The work of the industry cannabis since the 1990s has made it possible to maximize the yield of marijuana crops both indoors and outdoors. In this task, the feminized seeds occupy a transcendental place, because of what they offer. For beginners and more experienced growers, feminized varieties stand out for their ease of cultivation.
They allow maximum peace of mind when it comes to detecting male specimens that can destroy bud production. Right next to them are autoflowering varieties, which despite many controversies, remain very popular. Like a controversy THC or CBD, we are now seeing a discussion about the choice of a feminized or autoflowering cannabis variety. Discover here the characteristics of these two varieties in order to make a choice for your next cannabis cultivation.
What are autoflowering cannabis seeds?
THE autoflowering cannabis seeds are a popular choice for beginners because they flower automatically, are easier to grow, smaller in size, and quicker to harvest than feminized seeds. They also require a simple lighting schedule and are more resistant to temperature fluctuations, pests and fungi, making them an ideal way for beginners to get started in growing cannabis.
Nowadays, just like Feminized Cannabis Seeds, THE autoflowering seeds develop into female plants which produce the smokable cannabis that most growers seek. These plants grow quickly and easily, making cultivation enjoyable and simple. Since their origins, autoflowering plants have had to survive harsh environments, making them strong and very resistant plants, which flower very quickly lest they die at any time.
What are the benefits of autoflowering cannabis seeds?
The characteristics of Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds are already significant advantages, but you will find other advantages if you compare them to Feminized Cannabis Seeds (Female). Autoflowering cannabis seeds are more resistant to cold climates. They grow better in cold climates than feminized seeds. They develop more quickly. These plants have full life cycles ranging from 60 to 90 days. Growing autoflowering cannabis seeds is also easy. Auto seeds are ideal for starting to grow weed. You don’t need to be aware of light changes.
However, it is important to observe them and pay attention to the first signs of flowering. Since their cycle is so short, the cannabis plant must be in good condition to reach a good size. They are also more discreet. These plants are generally smaller than others which last longer. They are therefore perfect for small visible spaces, such as balconies, terraces or other parts of the house bathed in light.
What are feminized cannabis seeds?
While the premium cannabis seeds autoflowering plants require less attention and allow faster harvests, feminized cannabis seeds have their own advantages. It goes without saying that with the seeds of weed feminized, you don’t have to worry about producing male plants (which won’t give you smokable cannabis rich in THC and in CBD). You can expect larger plants and a higher yield from feminized seeds, with smokable cannabis often being more potent than cannabis grown from autoflowering seeds.
Given the higher yield and the fact that feminized plants can be cloned (autoflowers cannot), most serious growers choose to grow with feminized seeds. Despite requiring more space, more care and attention, and a more demanding lighting schedule, feminized cannabis seeds continue to be in the spotlight.
What are the benefits of growing feminized seeds?
There are many advantages that characterize the culture of feminized cannabis seeds, having become the most marketed, the most requested and the most used by the vast majority of cannabis producers. One of the main reasons for its popularity is the ease of cultivation, as there is no need to do male highlighting work to ensure female hegemony in cultivation.
Furthermore, due to this clear market domination over the last three decades, the catalog of feminized seeds, also known as seedless marijuana, is much more extensive and varied than that of regular seeds. These Premium quality cannabis seeds are characterized by a stable and homogeneous development, allowing you to enjoy the entire cultivation space, whether in tents, rooms, greenhouses or outdoors. It should also be noted that they can be found in different formats, depending on their genetic code, chemical composition and morphology, highlighting varieties rich in CBD, ideal for medical cannabis.
What are the growing differences between feminized and autoflowering strains?
When it comes to growing these types of seeds, there are many differences that can tip the scales of each horticulturist depending on their preferences and possibilities. Transition to flowering
The main dissimilarity lies in the transition to flowering. While the Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds do it automatically, Feminized Cannabis Seeds (Female) require manual labor indoors, going from 18 to 12 hours of light. Externally, they are characterized by the fact that they depend on a fixed calendar.
