Whether you’re growing marijuana seeds for beginners or strains more suited to veteran cultivators, creating an ideal environment is vital. During the early stages of development, your plants require warm temperatures and high humidity. As the crops mature, their needs change. There are several cultivation factors to remember when you see autoflowering seeds for sale. Let’s investigate each stage.
Germinating autoflower seeds
The first step on your marijuana cultivation journey begins with sprouting your seeds. Several germination methods work effectively, but a few are more costly and unreliable than others. Some growers invest in heat mats, germination stations, or humidity domes to give their feminized autoflower seeds the best possible start.
Most breeders opt for a simple, cheap, and convenient germination method. The paper towel technique is one of the most effective ways of getting your seeds to pop. Gather a few household items and assemble your premium-quality cannabis seeds. Then, follow our germination guide below.
You need:
- Two paper towels
- Two dinner plates
- Purified water
- A pair of tweezers
Method:
Place one of the dinner plates on a sturdy surface. Wet a paper towel and place it in the center.
Use tweezers to pick up your autoflower cannabis seeds and gently place them on the damp towel. Space them an inch apart to give the roots adequate growing room.
Cover the seeds with a second damp paper towel and close the setup with another dinner plate. This makeshift germination station provides the ideal environment for roots to develop.
Check your seeds daily. You should notice small, white taproots within 1–5 days. Always ensure that the towels are damp. If they appear to dry out, add water. Discard any autoflowering feminized seeds that don’t pop within more than 10–14 days.
Planting autoflower seeds
Once your marijuana seeds germinate, decide where you want to cultivate them. Like regular and feminized seeds, autos flourish indoors, but outdoor growing is possible under the right conditions. Plant them in pots or directly into the ground. Many growers use seed starter kits once the roots appear, creating the ideal environment.
Some growers wonder how to get autoflowering seeds to flourish during the cultivation process. Ensure that the temperature is warm and the humidity levels are moderate. Use premium products in your cultivation efforts and decide what growing medium you want to use. Aside from just soil, other options include:
- Coco coir: This organic substrate is made from coconut husks. It has a free-draining nature and makes your soil lighter and more aerated. Cultivators typically add up to 20% of coco coir to their medium, while others use a 1:1 ratio.
- Perlite: Another substance you can add to your soil when growing auto cannabis seeds is perlite. Made from volcanic glass that expands, it improves drainage while retaining adequate water. It lightens your earth and is suitable for weed seed germination.
What soil to use for autoflowering seeds
A healthy substrate is essential to growing autoflower marijuana seeds successfully. Premium organic soil is recommended, but it may be costly. An alternative is to use a blend of different soil types. Here are some options:
- Clay has rich nutrient content and offers sufficient minerals. The main drawback is that it develops a hard texture when dry, which could hinder the development of the roots.
- Silt provides tons of nutrients and has excellent water-retention qualities. This soil type may get stiff and crusty, which isn’t ideal.
- Sand is loose and aerated but has poor water retention properties.
- Loamy soil is a mixture of all these types and provides your autoflower pot seeds with a well-balanced growing medium.
Each type of soil has pros and cons. Dense soil with poor drainage isn’t ideal for autos. The roots struggle to grow, and absorbing nutrients is challenging. Overwatering is a significant risk due to the density and holding water for longer.
Make an affordable autoflower mix by combining 80% supermarket soil, 10% coco coir, and 10% perlite. It doesn't matter if the ratio isn't exact. Place the blend in a large fabric sack, and you have the ideal environment to grow your autoflower marijuana seeds.
Optimal temperature and humidity for autoflowers
Cannabis plants flourish in warm Mediterranean climates with moderate humidity levels. Outdoor growers in the USA require tropical weather to reap a successful yield. Opt for indoor cultivation in cold climate areas. Your plants stand a better chance of producing the biggest yield possible of buds grown from high-THC weed seeds.
The exact temperature range for auto cannabis seeds varies from one cultivar to the next. The average is around 65–85°F. Seeds need high humidity levels of about 80–90% during germination. Lower this range to about 55–60% as the plants mature. When the crops flip to flower, it should be between 40–50%.
Nutrients and feeding schedule for autoflowers
Auto feminized seeds grow into resilient crops that don’t require many nutrients. If you cultivate them in healthy soil, you may not even need to supplement them at all. When your plants transition to the vegetative phase, provide modest macronutrients. Take care not to overfeed, as it can burn your crops. Check the pH levels of your grow medium regularly, and add supplementation as necessary.
Best water for autoflowers
When cultivating auto fem seeds, the type of water you use plays a role in plant health. There are three primary considerations when it comes to hydrating your crops:
- Parts per million (PPM): The number of chemicals or contaminants in a single volume of water. You require a different amount during each growth stage. When the crops are in the early vegetative phase, a range of 500–600 PPM is best. Once the plants flip to flower, a PPM of 1000–1100 is ideal.
- Temperature: Autoflowering marijuana seeds and crops need their water to be at the right temperature. A range of 68–78°F is best.
- pH levels: Ensure that the pH levels of the water are around 6–6.8.
Autoflowers and low-stress training (LST)
As explained previously, autos don’t have a long life cycle, so exposing them to stress isn't a great idea. Some growers aim to enhance the yield of their auto weed seeds by implementing low-stress training methods. They often use the Sea of Green (SOG) or Screen of Green (ScrOG) options.
The SOG technique is ideal for cultivating multiple crops in a small area. The crops grow a canopy of buds due to how closely packed they are. Breeders typically keep a keen eye out for cheap autoflower seeds online, as they require several plants to implement this LST method. Autos are suited to the SOG method as they have a compact structure.
The ScrOG training method is slightly different and uses a screen to encourage horizontal growth instead of vertical. It optimizes light exposure and ensures the buds develop on an even plane.
Should I trim autoflowers?
Pruning the plants grown from your autoflowering cannabis seeds isn't recommended, but if necessary, do it during the vegetative stage. Only remove excess foliage and large fan leaves obstructing light and airflow. Avoid heavy defoliation, as the plants may not be able to replace the leaves within their short life cycle. Applying trimming techniques during the later part of the flowering stage can be risky. You might shock the crops, affecting your yield.