Autoflower cannabis seeds are becoming the ideal choice for growers of all abilities. At Fast Buds we pride ourselves on being one of the market's finest cannabis seed banks, thanks to our dedication to developing the optimum genetics in our autoflowering seeds and ensuring strains generate impressive yields in less than 9 weeks. Apart from the fast-flowering trait, autoflowers provide the following advantages to auto growers:
You can grow more, faster. Fast Buds’ strains have been developed for years, we have dedicated a lot of time to our genetics, looking for the most desirable traits and with intensive research and breeding we were able to select and improve the best of the best. You can savor the years of work in the taste, aroma and effect of our plants.
We have a wide selection of strains for sale in the UK, with a variety of traits and characteristics that will surely please every type of consumer and are suited for all growers, from beginners to pros.
Choose your perfect strain online and receive a completely discreet package via express service without any hustle.
Buying autoflowering weed seeds is super easy. The first step is to access 2fast4buds.com and take a look at our catalog, once you have selected the strains you wish to buy, choose the pack size which ranges from 1 to 1000, then select the payment method; We accept bitcoin, Visa/Mastercard, Wire transfer and Cash on delivery, after selecting your preferred payment method it’s just a matter of waiting a couple of days for your order to arrive!
If you’re a regular homegrower you won’t need a lot of feminized seeds, this is why we offer the possibility to buy cannabis seeds in packs containing 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 cannabis seeds but for those who grow outdoors or have a large indoor grow space it may be more beneficial to buy weed seeds in large quantities, for this reason we offer the possibility to buy cannabis seeds in bigger packs with 25, 50, 100, 150 and 1000 marijuana seeds which can be shipped in one pack, this way you don’t have to make multiple orders, and everything arrives safe and sound.
You can find thousands of autoflowering genetics in the market and each one has unique characteristics that will satisfy certain consumers but not others, this is why we’ve added a filter to make it easier for you to choose your cannabis seeds for the next grow cycle.
In our catalog you’ll find several genetics that you can filter by, for example, “climate”, “size” and “strength”; The result can also be sorted by “high price”, “low price” and “bestsellers”, allowing you to find exactly what you’re looking for. This way you buy cannabis seeds knowing exactly what you will get.
Yes, all the autoflowering genetics we offer in our catalog are feminized, this means that your autoflowering cannabis seeds will result in a 100% feminized seeds so all of them will produce seedless buds instead of pollen sacs. However, it’s highly recommended that you provide good growing conditions to maximize the results because the growing conditions can affect the quality and quantity of your harvest so if you want to get the best results possible, we recommend paying attention to the following factors:
Autoflowering cannabis seeds offer a range of benefits that makes them stand out from regular genetics, among these benefits it’s worth highlighting the following:
Growing your own cannabis for personal use can be one for the most rewarding activities for recreational users and those that are passionate about weed. Unfortunately, traditional non-auto strains can be tricky to cultivate even for more experienced cannabis growers.
The advantage of opting to buy autoflower cannabis seeds from Fast Buds is a range of rapid growth strains, including our originals line:
We are also proud to be on the cutting edge of the autoflower cannabis seeds industry. That’s why recently we have added the following strains:
With our optimised genetics your Fast Buds auto seeds will not only be ready to harvest in just 9 weeks, but also be tough enough to grow both indoors and outdoors. Our customers span the globe and no matter their climate find autoflowering seeds the ideal solution for growing their own cannabis.
Since developing the optimum autoflowering genetics needed to produce beautiful strains our skilled team have worked on incorporating these into the most iconic strains. Over time we have also optimised for potent THC levels, so those buying autoflower marijuana seeds from us find a powerful end product that delivers an outstanding high when smoked.
The science of creating autoflowering marijuana seeds is simple for anyone that has grown plants in the past, even if never cannabis. Like any plant, the all-encompassing term ‘cannabis’ actually covers a multitude of different subspecies, all with their own different traits but with few covering everything the modern weed enthusiast wants when growing their own strains.
Two examples of subspecies are known very well by the weed community, Indica and Sativa. These produce the desirable effects we all want when consuming cannabis thanks to the unique traits of them as subspecies. However, these subspecies also have negatives, such as developing based on light cycle which can make home growing more challenging and more laborious.
Autoflower marijuana seeds are created using Cannabis ruderalis genetics which contain the autoflowering traits needed. Native to colder climates with shorter summers, such as central and eastern Europe, this variant flowers based on time and age, as opposed to sunlight exposure levels.
