Autoflowering cannabis plants grow automatically from seed to harvest, without the need to change light cycles. This means they can be grown indoors in a window sill, on a porch or anywhere you have a sunny spot.
Plants can take around 8 to 12 weeks from seed to flower, depending on the strain you choose. This is because they are hybrids and each strain has its own genetic profile, which can have a significant impact on their life cycle.
Germination
Germination is the first step in the autoflower seedling’s life cycle. This is the time when the cannabis seed develops a root and shoot that can grow to the surface and absorb enough light to power future photosynthesis.
A 3 week old cannabis autoflower plant is considered a seedling when it’s in this stage, ready to soak up more light and nutrients before entering vegetative growth. It’s also a good time to make sure your grow room is properly prepared with the right soil mix.
The genetics of an autoflower strain will dictate the length of veg it goes through before transitioning into bloom. Some strains will complete veg and begin flowering within a few weeks, while others may take longer.
Once in bloom, your autoflower will put all of its energy into producing a huge harvest. This is where patience is key, as you want to get the best buds possible out of your crop!
Vegetative Growth
Autoflowers are ready to harvest in 8-12 weeks from seed, but varying strains can take different amounts of time to reach this stage. Sativa strains usually fall towards the faster end of this spectrum, while Indica phenotypes will generally take longer.
Plants in this vegetative phase need 18-24 hours of light per day to develop a healthy root system and grow taller. Many growers use an 18/6 light cycle for this period, but some plants can be troubled by excessively high PPFD levels when they are under this schedule.
This is why it’s important to check nutrient levels carefully at this point. Make sure that you are using a foliar spray with the correct amount of potassium and magnesium to ensure your plants have everything they need for growth and bud production during this stage.
It’s also a good idea to start defoliating the lower part of your plant now that it is beginning to show buds. This will provide more light to the lower parts of your plant and allow it to absorb more nutrients from the soil.
Flowering
Autoflowers are genetically designed to switch from veg to flower without needing to change their light schedule. This allows them to grow to harvest sooner than a typical photoperiod cannabis strain.
These plants also have a shorter vegetative growth cycle than photoperiod strains, typically 3-4 weeks. This is ideal for cultivators who are time-poor or have busy lives.
As with any crop, it is important to maintain consistent feeding and nutrient control during this stage. Keep track of your results, and make any adjustments necessary to improve yields.
If your cannabis plant is close to flowering, you may want to consider topping it in order to maximize light distribution. This will ensure that you have a wide range of buds throughout the canopy. Topping isn’t something that should be done too early, however, as it can stress the plant. It’s best to wait until the plant has more than 5 nodes before pruning the top.
Harvest
An auto-flowering cannabis plant automatically enters the flowering stage after a specific period of time. Unlike photoperiod strains, auto-flowering plants don’t need a set light cycle to bloom, making them a popular choice for inexperienced growers and those who don’t have the space or time to cultivate a traditional plant.
The best part is that SSSC auto-flowering strains are bred to be easy to grow, delivering heavy yields of potent THC. They also perform better under high-stress training (HST) than photoperiod varieties.
As the 3 week old cannabis auto flowers enter the flowering phase, their pistils will turn brownish-red and the trichomes will become thick and milky white. This is when they are ready for harvest.
At this point, the bud is mature and has a resinous coating that is incredibly thick and glistening. Many auto flowers are ready for harvest at this point, but it is important to be patient as each strain has a different life cycle.
However, there are now some emerging growing methods. The LetPot Senior Hydroponics Growing System is an established system of producing herbs, peppers, salads and tomatoes and these are more liked for the inrained fast harvesting property. Serious growers feel ridiculous at the thought of growing Marijuana in their LetPot.
But, the most recounted truth is that there are numerous gardeners who have established the fact that this type of garden system is capable of bringing up cannabis plants with countable success. Yes, there were few setbacks in continuing with the whole process. Yet, the fact persists that LetPot have been proved as ideal platform for producing these hydroponic weeds.