Furthermore, due to its speed and short life cycle, it is not advisable to carry out a pruning technique during the vegetative period on autoflowering cannabis plants, because they will not have enough time to recover, as is the case with feminized plants. Likewise, automatic varieties are generally not transplanted either, allowing for photoperiods.Crop production
The second big difference is the ability to produce multiple crops outdoors in the same year. If the seeds of weed feminized under direct sunlight have a single season, those that return to autoflowering can give up to 3-4 harvests, depending on the variety and the climatology of the region. Additionally, since photoperiod varieties have a longer life cycle, they require a higher level of experience and basic knowledge, as it is important to know the exact planting time in order to avoid damage future and unforeseen events during cultivation.Yield
Due to these differences in cultivation methods, strains of cannabis feminized are capable of generating a greater final production of weed in indoor cultivation and in outdoor cultivation than automatic seeds. It is also necessary to emphasize that autoflowering weed seeds are more tolerant of possible overfertilization to the detriment of feminized seeds, which require greater precision when it comes to providing the nutrients plants need. Since autoflowers are the result of crossing genes indica Or sativa with ruderalis, their growth is characterized by remarkable hybrid vigor compared to feminized genes.
What are the morphological differences between these two varieties of cannabis?
Beyond the cultivation methods and the main characteristics of feminized seeds compared to autoflowering seeds, it is also important to highlight the differences that exist at the morphological level. All of them are easily appreciable, so knowing them is extremely necessary to choose the perfect strain.The size
Due to the brief growth phase of automatic photoperiods, their size is generally much smaller than that of feminized, since the vast majority do not exceed one meter in height. This compact appearance can be a disadvantage for some growers. Conversely, for others (especially less experienced) this could be a great solution, as they are easier to work in smaller spaces. This aspect also gives autoflowering seeds greater discretion, which makes them ideal for balconies and terraces, as well as for guerrilla crops.The calyx/leaf ratio
When it comes to the calyx/leaf ratio, feminized ones come out on top again, as autoflowers generally form more leaves, making it difficult to collect the flowers during harvest. Likewise, photoperiod leaves generally impact their appearance based on genetics: cannabis indica Or cannabis sativa. But cannabis leaves from Seeds of Autoflowering Cannabis generally resemble the leaf of ruderalis strains, with 5 or 7 moderately large leaflets.The appearance of the buds
Regarding the buds, the feminized buds mainly indica have a higher density than autos, in addition to generating more resin around the flowers, which results in more intense flavors and aromas. Additionally, due to their Ruderalis genetics, autoflowers generally contain less THC than feminized ones.
How to successfully grow autoflowering seeds?
Although these plants are easy to grow, to get a good harvest you need to know them well and know what they need at all times.
Take advantage of the months when the days are the longest of the year
Although these cannabis seeds do not depend on the seasons, their results will be better if they are sown when the weather is good and the days are long. The most favorable period is June, July and August or December, January and February in the southern hemisphere.
Regulate exposure to light
Ideally, the autoflowering cannabis seeds should be exposed to light cycles of at least 18 hours per day in indoor cultivation. When growing with lights, they should run 18 to 20 hours a day. The more light they receive, the faster these plants grow and the better the harvest will be.
Avoid transplants
The plants of Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds have a short life cycle, so it is best not to subject them to too much stress. They will probably not have time to recover and follow a normal cycle afterward.
Does autoflowering marijuana need fertilizer?
That’s right, your automatic plants will also need a good amount of fertilizer. The difference is that they will need fewer products than cannabis plants feminized. The reason is that these plants tend to be compact in size due to their short life cycle.
And ultimately, a small plant needs fewer nutrients than a larger one. On the other hand, plants obtained from the seeds of cannabis Autoflowering plants have rudimentary genetics. They are therefore prepared to survive and thrive in difficult conditions, as well as to grow in poor soils. It should be remembered that not all autoflowering marijuana is the same or has the same needs.
How to successfully grow feminized cannabis seeds?
Virtually any variety of weed feminized can be planted outdoors and indoors. Although, depending on the chosen location, the culture will have one characteristic or another.
Indoor cultivation
Growing indoors means personally adjusting the growing light and dark hours. In general, during the growth phase, the marijuana feminized will need a greater amount of sun, so the spotlights must provide them with 18 hours of light. Moving to the flowering phase means changing the lighting to 12/12, simulating a fall schedule. However, there will be plants that, with small variations of this rule, will achieve higher yields. Although it’s about experimenting little by little. Under basic care and good light hours, it is easy to achieve good production.
Outdoor cultivation
Growing feminized marijuana outdoors means being in an optimal climate zone for your chosen strain. If it is not grown in the right climate, with the necessary hours of light and darkness, it will be impossible to obtain the best results. In addition, it is very important to cultivate feminized cannabis seeds at the right time to be able to harvest before frost and not expose the plants to unfavorable temperatures.
Of course, both in indoor and outdoor feminized marijuana cultivation, the cannabis plants must be accompanied. This includes providing necessary nutrients under a pH controlled by the right type of marijuana fertilizer, but also temperatures around 21°C and humidity of 40-50% due to flowering.