Despite the fine autoflower traits, Cannabis ruderalis are small plants that are intrinsically low in THC. By crossbreeding effectively with Indica and Sativa strains our experts at Fast Buds are able to produce autoflower marijuana seeds that produce rich, resin-soaked buds that are high in THC and ready to harvest in as little as 9 weeks.
No, all of our genetics are specially selected to develop certain traits such as flower production, smell, effect, and structure. Apart from the traits mentioned, all of our genetics are feminized, this means that our strains are selected and bred in order to not show hermaphroditic traits, resulting in almost 100% female plants.
For those of you that don’t know what hermaphrodites are, hermies are basically mixed-sex plants, meaning that hermies are plants that grow both male and female sex organs; When the pollen sacs open, they end up pollinating the buds, which will end up producing seedy buds.
Now, due to the nature of cannabis, marijuana seeds can become hermaphrodites if they’re suffering from stressful conditions such as extreme hot or cold, pests, mold, overwatering and overfeeding. Remember that this has nothing to do with the genetics per se due to being a way cannabis has to perpetuate their species if they feel like they’re about to die so if you’re having issues with hermaphrodites, make sure to check your growing conditions!
As a leading autoflowering cannabis seed bank, Fast Buds always makes sure that all of our marijuana seeds are thoroughly tested before entering the market, that’s why we guarantee a 98% germination rate. It’s important to bear in mind that marijuana seeds are living things and their viability can be influenced by the environment they’re stored in. In the case of a seed failing to germinate, you can contact us by filling out our warranty form and we’ll send you a replacement free of charge!
After you buy cannabis seeds, you should store them properly. Your automatic marijuana seeds can be viable for up to 10 years if kept in perfect conditions, remember marijuana seeds are alive after all. You should keep marijuana seeds in between 8-12 ºC (45-55 ºF) or if you can’t use a fridge, keep them away from light and humidity, and as close as possible to these temperatures.
Successful germination is a crucial first step in a grow cycle. As such it’s important to follow the correct process once you have purchased your autoflowering seeds. The perfect conditions when germinating autoflowers are a temperature between 21-26°C and the humidity as close as 90% as possible.
Depending on the age and level of experience with growing you can select from a range of methods to being the germination process, the most common being:
Jiffy pods, starter cubes and seedling plugs
Jiffy pods or similars make germination quite easy, you just have to place the seed in pre-made hole and pinch the top to close it and water as directed; It's really hard to mess it up and, as long as the conditions are good for germination, there’s almost no room for error.
Planting directly in the medium
Sometimes the natural way is the best way; Just like in nature where weed seeds germinate directly in the soil, you can plant your weed seeds directly in the final pot. One of the biggest benefits is that you don’t run the risk of stressing or shocking your seedlings such as you would when transplanting because your plant is already in the final pot.
But, The most common of which is the paper towel method. This involves layering damp paper towels under and over the feminized seeds, then sealing in the moisture with plates above and below.
There are a variety of methods and depending on your budget and growing conditions they may be more suitable then the traditional paper towel method. For a full breakdown of the germination options available to you check out our detailed germination guide for autoflowering seeds.
When compared to regular strains, autoflowers grow and flower faster, resulting in an overall faster grow cycle but this depends on the specific genetics you’re growing. Indica dominant-strains tend to take less time because they grow more compact and shorter while Sativa-dominant strains grow taller which ends up adding everywhere from 1-3 weeks to the to grow cycle, which is completely normal.
This means that depending on the strain, autos can take as little as 7 weeks or as long as 11 weeks, depending on the genetics but, in general, autoflowering genetics take 9 weeks which can be divided into the following stages:
Just have in mind that these times are based on strains that take 9 weeks from seed to harvest in ideal conditions. If you encounter any problems that slow down growth such as cold temperatures, overfeeding, or any deficiencies, the growth cycle may be affected and it can end up adding a couple of weeks to the total number of weeks.
Also remember that the nutrients, lighting, substrate and pot size will affect how your plant grows so it’s vital that you take all things in consideration and provide the best conditions that you can.
The main difference when you buy cannabis seeds is their genetics and how they start flowering; As you may know, the vegetative stage is where your plants are directing their energy to nutrient absorption, root development and foliage production. After this stage, the plants will start producing flowers depending on the amount of darkness and light they get (aka light cycle). This is why they’re called photoperiodic but autoflowers are a little bit different.
Autoflowering genetics do not require a different light cycle to trigger flowering because they’re genetically selected to flower based on their age, which is a huge advantage if you’re looking for a plant that delivers in both yields and quality while being easy to take care of and grow way faster.
