Autoflowering cannabis

Autoflowering cannabis is a type of Cannabis plant that automatically switches from vegetative growth to the flowering stage with age, as opposed to the ratio of light to dark hours required with photoperiod dependent/short-day strains. Many autoflowers will be ready to harvest in less than 10 weeks from seed.

History

Autoflowering cannabis varieties have been around for many years in the form of Cannabis ruderalis. This subspecies of cannabis is known for its ability to flower based on age, rather than a change in light cycle. The ruderalis plant is native to Eastern Europe and Russia, where it has adapted to the shorter growing seasons and harsh climates.

Genetics

Autoflowering cannabis strains are the product of extensive crossbreeding with cannabis ruderalis genes. The ruderalis plant is a hardy plant that can survive in harsh climates, with the ability to autoflower being a key survival trait. This trait has been bred into other cannabis strains to create autoflowering varieties.

Cultivation

Autoflowering cannabis plants are typically grown from seed. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, and they do not require a change in light cycle to trigger the flowering stage. This makes them a popular choice for novice growers and those with limited space or resources.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of autoflowering cannabis is its quick and easy growth cycle. Because they flower automatically, growers do not need to worry about changing the light cycle or removing male plants. However, autoflowering strains typically have a lower THC content than their photoperiod counterparts.

See Also

• Cannabis cultivation
• Cannabis ruderalis
• Cannabis strains