Ever since weed has been made legal here in the USA, there has been a significant increase in people purchasing cannabis seeds and plants for personal use.
It was found that in 2020 the sales of cannabis increased by 67%. This stat alone is enough to help you understand how the rapid rise of cannabis production.
The booming of the cannabis industry also led to many newbies trying various cannabis seeds and farming them for personal use. Some smart cultivators have started out with autoflowering plants and have gained tremendous commercial success with this approach. Many people have understood the importance of growing autoflowering seeds and are opting to grow feminized and autoflowering seeds.
People opt for autoflowering seeds because the seeds are ready to harvest within the first eight weeks.
The reduced time doesn’t compromise the quality or the potency of the plant. You can either grow the plants indoors or outdoors.
Growing autoflower seeds is very easy. Growing them is also similar to growing feminized or regular seeds. You need to keep in mind certain aspects for better results.
This article is a comprehensive guide on how you can grow autoflowering seeds with ease.
A brief on autoflower seeds
If you’re starting to plant cannabis plants, then autoflowering seeds are the ideal choice. They are easy to grow, give good and faster yields compared to others.
Depending on the strain, autoflowering seeds have different duration of growing. Some grow within the first eight to ten weeks, while some take up to twelve weeks.
Since the autoflowering strains are bred with powerful strains to fight off insects and pests, helping the grower spend less time figuring the pest attack and preparing for it.
The only drawback is that with some autoflowering seeds, you do not get good yields compared to conventional seeds. However, little yield is good compared to growing regular plants that turn out to be male plants. So put your thinking cap on and see what needs to be done to enhance the yield you get from autoflowering plants.
Lighting system for autoflowering plants
Let there be light – this Biblical quote is apt for cultivating weed. You need not change the lighting for autoflowering plants compared to normal plants. This doesn’t mean that the plants do not need light or cannot survive on minimum lights.
They also need adequate light, but there is no hard and fast rule for the lighting as other plants need. You can give them adequate light as you please.
Unlike other cannabis plants, autoflowering seeds can be grown in any season. You need to maintain the temperature and the humidity of the location, and you can grow them outdoors. You can also leave them to grow outdoors, and the light from the sun is enough for them.
Week by week explanation of growing autoflower seeds
Keep the points mentioned below for each week, and your autoflowering seed will last long. You can also get good yields by the harvesting time.
1- Week 1 is germination
Within three days, the autoflower will germinate. Germination is the process when the seed is activated and the root travels to the ground. The sprouts come above the ground.
The seed needs the right soil mixture, and autoflowering seeds need fewer nutrients. You can buy several kits from nearby gardens for germinating autoflower seeds.
Once you see the sprout, you can take the seed out, and you can grow them in a small pot. You need to be very careful as the seed should not feel any disturbance while moving them to a pot.
2- Week 2 is the late seedling phase
The seed will take nutrients at this stage, begin creating energy from the LED lights, and familiarize itself with the surroundings.
When growing indoors, it is always advised to use LEDs as they help save energy and also apply less heat to the plant.
When growing outdoors, the sunlight is enough. But you can also put up light during the nights for proper growth.
3- Week 3 and 4 is when the vegetation grows
Once the plant enters the vegetative stage, your sole purpose should be to create an ideal environment for the plant. During the vegetative stage, you can see your plant grow.
The fans spread out, enhancing the photosynthesis process. The more leaves fan out, the more are the plant’s chances of creating more potent buds. You should give adequate water to the plants and also maintain the temperature of the place.
Give proper nutrients to the soil and ensure that you’re not exceeding the number of nutrients or reducing the number of nutrients. If you exceed the number of nutrients, you are prone to Nitrogen burn.
You should also start low-stress training methods when growing indoors. This prepares the buds to receive the most energy from the light source and improve the quality.
4- Week 5 and 6 is the flowering stage
During the 5th week, you can see some small nodes, which later become sticky buds. The humidity should be low, and the plants should get enough water.
Also, molds start developing during the flowering stage, which could ruin the plant. Hence, pay close attention to the leaves and the plants and check for any signs of molds.
5- During weeks 7 and 8, you should monitor the plant
From the 7th week, your main goal is to ensure the environment remains ideal for as long as possible. The humidity of the place should be around 40%.
Take a closer look at the soil for any insects or pests. Stop giving the plants any nutrients. Only give them water.
Occasionally flood the area around the plant to remove excess chemicals or any pests near the plants. Do this a couple of times.
Trim the lower fan leaves at the top and bottom that do not look right.
6- Week 9 is pre-harvest time
Repeat the same process as weeks 7 and 8. Maintain the ideal conditions for good results and prepare yourself for good yield for the following weeks.
7- Weeks 10 to 2 is the harvesting time
Ahh, the moment of glory is here! Your hard work of the last few weeks is about to reap rich dividends. But does your work stop here? Absolutely not! This might be the end of the guide and the process of growing autoflowering seeds. But how do you when to harvest the seeds?
You’ll know it when the trichomes are whitish, and the pistils are brownish-red. Depending on the strain, you will get closer to the harvest time. But remember that even if it takes your plant some additional time to harvest, do not panic and let nature take its course.
Final thoughts
This was a complete guide on growing autoflowering seeds. Buying them from like Homegrown Cannabis Co and growing them is easy, and with the right conditions and precautions, you can get excellent results. Keep growing and keep thriving in the field of commercial marijuana production.