If you are growing for the first time then the amount of choices for your grow cycle can seem overwhelming. Poor planning and thought will lead to a poor yield and at worse will lead to the plant not maturing fully at all.
There is so much to learn when it comes to growing autoflower seeds, to start our top tips would be:
Most growers usually perform basic training to get the most out of each seed without stressing them because this may end up stunting growth and result in an underwhelming harvest but, if you have enough experience, you can definitely perform any of the plant training techniques mentioned below, just make sure you do it carefully to avoid stressing your plants. There are two types of plant training methods:
Low-stress training
Low-stress training (aka LST) consists of gently bending the stems either by tying them down or bending them under a scrog net to change a plant’s shape and height; this allows growers to even out the canopy and helps the light reach all the flowering sites equally without stressing your plants too much, hence the name Low-stress training.
High-stress training
High-stress training (aka HST) basically results in the same as low-stress training but unlike LST, it’s achieved by mutilating your plant, which may end up heavily stressing your plant. This technique also results in better bud development but may not be the best for autoflowers if you don’t have experience with training technique and growing autos.
Now that you know a little bit about plant training, here are the main training techniques recommended for autoflowers, just remember that if you’re a beginner you should not perform HST until you’re quite experienced to avoid ruining your harvest.
What’s the Difference between LST and HST?
As you’ve read, both plant training techniques allow you to shape your plant in any way you want to but they use different techniques to achieve it. There aren’t a lot of differences between them other than how it’s done because high stress training basically consists of mutilating your plant while low stress training consists of gently bending the branches.
The tie-down method can be used to maximize yields by spacing out the branches to provide better air flow and increase light penetration with minimal stress, this technique is especially useful if you have a limited grow space or want to fit as many plants as possible in your grow tent because it allows you to control both vertical and horizontal plant growth.
Pros of Tying Down Branches
Cons of Tying Down Branches
How to do it?
Tying down the branches is super easy. As the name suggests, you just have to tie down the main cola and branches when your plant has completely developed 3 pairs of leaves. So start by carefully bending down the main cola, secure it in place with the material of choice and then tie it to the sides of the pot. A couple of days later, you’ll notice that your plant continues growing upwards so identify the higher branches and tie them down too. After the initial tie downs, your plant will develop a more even canopy but the training doesn’t stop there. The branches and main cola will continue to grow upwards until the pre-flowering technique so in order to maintain the desired shape, continue tying the branches and adjusting the ties so they’re always holding the branches from the tip. Repeat it until you’ve reached the desired shape, once you’ve reached your objective and your plant is big enough, you can go ahead and flip to 12/12. After flowering your plant won’t grow much so you can remove the ties and let your plant flower normally.
Growing under a scrog net is another way of controlling plant growth while minimizing stress; this method works by placing a net above the canopy, and bending the branches and mains stem. This technique will not only control height but also provide support if needed so it’s definitely recommended if you have a large number of plants and don’t want to tie down every individual branch.
Pros of Scrogging
Cons of Scrogging
How to do it?
If you want to experiment with scrogging, you only need a scrog net and patience. Make sure to measure everything first, cut the net into the desired size and fasten it to the structure of the grow tent. Make sure it isn’t too tight so that you can adjust the height if needed. For this technique, it’s recommended to grow fewer plants in larger pots. In most cases, 4 plants in 20-liter containers are ideal for 1 square meter and should fill the whole scrog net in 6-8 weeks. If you’re growing autoflowering strains, you may need to grow more plants because autoflowers usually grow shorter but you can definitely scrog autoflowers and get great results. Remember to adjust the scrog net when needed because all plants grow differently, sometimes you’ll need to lower or raise the scrog net. Once your plants have started flowering the canopy should be even and with multiple flowering sites all over.
Supercropping or just pinching and bending is a high-stress technique that can give good results if done properly, This technique can definitely be used with autos but make sure the growing conditions are on point so you don’t stunt growth and your plants can recover fast as possible.
Pros of Supercropping
Cons of Supercropping
How to do it?
Supercropping is probably one of the fastest plant training techniques because it can be done in 2 simple steps and you don’t need any tools but you definitely need to understand how cannabis plants grow and imagine your goal before starting. So once your plant has developed around 6 nodes, start by thinking on where it would be better to supercrop for the canopy to develop even, then identify the right spot and supercrop all the necessary branches. The top part of the branches are more flexible and easier to bend so grab a branch, hold it between your fingers and gently squeeze it, the branch should feel soft and limp, once it feels soft then gently bend it at a 90-degree angle. This is it! Obviously, you’ll have to continue to do it to the rest of the branches if you feel it’s necessary but the process is the same, it’s just a matter of repeating it until the canopy is nice and even.
