Whether you're a seasoned cannabis cultivator or a budding enthusiast, understanding the intricate nuances of autoflowering strains is vital for achieving the highest quality harvest. This article should help you better understand autoflowering and explore its genetic origins and growth patterns, providing you with in-depth knowledge to determine the perfect time to gather your yield.
Understanding Autoflowering Cannabis
Autoflowering cannabis strains owe their existence to the marriage of traditional Indica and Sativa varieties with the robust Cannabis ruderalis, a resilient subspecies that evolved in harsh northern climates with short summers and limited daylight. These plants grew in the wild and survived even in the face of colder temperatures and inclement conditions.
This natural adaptation gave rise to a unique genetic trait – autoflowering – which enables these strains to progress from seed to harvest independently of light cycles. Generally, autoflowering plants reach the flowering stage within 3 to 4 weeks from germination, presenting a clear advantage for growers seeking rapid turnaround times.
Growth Patterns
Autoflowering cannabis is often synonymous with lightning-fast growth. Thanks to their genetically programmed life cycle, these plants can go from seedlings to fully mature flowers in as little as 8 to 12 weeks. This accelerated growth rate has made them increasingly popular among growers aiming for multiple harvests in a year.
24/7 Lighting Flexibility: Unlike their photoperiod counterparts that need strict light and dark schedules, autoflowering plants are relatively more carefree. They thrive under 18 to 24 hours of light each day throughout their life cycle, adapting beautifully to indoor growing environments. This convenience suits a lot of cultivators looking for a lower-maintenance project.
Size And Structure: Autoflowering strains are typically compact and bushy, making them ideal for constrained spaces and discreet outdoor cultivation. However, it's worth noting that modern breeding has also yielded larger autoflowering varieties, providing growers with a broader spectrum of choices.
Pruning and Training Considerations: While training and pruning are standard practices for maximising yield in photoperiod strains, they require a more delicate approach with autoflowering plants. Due to their short life cycle, extensive pruning or aggressive training methods can stress the plant in ways it doesn’t necessarily have time to recover from in the way a photoperiod strain would. This can therefore hinder growth and result in reduced yields. Instead, gentle low-stress training (LST) and light defoliation can enhance light penetration and airflow.
Nutrient Sensitivity: Autoflowering strains are usually less demanding regarding nutrient requirements. Overfeeding can lead to nutrient imbalances, causing nutrient lockouts and adversely affecting growth. Maintaining a balanced nutrient regimen and periodically flushing the plants with plain water before harvest is crucial for optimal results.
Determining The Ideal Harvest Time
With a better understanding of autoflowering plants under your belt, let’s move on to what you came here for – when should you harvest your autoflowering cannabis?
Harvesting autoflowering cannabis at the precise moment requires close observation and patience. You should therefore be carrying out regular checks on your autos, looking for the following indicators to help you identify the perfect window of opportunity.
Seasonal Timing
Typically, autoflowering genetics will go from seed to harvest in 8-12 weeks. Autos’ ability to flower independently of light cues means that growers have a much bigger window to sow their seeds and harvest their plants. There are a few different schools of thought on this, and it depends on variables such as climate, weather, and the type of desired finish. Assuming June is cooler and wetter, and July/August is dryer and warmer (not too warm), for the example below.
Harvesting over the longest days of June, for example, means the seeds have been sown in late April or early May. This is often a wetter time of year than, for example, July/August. It is also a bit cooler in late spring, but this time of year offers the advantage of a long photoperiod for the late flowering stage. This can be advantageous for some growers as the longer the light period, the more photosynthesis will continue through the day. Add in the extra rain that is typical of late spring, and this means you could potentially help the plants bulk up as they head for the finish line in June.
One major disadvantage to this timing is that each day the plant is flowering, the day is getting longer; this can cause non-auto plants to have elongated, stretched buds – obviously, genetics and the local climate will have a much more significant impact here, but something to bear in mind. On the other hand, sowing seeds around mid/late June will result in a harvest in late July or August. This is typically the hottest part of the summer and can be a significant advantage for flowering plants. Heat is commonly associated with excellent plant growth and good secondary metabolite production. The dryer, hotter conditions could result in larger plants. Still, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will bulk out the same unless plenty of water is provided. If it's too hot and dry, this will be detrimental to the plants.
As the length of the day shortens, the plant reads this even if it is an auto and knows it’s getting time to finish. This can help the autos come to a nice resin-covered finish. Don’t expect many colour changes, as the warm weather helps to counter that. In addition, both above timings are good for avoiding mold, which is a big problem for autumn harvesting in some areas.
In a region where June is cooler and July/August have optimal temperatures, harvesting time can affect the quality of autoflowering cannabis varieties. June's longer days may not compensate for cooler temperatures, potentially leading to slower growth and development. In contrast, July and August's optimal temperatures and drier conditions might create an ideal growing environment, even with shorter daylight hours. This can result in a more flavourful and potent harvest. Paying careful attention to the specific climatic conditions, including appropriate watering and using warming techniques in June, can help growers maximise their crop's potential in either month.
Trichome Examination:
Trichomes, the tiny, resinous structures covering the buds and leaves and giving plants that sugar-coated look, hold the key to the plant's maturity. Examine the trichomes using a magnifying glass, a jeweller's loupe, or a digital microscope for their appearance and colour. As harvest nears, trichomes will transition from clear to milky white, signalling the peak THC levels. If you like your marijuana to have a more euphoric and cerebral high, this is the opportune moment to harvest.
Embrace the Amber Glow: If you prefer a more relaxing and sedative effect, wait for some trichomes to turn amber. This indicates a higher level of CBN and brings a more soothing effect.
Pistil Colouration
During the initial flowering stages, the pistils are predominantly white and protrude straight out from the buds. As the plant matures, the pistils change colour, typically to orange, brown, or red shades. Harvesting is best carried out when around 70-80% of the pistils have undergone a colour change. This ensures that the buds have developed fully and are ready for optimal potency and flavour.
Resin Production
As the flowering period progresses, the buds will become increasingly resinous. Gently touching the buds will reveal their sticky texture, indicating the presence of potent cannabinoids and terpenes.
Additional Considerations
Flushing
To achieve the smoothest and most flavourful buds, it is essential to flush your autoflowering plants before harvest. This involves providing them with plain, pH-balanced water for one to two weeks, effectively removing excess nutrients and ensuring a richer flavour and smoother smoke.
Environmental Factors
Be mindful of environmental conditions if you're growing your autoflowering plants outdoors. Cold temperatures and excessive moisture can adversely impact bud quality. Consider harvesting a bit earlier to safeguard against potential damage.
Trusting Your Intuition
Harvest time is not an exact science and can be influenced by personal preference and desired effects. As you gain experience and experiment with different strains, you'll develop an intuitive sense of identifying the perfect moment to harvest for your liking.
Conclusion
By understanding the genetics and growth tendencies of autoflowering strains and closely observing trichomes, pistil colouration, and resin production, you'll confidently determine the opportune time to harvest. Remember to be patient, flexible, and open to experimentation, as each strain possesses unique characteristics. By developing a keen eye, you'll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest of top-quality buds, which is something we can all get behind!
