Autoflowering vs Feminized Seeds? Before starting a new grow the first decision we need to make is what type of cannabis we want. If you go to a seed bank you will find that there are three types of seeds: autoflower, feminized, and regular seeds. Among them, autoflower and feminized are the most popular. It is necessary for you to know their characteristics and differences so that you can choose the most suitable one according to your needs.
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? Autoflowering vs Feminized Seeds
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 Autoflowering vs Feminized Seeds
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!
Subscribe to the VIVOSUN newsletter for growing tips, grower stories, and special offers, and get 12% off your first order!
We love the new VIVOSUN Smart Grow System and we are certain that you too will love it once you try it.
And join our Facebook farmer’s community for even more exclusive contests and prizes!
Download VIVOSUN App to get 18% off and explore more information!