Topping is another high-stress technique that results in growth similar to what you would get with scrogging but most often not very good for autos if you don’t have much experience because it consists of mutilating the top growth which can be quite stressful so be extremely careful.
Pros of Topping
Cons of Topping
How to do it?
Topping is usually done when your plant has developed between 3 to 5 nodes, just keep in mind that most growers wait until the plant has developed a minimum of 5 nodes. Also, it’s recommended to do it only if your plant is tall and healthy enough, meaning that topping may not be ideal for all strains. So grab sharp scissors, clean them with rubbing alcohol and remove the tip of the top growth. Make sure to cut the top growth without removing nearby leaves and branches to avoid stressing your plant even more. Once you’ve topped your plant, it may feel like it’s growing slow but don’t worry, that’s because your plant needs to recover but as soon as it recovers, you’ll notice how there are two branches growing upwards and this is how you know you’ve topped your plant correctly. If you are aiming for even more branching, you can continue topping the new growth until reaching your goal. Have in mind that topping slows down vegetative growth so the more you top, the longer the vegetative period will be.
In short, yes. Due to autoflowering marijuana not depending on the light cycle to trigger flowering, you can grow them all year long but for the best results possible, it’s recommended that you plan ahead so your plants get the most amount of sunlight and don’t suffer when it snows.
When you buy autoflower weed seeds from Fast Buds you are purchasing a product that is designed to be grown both indoors and outdoors.
By providing your feminized seeds with a basic level of protection from pests and the elements, like rain and excessive cold, then your plants will flourish. It’s important however to bear in mind that the overall yield will be dependent on the amount of light exposure, so it may be more beneficial to grow indoors at certain times of the year.
It’s recommended for first time outdoor growers to opt for Indica dominant strains, which are traditionally more acclimated to colder, tougher conditions. If you have any questions on the ideal starter strains for autoflowering seeds then get in touch with us for more help.
We’ve also covered the growing process in depth in our guide on Growing Autoflower Seeds Outdoors, which is ideal to consult once you have purchased your autoflower seeds.
Growing autoflowers indoors
When growing autoflowering marijuana indoors you have more control over the elements and, due to autos don’t depending on a light cycle, you can provide anywhere from 18-24 hours of light per day.
A 18/6 light cycle will provide the energy your plants need while still saving a bit of money on the electricity bill but, if money isn’t a problem, you can keep a 20/4 or 24/0 light cycle from seed to harvest, resulting in faster plant growth and better yields.
The best conditions for your autoflowers
Despite being extremely resilient, it’s recommended to maintain certain temperatures and relative humidity levels to obtain the best results so it’s recommended to maintain the following growing conditions within the acceptable range:
Obviously, it will be much easier to maintain these conditions when growing indoors due to having specific equipment to do so; When growing outdoors there’s not much to do other than planning ahead and starting your grow cycle when the conditions are a close as possible to the conditions mentioned above.
Autoflowering plants grow according to their genetic timeline, meaning that not all strains will grow and flower at the exact same time. Now, if you’re growing feminized seeds from the same strain it’s highly likely that they start to flower at the same time but if you’re growing different genetics in the same space, they will probably start flowering 1-3 weeks earlier or later so make sure you plan ahead and keep this in mind, especially when growing indoors.
Always remember that breeders have top-of-the-line equipment and the seed to harvest time specified is based on those conditions so if you’re having trouble maintaining good growing conditions, your plant may take a little bit longer to be ready for harvest but it definitely won’t affect bud quality and quantity so don’t worry.
Growers love using autoflower weed seeds due to the simple, rapid turnaround to harvest. Those growing standard strains will know about the uncertainty with regards to the optimum light cycle when growing, and without autoflowering traits this needs to be sustained for a longer period of time.
We have covered the topic of the best light cycles for autoflowering seeds in depth previously. To summarise our recommendations from the article the best way to grow most autoflowers is using an 18/6 split between light and dark. This provides adequate time for the plant to rest between growth periods when exposed to natural or artificial light.
Autoflowering strains are known for being hardy, and as such if you wish to opt for a different light cycle your cannabis will still grow well, but is less likely to yield highly in most cases. Other commonly used methods give a shorter rest period, such as 20/4, while some swear by growing in 24 hour light.
