Autoflower vs Feminized Cannabis – Seeds Differences
Cannabis seeds come in two different types: Autoflower and Feminized seeds. It’s important to understand difference between these two types and what they mean for your growth. In this article, we compare autoflowering and feminized seeds so that you can make an informed choice about wich type of cannabis seed is right for you to…
What is Autoflowering Plant
Autoflowering marijuana plants don’t need light cycle to know when to begin flowering.
Instead, they rely on age.
Once seeds you planted, every day that passes means plant is one day older.
At specific age (usually around two weeks), plant will enter flowering phase regardless of lightening cycle.
That means that you don’t have to worry about controlling lights schedule and can instead focus on other aspects of growing cannabis.
Autoflower plants are also smaller than photo-period plants. Auto fem plants focus on producing more steam growth.
Because of this, autoflowers can be ready for harvest in as little as 7-11 weeks!
That is excellent if you want to harvest some weed quickly or have little space for growing operations.
What is Photoperiod Feminized Plant
Feminized seeds are seeds that were exposed to hormones and chemicals to make them female. This means that all seeds that comes from these plants will be female.
Since they are all feminised canabis seeds, a grower can grow them without worrying about male plants pollinating their buds and ruining them by making more seeds.
What’s the Difference Between Feminised and Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds?
Feminised cannabis seeds are made from two female marijuana plants.
That is because only female cannabis plants produce usable THC, which is main ingredient responsible for ‘high’ you get from consuming cannabis.
So, if you want to harvest many buds with high THC content, you need to start with female cannabis seeds.
However, there is also another option – autoflowering seeds.
They are called autoflower because they automatically flower regardless of lightening process.
In other words, you can harvest more pungent buds in just 7 to 11 weeks, no matter what lightening process they experience.
How to Tell the Difference Between Feminised and Autoflowers Seeds
Fem seeds always has word “feminised” written on them.
Seeds that are not feminised will not have that word anywhere on their packaging.
Auto flower seeds, on other hand, never have any indication of feminization on them, or you can tell by looking at their packaging and their name.
If the package or name does not mention “feminised,” they are not feminised cannabis.
Feminized vs. Autoflower Seed: The Bottom Line
So autoflower vs feminized, both feminised and auto-flower seeds have their advantages and disadvantages.
Some grower prefer auto flower seeds because they’re more convenient to use, or others prefer fem seeds for their higher quality.
Ultimately, it comes down to your preferences and what you’re looking for in particular strain.
Autoflower Seeds vs Feminized Seeds – Which One Is Better?
Feminized cannabis seed are designed to grow into female plants that produce buds.
Mianwile planting auto flower seeds, on other hand, are designed to grow automatically based on age.
In other words, fem seeds light cycle and auto flower seeds don’t need light cycle.
Autoflowering marijuana seeds are great for growers who don’t have lot of time and who want to harvest their first crop fast.
It is so popular that over 90% of cannabis growers today use autoflowers.
However, there are some drawbacks with autos too. For one, they produce smaller yields and less powerful buds when compared to their photoperiod counterparts.
Autoflower vs. Feminised: Light Cycle
Since autoflowers don’t need change in their light cycle, they can start growing sooner.
As result, they can be ready for harvest in as little as 7-11 weeks.
Photoperiods feminized cannabis plants require 12/12 cycle. Meaning photo-period feminized marijuana plants can take more time before they are ready for harvest.
In contrast autoflowers can be ready in just 7-11 weeks.
The Key Differences Between Feminised Cannabis and Autoflowers Seeds
Feminized cannabis seed are made by crossing two female marijuana plants and then identifying seeds that grow into female cannabis plants.
Then, these female marijuana plants are grown into mature plants that produce buds without worrying about males pollinating them and making more seeds and ruining the entire harvest.
Autoflower seeds are made by crossing male and female marijuana plants and then identifying seeds that grow into marijuana plants that automatically flower without changing the lights process.
Yield
Feminised cannabis seeds produce more buds containing high levels of THC and autoflowers produce less.
That is because photoperiod plants have more time to dedicate to growing buds and autoflowers need to devote their energy to growing.
In other words, photoperiod plants are naturally better at producing buds.
However, autoflowers can still produce respectable amount of buds.
Potency
One of main advantages of feminised cannabis seed is their higher level of THC.
While both autoflowers and fem seeds can produce high-quality buds, feminized plants are known to have higher THC content.
That is because they’re specifically bred to produce buds with high levels of THC.
And autoflower cannabis strains are not bred for potency, which means that they don’t necessarily have same amount of THC as their photoperiod counterparts.
Flowering Time
Feminised cannabis seed take up to 14 weeks to flower. Autoflower seeds, on other hand, take only about 7-11 weeks to mature.
This is one of biggest differences between seeds of autoflower and seeds of feminised cannabis.
