What Does Autoflowering Mean?

If a cannabis variety is described as auto-flowering, it flowers with age. Autoflowering varieties differ in this way from photoperiod plants, which enter the flowering stage based on the amount of light they are exposed to. Photoperiod plants flower during a designated photoperiod, determined by hours of sunlight versus hours of darkness that they are exposed to. Usually 12 hours under the light, and 12 hours in darkness. Autoflowering plants have flowering that is triggered immediately once they reach a certain size. Most autoflowering varieties will harvest in under ten weeks from seed state, but “super autos” can require in excess of 100 days and reach heights in the six foot range. Currently, there are hundreds of autoflowering strains available for purchase online such as Afghan Kush, by breeder World of Seeds, and Auto Ak47, by breeder Lowlife.

History

Historically speaking, the first autoflowering strain is thought to be “Lowryder”, made by breeder, The Joint Doctor. The strain is said to be a cross between a Russian Ruderalis and a Mexican Sativa. There is a competing theory, however, that Lowryder’s genetics came from the oilseed hemp “Finola,” which was developed in Finland in the mid-nineties. According to breeders, there are many benefits of autoflowering varieties.

Advantages

One plus is that they can be kept short in stature, which allows for stealth growing in locations where space is limited. Additionally, and unlike photoperiod dependent/short-day strains, autoflowering varieties do not need a separate vegetative and flowering environment.

They also tend to have great seed production with one plant being able to produce several hundred seeds. They can be grown in cold climates, where summers are short and cold or in a city environment that has artificial lighting.

With autoflowering, multiple harvests can be produced outdoors in one season. For sativa growers, since plants are typically very tall with a long flowering period, autoflowering makes it much easier for them to be grown and stored indoors.

Disadvantages

Many traditional cannabis growers feel that autoflowers are a fad that produce underwhelming product. There is also suspicion that hormones like BAP and paclobutrazol are too often in used in their growth process and contain dangerous carcinogens. Another big disadvantage is that autoflowering strains are difficult to cross with photoperiod strains.

Most of today’s autoflowering seeds are cannabis sativa or cannabis indica strains that have been crossed with cannabis ruderalis varieties and bred over many generations. Over the last several years, the popularity of autoflowering seeds has skyrocketed in the commercial market, as well as for individuals who are seeking to grow their own for medicinal purposes, as they do not always have the space required to optimally grow photoperiod plants.