The latter we would be reluctant to recommend to most growers, as the break from the light cycle allows the plant to rest and recover. Imagine if you had to workout for 24 hours straight! Much like humans, all plants, including autoflower seeds, need time to rest to perform at their best.
Light Cycle | Result |
|---|---|
18/6 | Normal growth rate and expected yields |
20/4 | Faster growth and bigger yields than average |
24/0 | Faster overall development but can stress some strains |
Autoflowers don’t need special light fixtures, you can grow them under any light fixture you prefer or have available but for the best results it’s recommended to provide a minimum of 75 watts if using light bulbs or the equivalent for LEDs which is around 50 watts.
Metal Halide
MH bulbs are quite good for the first couple of weeks, you will still have a good harvest if you use an MH bulb for the entire grow cycle but it’s recommended that you change to an HPS bulb to maximize bud production So if you have to choose between an MH or HPS bulb for the whole cycle, we recommend using HPS bulbs.
Ceramic Metal Halide
CMH bulbs are kind of an improved version of MH, using less power to provide the same or even better plant growth and trichome production than regular MH but they emit less what so for those that live in cold climates it may become a bit hard to maintain good temperatures.
High Pressure Sodium and Double Ended-HPS
It’s highly recommended that you use HPS bulbs during flower due to the light spectrum and power, these bulbs will produce very healthy plants, dense buds and impressive yields, and if using a ballast, will allow you to control the light intensity which is always a plus.
LEDs
Nowadays lots of growers are migrating to LEDs due to the full-spectrum offered and their effectiveness, despite the high cost, these fixtures produce really impressive results with relatively low power, which makes it worth it if you’re planning on using them for at least 2-3 years.
Also, the light spectrum has a big role when growing so it’s highly recommended that you provide a “blue” spectrum such as MH or CMH during the vegetative stage and “red” spectrum during the flowering stage such as HPS or DE-HPS; When growing under LEDs a full-spectrum fixture will do the trick.
Apart from the spectrum there are other things you should have in mind when choosing your light fixture such as efficiency and PPFD.
Light Efficiency
Light efficiency refers to the wattage a certain light needs to produce a certain amount of PPFD and it’s vital you know a certains light efficiency because this is what will make you save money in the long run. To achieve a better efficiency, manufacturers need to use a good LED driver and more individual LED diodes that run at a lower current and emit less heat, thus resulting in a longer lifespan.
Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD)
The light efficiency is directly related to PPFD because, as said above, light efficiency is how much power a certain light needs to emit a certain amount of photons. Now, have in mind that PPFD is not the same as PPF; PPF is the amount of light produced by a light fixture while PPFD is how much light reaches your plants so you don’t really need to know how much light that fixture produces but you definitely need how much reaches your plants.
So basically, light efficiency is calculated by dividing the PPF by the actual power consumption (wattage) and, the higher the result, the more efficient your light fixture is.
Thanks to their embedded autoflowering traits there are a number of strains that can withstand harsher environments than traditional strains. That being said if you are planning to grow outdoors in wet or cold weather conditions then selecting a tough strain is essential.
If the above applies to you then we would recommend the following strains:
For an even more extensive list of our recommendations, check out our previous post on the top 10 autoflowering strains to grow outdoors.
Growing is a science, and as such yields can vary depending on the conditions and quality of the grow cycle. That being said our team are experts in perfecting growing, and as such we can advise you that in the correct conditions these autoflowers will provide the highest yields:
For more details on the above strains and their typical traits once harvested check out our article on the top 5 highest yielding autoflowering cannabis strains.
Regardless of how you choose to consume your buds once yielded, there's no doubt that potent amounts of THC is the most important factor to the quality and intensity of the high. If you are an experienced smoker, or looking to cultivate for those that are more acclimated to regular cannabis use, then a high THC% is essential.
Through genetic engineering and the finest breeding processes we have successfully produced strains that are among the biggest producers in terms of THC available. Typically what we consider our strongest strains are:
For more details on the above strains and their typical traits once harvested check out our article on the top 5 highest THC autoflowering strains.
Yes, if you are looking to take advantage of the medical benefits of CBD we also offer strains that are genetically engineered for this purpose.
For those looking only for CBD without the effects of THC our CBD Auto 20:1 is an excellent choice. With THC levels as low as 0.3% this strain is legal to smoke in many countries, and with CBD at 20% consumption can help with conditions such as chronic pain.
If you are looking for a balanced strain, or are new to cannabis consumption and are interested in the effects of THC, then we recommend CBD Auto 1:1. At 7% THC and 7% CBD the medical benefits and enjoyment while smoking are perfectly balanced.
