When it comes to growing cannabis, choosing the right strain is not the only thing you should think of if you want to have a fruitful harvest. Selecting the right kinds of seeds can make all the difference as well. But choosing the right kind of marijuana seeds can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you are new to cannabis growing. Not knowing the type of seeds you are about to deal with can present you with all kinds of problems and make your experience a stressful one.
In this article, we are going to explain more about feminized and autoflowering seeds and which ones are the best to use if you plan on growing your own batch of cannabis.
Knowing the Difference
First, we should familiarize ourselves with the main difference between these two seed types. Just like the name implies, feminized seeds produce all female plants. An all-female crop does away with one of the biggest problems that many growers face, which is having to deal with male plants. No male plants mean your cannabis will not be pollinated and therefore will not produce any seeds during the flowering stage.
Autoflowering seeds have a fixed growth cycle and do not rely on the photoperiod. The flowering times of auto seeds are usually fast and only take an average of 8 to 9 weeks. This is a huge advantage for growers who want to see their plants produce yields as quickly as possible. By the same token, it is also a big advantage for growers who want to be discreet and quick about what they are doing.
Pros and Cons of Autoflowering and Feminized Seeds
Just like with most things in life, both feminized and autoflowering seeds have their fair share of pros and cons. When selecting which type of seed to use, you should take into consideration the good and bad qualities that come with your decision.
For starters, are you the type of grower who wants to harvest plenty of crops in just one growing season? Autoflowers usually take around 60 to 70 days to start producing buds, which means you can grow up to three crops – even if you do it outdoors. Regardless of the light cycle that they get, these seeds will automatically flower. However, autoflower cannabis should not be pruned because they will not have the time needed to fully recover.
Growing autoflowering weed indoors also allows you to control the size of your plant, depending on the size of the pot you use. Larger pots will often produce bigger plants, so this is definitely something that is worth keeping in mind. Autoflower plants also tend to contain lower THC levels, so this could be a bit of a turn-off for growers who prefer their weed to have an extra kick to it. This lower amount of THC in autos can be attributed to their ruderalis genes.
Feminized seeds, on the other hand, grow into plants that rely greatly on photoperiods. This can be used to the grower’s benefit as they can manage and manipulate the lights and prolong the vegetative state for as long as they want. And unlike their autoflowering counterparts, feminized seeds can be pruned without risking damage to your entire crop.
From a purely logistical standpoint, feminized seeds also make the most sense because you won’t have to worry about germinating extra seeds. With female seeds, you can germinate only as much as you need.
What Seeds Should You Go With?
The answer to this question all comes down to personal preference. If you want to grow marijuana that is guaranteed to give you large amounts of buds if done right, then going with feminized seeds would be a great option. Having a plant that doesn’t contain any males will save you plenty of time and stress.
Male seeds will not only take up precious space in your garden, but they can also potentially ruin your entire crop. The crop will end up being a failure if your female plants become littered with male seeds. Remember that the whole cannabis industry is largely predicated on growing sizeable female plants, so growing female seeds will not only provide you with big buds, but it can also give you some profits as well (assuming you live in a state or country that has legalized cannabis).
Remember to only purchase from the best seed bank for feminized seeds so you don’t end up with seeds that are of subpar quality.
Now if you’re interested in growing cannabis plants that can flower quickly, then autoflowering seeds would be your best bet. Just keep in mind that even though they have fast flowering times, their buds will contain more leaf materials. The flavor of autoflowering cannabis is also less intense, which may discourage some growers who want the flavors to be more pronounced.
And before buying any seeds – regardless if they’re feminized or autoflowering – always make sure that you are not violating any of your local laws because there are still areas that consider cannabis to be an illegal substance.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for information and educational purposes only and is not intended to reflect the views of the publication.
