Why Autoflowering Cannabis Strains Are the Best Choice for American Home Growers

01 May 2024
Read on why autoflowering strains are the best choice for US home growers!
01 May 2024
5 min read
Why Autoflowering Cannabis Strains Are the Best Choice for American Home Growers

Contents:
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  • 1. Legality of home growing in the us
  • 2. Versatility for backyard cultivation
  • 3. All-year growing potential
  • 4. Adaptability to greenhouses and discreet cultivation
  • 5. Ideal performance in homemade indoor setups
  • 6. So why start growing your own weed?

As cannabis legalization continues to sweep across the United States, more and more Americans are exploring the option of growing their own cannabis at home. With a wide variety of strains available, it can be challenging to determine which type is the most suitable for home cultivation. However, when it comes to versatility, convenience, and results, autoflowering cannabis strains emerge as the clear winner for American home growers. 

 

American growers talking about FastBuds Genetics in the USA.

Legality of Home Growing in the US

But before diving into the benefits of autoflowering cannabis strains, it's important to understand the legal landscape of home cultivation in the United States. While cannabis remains federally illegal, many states have enacted laws allowing individuals to grow a limited number of plants for personal use. The specific regulations surrounding home growing vary from state to state, with some allowing recreational cultivation, while others permit only medical marijuana patients to grow their own.

 

Why autos are the best choice for american home growers: legality

Legality of cannabis in the US by state.
 

It is essential for aspiring home growers to familiarize themselves with their state's current laws and regulations to ensure compliance. Having said this, let’s break down the advantages of growing autoflowering cannabis strains. 

Versatility for backyard cultivation

The United States are known for their vast residential areas with a significant number of houses that have backyards. According to the National Association of Home Builders, over 60% of American homes have a backyard, with an estimated 39.1 million households participating in vegetable gardening. 

Those who already grow tomatoes, peppers, onions and cucumbers among others are more than halfway there. Growing your own weed can be as simple as planting a seed next to your vegetables, and this is exactly what many outdoor gardeners do. Cannabis thrives on the same substrate, and even its feeding requirements are quite similar to those of the most common vegetables. Even more so when we are talking about autoflowering cannabis, because it needs less nutrients than traditional photoperiodic varieties.

 

Why autos are the best choice for american home growers: backyards vs personal gardens

Most common vegetables found in US personal gardens and their requirements.
 

With a considerable portion of the population having access to backyard spaces and the increasing interest in sustainable cultivation, it’ll only get easier and easier to grow your own food and, thanks to autoflowers, even easier to grow your own weed.

All-Year Growing Potential

In the United States, where climates vary significantly from region to region, the ability to grow plants year-round can be a challenge. For example, the average temperature in June in New Mexico ranges from 86 F to 95 F whereas in Wysconsin can range from 58 F to 78 F, and this can pose a major challenge.

 

Why autos are the best choice for American home growers: climate map

Map of US climate regions.
 

However, autoflowering cannabis presents an advantage in this regard. These plants are not dependent on light cycles and can withstand a wider range of climate conditions, which means they can be grown successfully both indoors and outdoors regardless of the season. Whether you live in a state with harsh winters or in a region with limited sunlight, autos offer the opportunity to cultivate cannabis consistently throughout the year. 

On top of that, autoflowers have a significantly shorter life cycle compared to traditional photoperiod plants. They typically finish from seed to harvest in just 8 to 10 weeks, enabling multiple harvests within a single growing season while needing as little as half of the amount of nutrients compared to other types of cannabis genetics. This allows American home growers to indulge in their passion for gardening and cannabis cultivation regardless of the weather.

Adaptability to Greenhouses and discreet cultivation

For those looking to scale up their home growing operation, autoflowering cannabis strains are an excellent choice for greenhouses as their ability to thrive both in controlled and uncontrolled environments and limited spaces makes them a perfect fit.

These strains are known for their resilience and ability to tolerate fluctuations in temperature and humidity, making them adaptable to varying greenhouse conditions. In addition, they don't need a specific light cycle to switch from vegetation to flowering, so you won't need to worry about covering your greenhouse for light deprivation, or adding additional light sources. Whether you have a compact greenhouse in your backyard or a larger structure dedicated to cannabis cultivation, autoflowers offer an efficient and productive solution.

 

Why autos are the best choice for american home growers: small-scale and discreet cultivation

Autoflowers are generally shorter in stature which allows for more discreet cultivation - Image courtesy of Chubbs.
 

Additionally Autos' are generally compact in size, which allows for discreet cultivation and space optimization, ensuring privacy and minimizing the costs and risk of detection. Whether you have a small backyard, a balcony, or even a hidden corner, autos offer flexibility and the ability to cultivate cannabis without drawing unwanted attention while getting the most out of your grow space.

Ideal Performance in Homemade Indoor Setups

Autoflowering cannabis strains are a game-changer for home growers who prefer indoor cultivation. With their compact size, quick flowering times, ability to adapt to different lighting setups and overall efficiency, autos are perfectly suited for homemade indoor environments.

 

Why autos are the best choice for american home growers: efficiency and speed

Autoflowers on week 1 and week 2. Grown by DaggaDNA.
 

Unlike photoperiod strains that require specific light schedules to initiate flowering, autoflowers transition into the flowering stage automatically, regardless of light exposure. This characteristic simplifies the indoor growing process, making it more accessible for beginners and those with limited space. These characteristics will allow beginners to maximize their yield in a limited space and minimize costs.

So why start growing your own weed?

Home growing allows you to guarantee the quality of the crop. From genetics, to how it was grown, to how it was processed, ensuring that there are no heavy metals or any other harmful or unwanted substances in your final product. Furthermore, growing autoflowering cannabis in your own backyard or any other grow space you have at your disposal, provides a deeper connection to the plant and allows you to have full control over the cultivation process, ensuring you get the most out of your grow setup. 

Besides, autoflowering cannabis strains come in a wide variety of flavors, aromas, and effects. This diversity allows you to experiment with different strains and tailor your experience to better suit your needs.

 

Why autos are the best choice for american home growers: why grow your own?

BasementAutoflowers chose Gorilla Cookies Auto for her unique genetics and exquisite flavor.
 

Whether you're looking for a strain with uplifting effects, medicinal properties, more or less potency, or distinct flavors, autos offer a range of options to cater to your specific desires. 

As you can see, autoflowers offer numerous advantages for American home growers. Their efficiency, compact size, year-round growing potential, and adaptability definitely make them a great choice to grow your own medicine. But don’t think you need a dedicated grow space, you can grow autos on a balcony or even a windowsill. As long as the plant gets enough sunlight and food, you’ll have your own homegrown flower in the blink of an eye!