Health

The Advantages of Growing Autoflowering Marijuana Plants

Planning cannabis growth can be incredibly exciting, but it takes a lot of work to get every detail right. Before choosing strains, the best place for beginners to start is by exploring different seed types, and auto-flowering seeds should be at the top of the list. Read on to find out about the advantages of growing autoflowering marijuana plants to find out why that’s true.

1. They Grow Fast

It takes a full growing season to pull down a crop from photoperiod plants, but the situation is quite different for autoflowering seeds. Instead of changing from the vegetative stage into the flowering stage when the light cycles start to change, autoflowers work on their own internal clock. They can usually be expected to flower in 10 to 12 weeks, which means there’s no need to care for plants throughout a full growing season.

2. They’re Resilient

Autoflowers were developed by combining the genetics of indica or sativa strains with Cannabis ruderalis. This hardy type of cannabis plant was first identified in Russia, so it’s used to the cold and has developed a level of resiliency to environmental pressures that have been bred out of photoperiod sativas, indicas, and hybrids. An autoflower’s ruderalis heritage increases the plant’s resiliency, while its sativa or indica genetics determine the strain’s defining features.

3. They’re Suitable for Both Indoor and Outdoor Grows

The increased resilience associated with autoflowers and shorter time to harvest makes them suitable for outdoor cultivation even in harsh climates, but it’s just as common to see these non-photoperiod plants grown indoors. Since autoflowers have a shorter growth cycle, they’re usually smaller when they enter the flowering stage, making it easier to keep them contained in either containers or hydroponic systems. Plus, unlike photoperiod strains, autoflowers can be left under a constant 18/6 light cycle for the duration of their growth.

4. They’re Affordable to Grow

Growing autoflowers is usually more affordable than nursing photoperiod plants through their entire growth cycles. Autoflowers generally require fewer resources, can grow in less nutrient-rich soils, and require less care than photoperiod strains. Add the fact that indoor growers and outdoor growers in mild climates can pull down crops year-round and it should be easy to see how autoflowers can make growers extra money.

5. They Don’t Need to Be Transplanted

Photoperiod plants cultivated in containers usually need to be transplanted into larger pots as they grow, but autoflowers don’t need to be moved around. They’ll send taproots into the soil as seedlings and mature into adult plants capable of producing solid yields in the same soil. Not having to transplant autoflowers helps to cut back on stress by eliminating transplant shock and cuts costs even more by eliminating the need to purchase 3 to 4 pots for each plant.

Autoflowers Are a Perfect Option for Beginners and Experts Alike

Experienced marijuana growers usually have their favorite strains, setups, and growing techniques. In many cases, indoor, outdoor, and guerilla growers prefer planting at least a few autoflowers each season, not just because they’re easy and affordable to grow but also because they can be harvested earlier than photoperiod plants. Combine auto-flowering plants’ ease of cultivation and affordability with their general resiliency and it should be clear that these strains are also perfect for beginners. Growing autoflowers is a great way for novices to dip their toes in the water of marijuana cultivation without risking much.