If you’re growing outdoors, you’ll need to plant fem seeds in March or April for them to flower before summer ends.
However, if you’re growing indoors, it doesn’t matter which type of seeds you choose because you can control light cycle.
Flavor
Feminised cannabis seed produce plants that are quite uniform in flavor, wheras auto-flower seeds can produce plants that vary in flavor.
That is because photoperiod feminised cannabis strain have the same genetic makeup and flavor.
On other hand, auto-flower seeds have different genetics and so can have different flavors.
Because of this, if you like specific flavor of certain strains, then choose feminised seeds over auto-flowers seeds.
You can also do brewing with cannabis if you want beer-like-taste, you can check some home brewing tips, growing tips, brew supplies, home brewing guides and more if you are interested online.
Ease of Growing
Feminized seeds are little more challenging to grow than autoflower seeds. That’s because you need to force flowering stage by changing light cycle.
On other hand, auto flowers will flower automatically, which means you don’t have to do much besides providing them with light and water.
You can grow your cannabis with hydroponic grow system or by planting in soil.
You can check tips for growing weed in hydroponics or read about how to grow cannabis in soil at Dutch Seeds Shop blog.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Feminized Seeds and Autoflower Marijuana Seeds?
Feminized cannabis seeds are developed to produce only female plants, which means that all seeds that grow from them will be female.
That is great for growers who want to ensure they harvest only buds and no seeds.
On the other hand, autoflower seeds are made to flower automatically after planting regardless of light cycle.
You can harvest your buds in as little as eight weeks after planting!
Here are some pros and cons of using cannabis fem seeds and cannabis auto flower seeds:
Pros of Feminized Cannabis Seeds
- Better quality and more high-content THC cannabis
- Easier to grow indoors
- More stable genetics
- No male cannabis plants
- More suitable seeds for experienced cannabis weed growers
Fem seeds are best choice for anyone who wants to grow just one harvest per year.
With photoperiod feminized seeds, you can grow only one harvest per year, and it will be ready in fall or winter.
And if you want to grow two harvests per year, you must choose autoflowering seeds.
Feminized seeds produce better quality and stronger weed than auto flowers.
That is because they are bred specifically for their potency and not their ability to survive harsh conditions.
As result, they produce more THC than auto flowers.
It’s easier to grow indoors with feminized seeds. Buy cannabis fem seeds at Dutch Seeds Shop!
Cons of Feminized Cannabis Seed
- Only one harvest per year
- Feminized seeds are not natural, and they also come with their own set of drawbacks.
First of all, you need to keep in mind that you are buying seeds that have been modified in some way.
This means that there is always risk of something going wrong. For example, you can end up with hermies or male plants when using feminized seeds.
While this is less likely to happen with good-quality seeds, it is still possible.
Pros of Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds
- Rapid maturation: One of biggest benefits of autoflowering cannabis seeds is that they mature in about ten weeks, which is faster than photoperiod cannabis strains.
- No need for change in light cycle: With auto flowers, you don’t have to worry about changing light cycle because plants will not change stages based on light.
Cons of Autoflowering Cannabis Seed
- Smaller yields: Autoflowering cannabis plants have shorter life cycles, meaning they’ll produce smaller crops in a shorter time.
- Less potent: Due to their shorter lifespan, autoflowering cannabis plants will tend to be less powerful than photoperiod strains. However, this isn’t a rule.
- Less flavorful: Since autoflowering cannabis plants are smaller and produce less resin, they’re also less flavorful.
FAQ
Q: Are autoflower seeds more potent than feminized seeds?
A: No. Feminized seeds are more potent.
Q: Are there any advantages to growing autoflower or feminized seeds?
A: Yes, there are. Cannabis Autos are not as complicated as feminized seeds, so they are great choice for beginners. Also, they take less time to mature, and you can harvest more frequently.
Q: Can I still get high from auto-flower seeds weed?
A: Yes, you can still get high from auto-flowers.
Q: What are best auto-flower strains?
A: Some of best autoflowering strains are Sour Diesel Cannabis, Gorilla Glue #4 auto cannabis, Bubblegum Cannabis, Candy Cream Cannabis, and Gelato Cannabis. And you can order marijuana seeds online at Dutch Seeds Shop.
Q: What is difference between photoperiod and auto-flowering cannabis plants?
A: Photoperiod plants require light to determine when to start flowering, and auto flowers do not need light to determine when to start flowering.
As we mentioned before, one of main differences between seeds feminised and seeds autos is growing time. Autos cannabis can be ready for harvesting in around 7-11 weeks, and feminized cannabis usually takes a minimum of 12 weeks to mature, depending on strain and conditions.
That makes them perfect for those who don’t have much time or space to dedicate to growing marijuana plants. That said, there are plenty of other differences between the two types of cannabis seeds that you should consider before making your choice.
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