Autoflower cannabis seeds are a relatively new trend in the cultivation industry, but they’re fast-becoming hugely popular as they provide home growers with a more foolproof way to yield stunning flower buds. Autoflower seeds refer to indica, sativa, or hybrid cannabis plants that’re crossbred with cannabis ruderalis – a wild member of the cannabis genus, and the result is that the plant automatically switches from vegetation to flowering stage as a result of age. In other words, the plant doesn’t require the proper light-dark cycle to trigger the flowering stage, as it happens automatically, hence the name.
Anyone then who’s thinking of buy autoflower seeds, might just be wondering if there are different germination and cultivation processes that are required in order to have a successful yield. It’s a good question, and fortunately for you, we will be sharing all of our steps/tips on proper germination to help get you started.
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What is Germination and Why Does It Matter Greatly?
Let’s start with stage #1 of growing your own, which is “germination”. For those who don’t know, germination refers to a process in which plant seeds, including cannabis seeds, are planted into a growing medium and provided with the right environment (in terms of water, light, temperature, nutrients, etc.) in order to leave dormancy and sprout a seedling, which will eventually become a mature cannabis plant. When we purchase cannabis seeds, including autoflower seeds, they can’t just be thrown onto the ground, as you hope for the best. Everything has to be done properly. In fact, understanding germination helps in improving agricultural practices, conserving plant species, and restoring habitats. It’s a fundamental biological process that underscores the importance of seeds in our ecosystem and supports a wide range of human activities. And so, directly, here’s why germination matters:
- Initiation of the Plant Life Cycle: Germination is the first step in the life cycle of a plant. Without successful germination, a seed will not transform into a seedling, meaning no plant will grow from that seed.
- Agricultural Productivity: In agriculture, germination is crucial because it affects crop yields. High germination rates are indicative of healthy seeds and are key for farmers to achieve maximum productivity from their fields.
- Ecological Impact: Germination plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. It helps in the regeneration of plant life in ecosystems, supporting diverse flora and fauna. Effective germination ensures that plants can repopulate areas, maintain biodiversity, and stabilize ecosystems.
- Economic Value: Many industries, from agriculture to forestry, depend on the germination of seeds for their products and services. The quality of many products, like fruits, vegetables, and timber, directly ties back to the effective germination of seeds.
Now, there are specific methods that you need to follow so that the autoflower seeds can successfully transition into the seedling stage, and that’s what we’re going to talk about today.
Do Autoflower Seeds Have Different Germination Requirements?
Autoflower seeds are, again, somewhat new to a lot of cultivators. We understand how they flower compared to traditional seeds, but does that mean that the germination process has different requirements?
Actually, no. The real differences between the two types of seeds are only really apparent once the plant is in its vegetative stage, and, of course, when it begins flowering “automatically” after the right amount of time has passed. During the vegetation stage, plants grown from autoflower seeds typically show more resilience against disease, pests, and unfavorable environmental conditions, and this is because of the influence of cannabis ruderalis in their genetics, as the influence of a wild cannabis plant makes it far more adaptable to unfavorable conditions, sort of like common weeds found in the garden that seem to grow healthier than the plants that we nurture.
Given all of that, let’s walk you through the process of germination as it applies to all cannabis seeds, if you’re new to the concept, and if autoflower seeds are the first cannabis seeds you’ve ever set out to cultivate.
How to Grow Beautiful Autoflowering Plants Through Proper Seed Germination
Whether you’re growing autoflower, feminized, or “regular” cannabis seeds, the germination process can make or break the success of your eventual yield. Let’s talk about the steps for proper germination so that you can hit the ground running once you’re ready to get those seeds started.
Autoflower Seed Germination Step #1: The Soaking Process is Critical
There is one germination method that’s more highly recommended than any other: soaking. This involves placing the seeds in a glass of water for a full 24 hours, or until the seeds develop taproots, which are tiny tails that eventually become the root of the plant. Keep in mind that some seeds will fail, so those that never develop a taproot within 24 hours should be discarded.
Now, we strongly recommend that you go with distilled water in terms of soaking your autoflower seeds, because tap water contains minerals that can overwhelm delicate cannabis seeds. Distilled water is also less likely to contain any pollutants that interfere with healthy germination. The pH balance of the water matters as well, because slightly acidic water allows for easier absorption of nutrients. If you purchase a pH tester, you can check this for yourself, keeping in mind that ideally, the water for germination should be between 6.0 and 7.0.
As for where to store your glass while the seeds are mid-germination, we strongly suggest a dark, dry, and cool area like a closet shelf or a cabinet, as light, humidity, and heat can all prevent the seeds from properly developing a taproot.
