Autoflower blooms automatically without light changes. Fast 10-12 week cycles for continuous harvests.
Autoflower cannabis enables fast, flexible harvests independent of light cycles:
Autoflower basics:
Ruderalis genetics:
- Cannabis Ruderalis from Northern Russia/Siberia
- Short summer adapted
- Automatic flowering according to age
- Robust, resilient characteristics
- Smaller plants naturally
Modern autoflower:
- Ruderalis x Indica/Sativa hybrid
- Retains automatic flowering
- Increased potency and yields
- Diverse strain selection
- Continuous improvement
Autoflower benefits:
Timing flexibility:
- Independent of light cycles
- Multiple harvests per year
- Indoor/outdoor flexibility
- 24/7 light possible
- Fast results
Simplified cultivation:
- No light timers necessary
- Less complex setups
- Beginner friendly
- Less risk
- Simple automation
Discretion:
- Smaller, unobtrusive plants
- Shorter cultivation time
- Less odour emission
- Balcony cultivation possible
- Suitable for micro-growing
Lifecycle management:
Weeks 1-3 (germination/seedling):
- Low light sufficient
- Minimal nutrients
- High humidity
- Careful watering
- Avoid stress completely
Weeks 3-6 (Vegetative):
- Increase light to maximum
- Gradually increase nutrients
- Training possible but limited
- Expect rapid growth
- First signs of sex
Weeks 6-10 (flowering):
- Automatic start of flowering
- Nutrient switch to flowering
- Maximum light intensity
- Mould prevention important
- Harvest preparation
Weeks 10-12 (maturity/harvest):
- Trichome monitoring
- Start irrigation
- Determine harvest time
- Fast processing
- Prepare next batch
Lighting strategies:
24/0 light cycles:
- Maximum growth
- Fastest development
- Higher electricity costs
- More heat management
- Continuous photosynthesis
20/4 light cycles:
- Good compromise
- Energy saving
- Less stress
- Dark period for recovery
- Standard recommendation
18/6 light cycles:
- Conservative approach
- Similar to photoperiodic
- Moderate energy utilisation
- Longer development time
- For sensitive varieties
Nutrient programmes:
Reduced dosage:
- 50-75% of the standard dose
- Autoflowers are nutrient-sensitive
- Over-fertilisation is difficult to correct
- Cautious increase
- Keep EC values lower
Fast nutrient change:
- Switch to flowering nutrients early
- Already in week 4-5
- Less vegetative time
- Phosphorus/potassium important earlier
- Cal-Mag throughout
Organic approaches:
- Long-term release ideal
- Super-Soil for complete cycle
- Less effort
- Natural nutrient availability
- Flavour advantages
Training techniques for autoflowering:
LST (Low Stress Training):
- Gentle bending possible
- Start early (week 2-3)
- Careful and gradual
- No aggressive manipulation
- Improve light exposure
Defoliation (limited):
- Only large, shaded leaves
- Minimal removal
- Never more than 20% at a time
- Timing critical
- Stress response be