality, healthy plants and to opt for organic growing methods to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and pesticides.
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