This is a collaborative post
Cannabis is a broad term for a group of three plants – Sativa, Indica and Ruderalis. The flowers of the plant are dried and turned into one of the most common drugs in the world. Some like to call it weed, others prefer marijuana.
Cannabis, like any other plants, germinates from seeds. The type of seeds determines significantly how the harvest would turn out to be and hence is vital that it be chosen wisely. Categorically, we have three varieties of seeds – feminized, regular and autoflower seeds.
Out of the three, the kind attributed to autoflowering breed has a lot to offer, though all silver linings come with the clouds too. In the subsequent parts, we would discuss more on autoflower seeds.
What are autoflower seeds
As the name suggests, these seeds produce flowers automatically after a stipulated time has passed. Autoflower seeds are capable of producing the harvest being largely indifferent of the external factors. Unlike, photoperiod cannabis which requires periodic variations in lighting to trigger blooms, autoflower seeds do away with this inconvenience completely.
Why are autoflowers so much in demand
There is quite a list as to why autoflowers seeds are the most sought after.
- They promise faster growth and harvest, unlike photoperiods who take 7-10 weeks for the second stage pf growth alone.
- These plants never grow beyond 60-100 cm and hence are well suited for concealed or indoor locations.
- They have lesser lighting requirements saving both time and energy utilisation on part of the cultivator.
- Autoflowering plants are robust and resilient, genetically, making it ideal for amateurs.
- The plants can survive in less-nutritious soil conditions and do not require much fertiliser as compared to the other breeds.
- Autoflower seeds tend to have a higher CBD content which has medicinal value.
Not all is sunshine and roses
Despite what might appear to be the next perfect thing, let’s, for a moment, explore the downside.
- Since the plants grow small and compact, they cannot produce many buds leading to a lower yield.
- Autoflowers tend to have lower THC content. However, Royal Queen Seeds have worked on a new generation that produces competitive levels of THC as that of photoperiods.
- Autoflowering plants do not produce good quality clones owing to their shorter lifetime.
- One has to be very careful while breeding autoflowers. Their brevity of lifespan leaves no room for errors.
Cannabis in the UK is termed as a class B drug. Possession and cultivation of cannabis seeds in the UK are illegal. Stringent laws have been put in place restricting usage even on personal property. Punishment may be ruled up to but not restricted to as much as 14 years of imprisonment.
While there are pros and cons to everything, cannabis and growing them from autoflower seeds are no exception. As a beginner, it could be a good place to start as it needs lesser effort and patience. In places where cannabis is legally grown, autoflower seeds continue to do justice to their demands.