There are several ways to use CBD-rich feminized seeds, in most cases, medical users have health issues and cannot actually smoke CBD strains but luckily for you, you can vaporize it to avoid harmful smoke or make several infused products such as edibles, oils, creams and gels which will surely alleviate pain or other symptoms without actually having the psychoactive effects that most medical users do not want to feel.
Buying feminized seeds is fast becoming the main choice for both commercial and personal growers.
In the commercial sector growers enjoy using autoflowers for their convenience and fast turn around. Coupled with the recent development in genetics it means that commercial growers opt for high yields, THC content or even compact size to allow the maximum number of crops in a given area.
Those that grow for personal use enjoy buying feminized seeds for similar reasons. In addition the selected genetics mean that the grow process is a lot more forgiving for novice growers. Thanks to shorter turnaround times and strains that are suited to outdoor growing, personal use growers can get all the benefits of their own supply with very little effort.
Soil is often underutlised by amatuer growers, it’s a common misconception that the soil is merely there to keep the plant upright! Soil is, in effect, one of the most important parts of growing a healthy plant with dense, resin soaked buds.
If you are looking for a simple solution for your first grow then organic soil is best suited. The fact the soil is in a constant state of decomposition means nutrients are released regularly to your plant, giving plenty to fuel growing. Additives such as Coco, Biochar or Perlite can be mixed into the soil as well, each of which has its own unique benefits.
The quality of the soil itself is simple to assess. A good quality soil will be labeled with detailed nutritional information, be fairly light and free of major density and clumps. The best soil is often lacking in smell as well, if your soil is pungent then it is likely full of bad bacteria and shouldn’t be used.
We’ve covered which soil is best for autoflower seeds previously in a lot more detail if you want to fully brush up prior to buying autoflower seeds.
If you don’t want to use soil as your substrate of choice, you can always opt for any of the following substrates:
These substrates offer different characteristics so the should be mixed according to your growing conditions, for example, if your humidity is too high you should add 20-40% perlite to your preferred substrate mix or, if the humidity is too high, add 20-30% vermiculite or peat moss.
In regular growing conditions, we highly recommend a substrate mix of 70-80% coco with 20-30% perlite for a good alternative to soil.
The water’s pH level can affect which nutrients your plant absorbs, it really doesn’t matter where the water comes from as long as the pH is within the acceptable range. The ideal pH will depend on the substrate you’re growing in and the fertilizers you’re using but in general, we recommend adjusting the pH to 6.0-7.0 when growing in soil and 5.5-6.5 when growing in hydro or coco fiber.
There’s no way to know exactly how much water you need to water with because the watering schedule will depend on your specific growing conditions. This happens because the humidity levels, temperature, light intensity, substrate, pot size and everything else will affect how water evaporates and dictates how long it takes for the substrate to dry out. As a guideline, you should water your seedling with 100ml of water and gradually increase the amount of water as your plant grows. The main objective is to water your plant every 2-3 days once the substrate is around 70% dry.
For those who have lots of growing space, it’s recommended to use 12-liter pots to allow the plant to grow to its maximum potential but depending on your setup and the space you have available, it’s possible to control their height; By choosing the right pot size you can control the size your plant will grow to, a general guideline is:
Pot Size In Liters | Approximate Plant Size in Cm |
|---|---|
1 | 15 cm |
3 | 25 cm |
5 | 60 cm |
11 or more | Full plant height |
You can use both organic and synthetic nutrients when growing autoflowers but autos need fewer nutrients than other types of feminized seeds and most fertilizers are designed for non-autos so it really doesn’t matter what type of fertilizers you use as long as you start with a lower nutrient dose. Now, some strains may require more than others so it’s recommended that you start with ⅓ or ½ of the recommended dose and gradually increase it if you feel like your plant needs it. As a guideline, you can follow this general schedule:
Now, the table above is a general guideline but you can be more specific depending on the fertilizers you are using. As you may know, organic fertilizers make the nutrients available in the substrate for your plant to feed whenever it needs to. Despite seeming like growing organically is harder, it’s not and there are several ways you can do it such as:
But if you want a simple and effective way, we recommend the mixing following with 1L of substrate (either coco or soil; Perlite optional):
Organic Worm Castings | 500g | Bat Guano | 50g | Azomite | 16g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Humic Acid | 2.5g | Rock Phosphate | 38g | Epsom Salts | 25g |
Bone Meal | 50g | Blood Meal | 50g | Dolomite | 16g |
Yes! You definitely can grow autoflowers hydroponically and have great results, it’s just a matter of having the growing conditions on point and, most important of all, making sure you check the pH, temperature and PPM of the nutrient solution.
