The world of growing cannabis is becoming increasingly diverse, with many kinds of strains available. But one thing remains consistent: the result is still the same—a plant you can eventually harvest and smoke. Marijuana is currently totally legal in many states. States like Mississippi, however, only permit it for medical purposes. Therefore, those who want to buy it must have a Mississippi medical marijuana card. Whether you’re interested in growing your own weed or just want to try it out, you’ll need to decide between feminized and autoflowering seeds.
Table of Contents
What are Autoflower Cannabis Seeds?
An autoflowering cannabis plant starts flowering automatically once it reaches maturity. This happens due to changes in the DNA or genetic code of the plant itself. The genetics of autoflowering cannabis plants can be passed on from generation to generation by breeding with other plants with similar characteristics.
These seeds are great for beginners and people who want to grow cannabis independently without the help of a grower or botanist.
If you’re new to growing cannabis, autoflowering seeds are a good choice. They bloom automatically, so you don’t have to monitor them constantly. They’re also easier to cultivate than feminized seeds because they don’t require as much attention. And as for size, autoflower cannabis seeds are usually smaller than feminized seeds. They’re also quicker to harvest because they don’t need as much time in the vegetative stage before they start flowering.
What are Feminized Cannabis Seeds?
Feminized seeds are made by crossing two female plants, then selecting the resulting seeds. This process guarantees that the plant will be female and have a better chance of producing female offspring. However, it also means that you’re paying for more expensive seeds, and they’re less likely to produce male plants than autoflowering varieties.
Feminized marijuana seeds are best suited for growers who want something reliable and consistent every time they grow. If you’re looking for variety in your garden or want some help figuring out how long certain strains take to flower, autos might be right up your alley!
Harvest time and lighting demands
Autoflowering cannabis plants are usually ready for harvest after 9-11 weeks. This is compared to feminized strains, which can take 12-14 weeks. Autoflowering plants require less light and nutrients but have a shorter flowering period. The flowering period for autoflowering strains is typically between 8 and 10 weeks, while that of feminized plants is closer to 12 weeks.
In terms of how long it takes for an autoflowering plant to grow into maturity, this depends on the strain you’re growing and the environment it grows in. If you have a more temperate climate with plenty of sunlight during the day, your autoflowering crops will mature faster than those grown in a cooler environment with less sunlight.
Indoor/outdoor cultivation?
The popularity of autoflowering strains is partially due to their ability to grow indoors. Autoflowering plants don’t need access to natural light, so they’re more compact than regular plants and can be grown in places where space is limited. They also tend to produce larger yields compared to outdoor growing, so you’ll get more bang for your buck growing them indoors!
Potency
Females generally produce more THC than males. Because most people are looking for a high when it comes time for harvest day, using feminized seeds offers the best chance of getting plenty of potent nugs without having any male plants polluting your precious crop with pollen. In addition to producing more THC per weight/gram than males, females also tend to produce higher amounts of CBD (the non-psychoactive cannabinoid) and CBN (the mildly psychoactive cannabinoid).
Space
With autoflowering seeds, you can grow more plants in the same space and time. This is because autoflowering plants naturally have a shorter life cycle, so they go from seedling to harvest in a shorter amount of time than traditional cannabis plants. Even if you’re not planning on harvesting every plant you grow—say, if you have limited space or just don’t want to smoke all of your buds at once—autoflowers are still worth growing for their ability to give you multiple harvests per year.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference. They each have their pros and cons, and it’s up to you to decide which ones will work best for you. Many traits can be useful when growing cannabis, and if feminized seeds have a trait you specialize in, like producing large yields or high THC content, they might be the best choice for you. Likewise, if you’re looking specifically for autoflowering capability, autoflowering strains can be just as effective as genetic hybrids.
Seed Banks like Herbies head shop will have different strains and varieties of both types. When deciding between autoflowering and feminized seeds, consider whether or not you want to spend more time waiting than you do while cultivating your crop. If you don’t mind sacrificing some yield for convenience and speed, go with an autoflowering strain. If you want the most bang for your buck at the end of the day, then opt for feminized seeds.