Autoflower Seed Germination Step #2: Handle and Transfer Your Taproot with Care
Be aware that the taproot of each seed is remarkably fragile, and it’s very, very easy to damage it when transferring it from water to the growing medium, ruining its ability to properly take root in the soil. Most people prefer to use tweezers when transferring each autoflower seed, so that they never actually make contact with the taproot itself. Trust us when we say that it’s important to be very careful during this stage.
Now, make a tiny hole in the soil for each seed, no more than 1.5 inches deep, and drop each seed in its hole before covering it with soil. Make sure not to pack the soil down, as this will prevent the seeds from receiving oxygen and sunlight.
A Closer Look at Temperature and Humidity for Proper Autoflower Seed Germination
As you probably noticed by now, indoor setups are getting more automated than ever, and that’s because seemingly subtle changes in temperature and humidity can make a huge difference in the success of one’s cultivation venture. This doesn’t just apply to the vegetation stage, either, as these factors have a significant effect on germination. Germinating your autoflower seeds properly sets them up for success later on in their life cycle, and that’s why we’re going to go into more detail now.
Cold Temperatures:
- Below 10°C (50°F): Very low temperatures can severely slow down or completely halt the germination process. Cannabis seeds may not germinate at all if they’re kept too cold, as the seeds remain dormant in these conditions.
- Cold, but above freezing: While some seeds might still germinate, the process will be much slower, and the seedlings could be weaker or stunted.
Ideal Temperatures:
- 21°C-29°C (70°F-85°F): This is the ideal temperature range for cannabis seed germination. Within this range, seeds are likely to germinate more quickly and produce healthy, vigorous seedlings. The warmth helps to stimulate enzyme activity within the seed, promoting healthy growth.
Warm Temperatures:
- Above 29°C (85°F): Higher temperatures can accelerate germination but may also increase the risk of problems. Very high temperatures can lead to increased moisture loss from the soil and can stress young seedlings, potentially leading to poor plant health later on.
- Extremely High Temperatures: Temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F) can damage the auto flower seeds, potentially killing them or resulting in poor germination rates and weak seedlings.
Humidity and Moisture
As you are aware, soaking autoflower seeds in water is the best means for germination. But, letting them soak for too long can cause them to drown, which is why 24 hours is usually the max recommended period. Once the seeds are planted in soil post-soaking, humidity and moisture must continue to be monitored carefully.
Adaptive Measures:
- Temperature Control: Growers often use controlled environments like greenhouses or indoor setups with regulated heating to maintain optimal germination temperatures.
- Seasonal Planting: Outdoor growers should plant seeds during times of the year when the soil temperature is likely to remain within the ideal range.
How Can I Get Bigger Plants and Better Yields with Autoflower Cannabis Seeds?
It takes roughly 8-10 weeks from seed for your autoflower plants to start flowering, although some cultivars go up to 12 weeks. It goes without saying that autoflower plants tend to grow faster than other types, and that can be a huge relief if you’re eager to get to the harvesting process as soon as possible.
Autoflower seeds are more resilient to outdoor growing, which is good if you don’t have indoor space. Either way, whether grown indoors or out, you should know that autoflowering plants do tend to be smaller, and therefore have a lower yield than plants grown from “regular seeds”, which’s sorta the payoff for the convenience of the autoflowering process. As for light exposure, some growers choose to have light exposure for 24 hours, which can enhance the growth rate, although that’s pretty costly. 18 hours on and 6 hours off is, therefore, a lot more standard.
The Pot Size is Important
The best way to get bigger yields out of your autoflower plants is to start them off in large pots. Why? Because they grow so fast that the root may have a hard time staying within the confines of say, a 1-gallon pot that was housing your seedlings. Starting out with a 3 or 5-gallon pot is a great way to ensure the roots really spread out and develop larger plants.
And So is the Medium
Another thing that you can do is make sure you’re using a loose medium – in other words, skip the heavy and densely packed soil, which can discourage the roots from spreading their wings. Make sure that no matter what, the soil is rich in nutrients, as the fast-growing nature of autoflower plants means that they need to feed a lot more than the average cannabis plant.
Don’t Take Autoflowering for Granted
To an extent, the influence of a different cannabis species (ruderalis) inhibits the potential for an outstanding yield. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get what you need, especially if you’re a homegrower who is just collecting buds for your own use. The key is to not take the unique resilience of autoflowering for granted, by assuming that the plants don’t require any care. Just like you would with any cannabis plant, make sure to maintain the conditions (light aside) that are required for the strain you’re growing, to bring out the best in each bud.
Yield Stunning Autoflowering Plants with These Germination Tips!
Autoflowering offers a far more resilient cannabis plant, and one that will produce healthy buds even if you’re not totally on top of the light/dark cycle. Of course, you still need to germinate the seeds properly, or else your autoflowering goals will never come to fruition. Thankfully, you can look forward to exceptional yields by following these steps above, and also by sticking with a trusted brand like STRNG Seeds for autoflower seeds that are sold fresh, with top-of-the-line genetics for a high success rate.