For those of you who don’t know, the nutrient solution’s pH is what will allow your plants to absorb certain nutrients so even if you’re feeding your plant properly, the pH can cause nutrient block and your plant won’t be able to absorb them, this is why you should keep the pH around 5.5-5.8.
Another important thing is the PPM or EC because when measuring it, you will know exactly how much nutrients your water contains and this is essential for hydroponic growing, as a guideline, the nutrient solution’s temperature should be around 20°C and the PPM values should be the following (approximately):
There are several hydroponic setups and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, among the most common for autoflowers are:
Deep Water Culture (DWC)
Deep water culture or DWC is a hydroponic grow setup that consists of growing plants in special pots or nets (with or without perlite, coco or clay pebbles) with their roots hanging down, having part of them submerged in a nutrient solution and part hanging in midair, this way they can feed while having lots of oxygen available.
Aeroponics
Aeroponics is very similar to DWC but instead of the roots being partially submerged, the entire root system is hanging in midair while an automated sprinkler moistens them every 3-5min, this way they get nutrients and oxygen, just like in a DWC. Have in mind that when growing aeroponically you should use a light proof and waterproof reservoir to avoid mold and help create a humid environment for the roots to thrive.
Drip irrigation
Drip irrigation consists of using thin tubes placed on top of the soil with a dripper at the tip which will feed nutrient solution drop by drop all day long. You can also program it to work every 15 min or however you wish to, making sure that your plants are not getting too much water. This is a great way to grow autoflowers because you avoid overfeeding due to your plants getting small amounts of nutrients all day long instead of getting a lot just once every 2-3 days.
Knowing when to harvest your autoflower seeds can be tricky, and for many first time growers will be desperate to pick the buds once they are looking fully formed.
After around 5 weeks of growth you should be entering the phase where bud growth is more prevalent, then by week 7-8 the buds will be at their largest. However this is not the best time to harvest them! Instead keep an eye on what your plant is telling you, once you have flushed it in the last weeks before the cycle you will notice less nutrition is taken by the plant and a yellowing can start to occur.
You’ll also notice the smell of the plant intensifies as the growing cycle comes to an end, this means energy is being directed towards bud growth. Visually you will notice the stigmas are turning brown and the trichomes becoming dense, then you know your buds are ready for harvest. So as a guideline, you should pay attention to the following:
Harvesting early often results in a less potent effect, and in hybrid strains when consumed a more sativa dominance. When leaving the buds for too long the over ripeness produces a heavy indica effect, so bear this in mind before harvesting.
Once you have reached this point, it’s time to check the trichome color; For those of you who don’t know, trichomes are the crystals you see on cannabis starting from the pre-flowering stage, this crystals not only produce but also store the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and other compounds that are responsible for the effect, this is why trichome color indicates the type of effect you will get, there are basically three different colors:
This is the standard practice that both commercial and home growers use because it allows you to get an effect that better suits your needs, this is why it’s extremely important to buy cannabis seeds based on the effect you want and then experimenting with different trichome colors.
A lot of knowing when to harvest is based on your plant’s appearance and behavior. For a more detailed look check out our guide on harvesting autoflowering plants.
Both THC and CBD are cannabinoids produced by feminized seeds in the trichomes and both of them affect the endocannabinoids system. Researchers are still trying to understand exactly how it works but we already know THC is absorbed by CB1 receptors in our central nervous system, causing psychoactive effects while CBD is absorbed by CB2 receptors in our peripheral nervous system, causing corporal effects. This is why consuming cannabis can affect several processes such as memory, appetite, sleep and mood.
Are there other cannabinoids?
Yes, definitely. Cannabis plants don’t only produce THC and CBD, in fact, researchers think cannabis plants may produce over 100 cannabinoids but most of them are produced in extremely low levels, at least in commercial strains, which makes it hard for researchers to study them. Obviously, the most famous cannabinoids are THC and CBD but cannabis plants produce other cannabinoids such as:
But all these different terpenes aren’t directly made, cannabis plants actually produce acids that must then be activated (decarboxylated) by applying heat, this means that cannabis plants don’t produce THC and CBD, they actually produce THCA and CBDA which then turn into THC and CBD by applying heat. Despite producing these different cannabinoids in the same way plants produce THC, for example, the only cannabinoid we know that produces psychoactive effects for sure is THC. The other cannabinoids may have the potential to get you high but depend on the dose you’re consuming and due to not being present in high quantities, it’s hard to know.
