When initiating a new cannabis cultivation cycle, the primary decision to make is which variety or strain to grow. Reputable seed banks typically offer three main categories of cannabis seeds: autoflowering, feminized, and regular (sometimes referred to as “unsexed”). Among these, autoflowering and feminized seeds are the most popular choices, particularly for hobby growers.
It is crucial to understand the distinct characteristics and differences between autoflowering and feminized seeds to make an informed selection based on your specific cultivation goals and requirements.
Autoflowering seeds are bred to enter the flowering stage automatically after a certain period of vegetative growth, regardless of the light cycle or photoperiod. This trait is advantageous for growers seeking a streamlined cultivation process, as it eliminates the need for manually adjusting light schedules to induce flowering. Autoflowering strains typically have a shorter overall life cycle, making them suitable for growers with limited space or those seeking quicker harvests.
Conversely, feminized seeds are bred to produce only female plants, which are the desired sex for achieving flower and seed production in cannabis cultivation. Feminized seeds offer a higher degree of predictability, as growers can expect a crop consisting entirely of female plants without the need for sex identification and removal of male plants. This characteristic can simplify the growing process and maximize yield potential.
It is essential to evaluate factors such as available growing space, desired harvest quantity, and personal preferences before deciding between autoflowering or feminized seeds for your specific cultivation endeavor.
Autoflower cannabis seeds
Like its name, its biggest feature is that it can bloom automatically. Autoflowers are also very easy to grow: they’re small and have a short harvest time and adapt to their environment quickly such as rapid changes in temperature and humidity and the infestation of pests and diseases. Autoflowering seeds also have the advantage of not requiring frequent changes to light cycle as autoflowers flower based on maturity rather than light level. (Autoflowering vs Feminized Seeds)
Feminized cannabis seeds
Feminized cannabis seeds are the result of agricultural techniques that artificially get rid of male plants. Growing feminized seeds avoids the possibility of male seeds entering your garden and pollinating your girls. The flowering time of feminized seeds corresponds to light levels, as in nature. Outdoors, during the transition from summer to autumn, the amount of light available to plants lowers and this triggers flowering in cannabis.
Indoors, we simulate changes in natural light by adjusting the photoperiod of the grow lights. Feminized seeds are generally more potent, they have higher levels of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, and tend to produce higher yields. Another great advantage of feminized seeds is that you can expand your planting scale by cloning, while auto-flowering seeds can only be planted each time you buy new seeds. (Autoflowering vs Feminized Seeds)
Autoflowering vs. Feminized Seeds
| Cultivation | Plant height | Average time – seed to harvest | Start flowering | Yield | |
| Autoflowering | Easy | Small to medium | 10-16 weeks | 2-4 weeks after planting | Low–medium |
| Feminized | Moderate | Medium to tall | 12-24 weeks | Start 12/12 light cycle | Medium–high |
Which seed should I choose?
Now that we know some of the characteristics and differences between feminized and autoflowering, which seed should we choose to start growing?
It depends on your personal needs. If you’re just starting to grow cannabis and don’t have much knowledge and experience, autoflowering may be better for you because it’s easier to grow and more genetically resilient. You spend less time and effort and are more likely to achieve successful results. Many experienced farmers will also choose to grow autoflowering cannabis because its growth cycle is relatively short.
In the same time period, the number of planted autoflowers will be higher than other seeds, although the yield may be lower overall. More planting cycles make up for this shortcoming. So, for farmers who have long-term planting needs, autoflowering is also very suitable.
If you want maximum yield and highest potency in a single growing, then feminized seeds are the way to go. They are not too difficult to grow and you don’t need to tell the difference between males and females. However, you need to be very careful about changes in the light cycle at different planting stages, which determine whether and when your plants will bloom.
Note about the efficacy of autoflowering
The seeds for Autoflowers are derived from the C. ruderalis species (which has very low in THC), so autoflowers can be less potent than feminized seeds. However, by crossing other strains with high THC levels, there are many autoflowering strains with up to 20% THC that you can try to grow.
Wrap-up
Now you have a basic understanding of autoflowering and feminized seeds, you can choose what you need according to your actual needs. In general, if you have little planting experience or are looking for quick yields, autoflowering is a good choice for you.
If you want to get the maximum yield and potency from your harvest you can plant feminized seeds. No matter which one you choose, be sure to pay attention to the quality of the seeds, as long as you choose high-quality seeds, coupled with the correct growing method, you will definitely get results to your satisfaction.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
And be sure to check out our other blog posts for useful tips on becoming a great grower!
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