But, even though they’re not psychoactive by themselves, researchers suspect they might influence how THC and CBD affect you, known as the entourage effect.
What is the Entourage Effect?
When you smoke or vaporize cannabis you’re not only consuming THC and CBD, you’re actually consuming a specific combination of hundreds of different chemical compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. These different combinations provide specific effects, this means that one strain might have the same compounds as another one but due to the different concentrations, the effect may be slightly different. And obviously, if the chemical compounds produced are different (like when growing two completely different strains) the effect will be completely different.
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in most plants and herbs, including cannabis. These terpenes are usually used to create flavors and scents in everyday products such as foods, perfumes and creams. In cannabis plants, for example, terpenes help attract pollinators while keeping predators away while playing an important role in plant health because they help keep germs away.
What Are Flavonoids?
Flavonoids are a group of chemical compounds that mainly affect the pigmentation of cannabis plants but can also affect the aroma and flavor of the buds. Flavonoids are found in many plants and in the majority of fruits and vegetables. These chemical compounds also play a minor role in protecting plants against UV rays, pathogens and bugs. Most cannabis consumers think the smell and flavors of cannabis plants are only due to terpenes but flavonoids play an important role in the different qualities that distinguish different strains. Something similar to the entourage effect happens with terpenes and flavonoids due to the qualities both terpenes and flavonoids share with each other. Flavonoids also affect the pigmentation of cannabis plants, being responsible for the beautiful purple, bue, pink, red and all other colors you may find on cannabis plants.
Trimming consists of removing the excess foliage and sometimes stigmas (hairs) to shape the buds and make it more appealing; The objective is to remove everything that doesn’t have any trichomes on it and create a uniform surface around the buds. This will not only result in better-looking buds but can also help your drying process, there are basically two types of trimming: wet trimming and dry trimming.
Wet trimming
Trimming your cannabis before drying is known as wet trim because the leaves are still fresh (or “wet”) during trimming. This method is preferred by most growers because it’s easier to trim fresh leaves than dry and brittle leaves but it’s more recommended if you’re suffering from a high humidity in your dry room.
Dry trimming
Dry trimming consists of trimming after drying, when the leaves are completely dry. This is usually done by commercial growers or those that have a proper drying room because the extra humidity in the leaves may increase the humidity levels in the drying room so it’s only recommended if the humidity and temperature in your drying room are on point.
The drying process consists of evaporating the excess humidity in the buds, preparing them for curing and consuming. Now, drying isn’t very hard, it’s just a matter of harvesting your plant and hanging them upside down or placing them on a drying rack; For the best results possible, you should keep the following conditions in the drying room :
After harvesting and drying, curing is the last step before you’re actually able to consume your harvest. The curing process consists of placing the buds in a hermetic glass jar to allow the trichomes to mature properly and result in a better tasting and smelling harvest. The conditions for the curing process should be the following:
Apart from vaporizing and smoking it, you can consume your harvest in several different ways because what provides the medical or recreational effects are actually the trichomes and not the plant matter itself. So if you want to experiment with different ways of consuming cannabis (or just cannot smoke due to a health problem), you can also consume it in creams, oils, edibles, and extracts. But first of all, you need to decarboxylate it.
Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that happens when you apply heat to a certain cannabinoid, which removes a carbon atom from the carbon chain, thus “activating” the cannabinoid. So basically, THCA turns into THC and it can now provide the psychoactive effects everyone knows.
How to decarboxylate cannabis?
Decarboxylating your cannabis is extremely simple: grab around 10 grams of cannabis flower, manually break it into fairly small pieces, spread it evenly on a baking sheet, and heat it in the oven at 100 °C for 25 - 30 minutes. After the 25 - 30 minutes have passed, let it cool down to room temperature and you can make your own cannabis-infused oil or butter!
Making your own cannabis-infused oils, butters or edibles is really simple. So first of all, you have to decide what you want to make. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, ghee and butter among others. All you have to do is add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of butter or oil into a pot, simmer on low and let the butter melt. Once the butter has melted, add the decarboxylated cannabis and maintain low heat (between 75-85°C) and let it simmer for 2 - 3 hours without letting it come to a full boil. Remember the oil or butter should turn into a nice golden color, if it starts turning green it’s time to end the process. After your cannabis-infused butter or oil is done then you can just use it however you want!
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