Growing autoflowering cannabis outdoors

Autoflowering marijuana has become a consolidated lure over the past few years due to the possibility of obtaining various great quality grows throughout the season, a quality that pleases both expert and novice growers. Growing Autoflowering Cannabis outdoors is a great option because they are discrete in size, fast, easy to grow, resistant to cold and plagues, and produce productive yields with fantastic organoleptic properties.

Characteristics of autoflowering cannabis

First of all, an autoflowering marijuana plant flowers automatically. They don’t guide themselves by a concrete lighting plan for each of its growth and flowering phases. As amazing as it might seem, the suppression of photo-periods actually took place spontaneously as it first showed up in Ruderalis marijuana, which grows naturally in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

This genetic subspecies, after being bred with different sativa and indica strains, has resulted in countless marijuana hybrids that feature different flavors, aromas, appearances and flowering periods, as well as different cannabinoid contents, such as THC and CBD, that suit the needs of medicinal and recreational users. In this post we are going to address the advantages, inconveniences and the different ways of growing autoflowering cannabis outdoors with success. These types of plants feature psychoactive and organoleptic properties similar to those in feminized seeds.

Advantages of growing autoflowering cannabis outdoors

Among the main qualities of outdoor autoflowering seeds are the following:

• A shorter life cycle than feminized outdoor seeds. Unlike the latter, the auto varieties have a total cultivation time that usually ranges between 7 and 10 weeks, including both the vegetative development and the flowering stage, although as in feminized genetics, there are some that may take a week longer to finish ripening the buds properly.
• These plants are suitable for beginners as well as for horticulturists, due to their short growth cycle and the generative stage of the plants. With this type of specimens, any of them will be able to obtain in a faster and easier way incredible harvests of mythical genetics such as Hindu Kush and Northern Lights, which in their feminized versions would take up to four months.

• Natural light, coming from the sun, can lead to more abundant and abundant harvests, as well as larger, denser and more resinous flowers.
• The short cultivation time makes it possible to obtain different harvests in the same season.
• They can be cultivated at any time of the year, always taking into account the climatic and meteorological differences of each region. That is why, in Mediterranean areas it is possible to cultivate during most of the season due to its stable and warmer climatology in spring and summer, lacking heavy rainfall and frosts. On the other hand, in northern places it is convenient not to cultivate during the coldest months, being the ideal moment from April to September. Since autoflowering varieties develop better with about 10 hours of sunlight, it is advisable to plant during these months in areas of the northern hemisphere, because it is when the days are longer.
• They also offer a high resistance to different types of insect pests such as aphids, whiteflies, red spider mites or mealybugs, as well as to the appearance of mold; in the same way that it is perfect for discreet crops in balconies, gardens and terraces of small dimensions, as well as for guerrilla crops.

Disadvantages of growing autoflowering marijuana outdoors

The main disadvantage of growing autoflowering cannabis outdoors in comparison to feminized versions is that their yield capacity is lower. Although their psychoactive activity has been enhanced; to this day, they generally feature less THC content, which means its effects are less powerful but more bearable.

However, they aren’t capable of generating clones because they inherit their age from the mother plant. Therefore, their growth and posterior flowering would be diminished and the yield would lack productivity.

Lastly, these plants shouldn’t be pruned or transplanted, unless it is performed by highly experienced growers. They don’t dispose of enough time to recover from the stress produced by such procedures.

How to grow autoflowering cannabis outdoors

Find below the dteps to follow in order to succed in growing automatic marijuana outdoors.

Germinating marijuana seeds

First of all, marijuana seeds should be germinated, either by putting them in a glass of water or by using paper towels. Subsequently, it is advisable to plant them in the final pot, as transplanting can reduce the growth of the seedlings and, therefore, reduce the quantity and quality of the harvest.

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Choose the substrate and pot

Regarding the recipient, outdoors, these plants can be grown in a flowerpot with substrate or straight into the ground. Pots must be at least 18 L. The substrate’s composition shall include black peats, hummus, perlite and guano, among others, in order to promote proper growth. Adequate PH and EC levels are very important. Use good quality fertilizers to the irrigation solution. Straight into the ground cultivation facilitates greater vegetative development; plants will need less upkeep and they will survive without needing too many basic cares or added treatment.

Fertilizers

While using fertilizers is beneficial, it is important not to exceed the recommended dosage as over-fertilization could diminish the yield. Slow-release fertilizers are more advisable as they promote plants’ feeding autonomy throughout their different life cycles.

Irrigation

As these examples are smaller than their feminized version, they do not require large amounts of water. Watering varies according to the climatic conditions of the growth regions. It is very important to take notice of this in order to avoid water excesses or deficiencies.

Once plants have the nutrients and mediums they need for the growth and flowering phases; it’s time to pay close attention and harvest the yield at the precise moment. In order to obtain best results, it is highly convenient to carefully observe trichomes coloring; they will show amber shades when buds are ready for harvest and their posterior drying and manicuring.

Differences between growing in flower pots or straight into the ground

Growing in flower pots offers the possibility to provide outdoor autoflowering marijuana plants with the most adequate substrate; as sometimes growers aren’t located in geographical regions prone to succeeding in these tasks.

Growing in pot

Using pre-fertilized substrates provides seeds the perfect doses of micro and macro essential nutrients and facilitates PH and EC monitoring.

Moreover, it also enables the reallocation and protection of plants to confront plagues, small mammals’ attacks or meteorological phenomena like rains and storms. Overall, flowerpots offer greater growth control; which is very handy when to provide discretion in terraces or balconies.

However, when growing autoflowering cultivars in pots, the grower needs to be especially attentive to water supply; as rain watering is unreliable. Also make sure that plants receive appropriate fertilization. Keeping plants far away from dense areas puts them at risk of theft.

Growing in soil

On the opposite side, growing straight into the ground is the most natural way possible to grow marijuana plants. Roots develop freely into the deep ground; promoting very large plants that take full advantage of microbial ground life and other available nutrients. It also needs less fertilizers, therefore, this type of growth method is less economically costly.

Of course, this method also has its disadvantages. Mother Nature is unpredictable. Strong wind, excessive humidity, frosts, hails, rains or storms can easily finish with months of hard work in no time. This is the reason why it is so important to know when is the best moment for starting a grow; taking into account the peculiarities of each region before proceeding with this task.

Potencial problems when growing marijuana outdoors

Beyond frequent problems that can relate to any marijuana grow; which might be the result of fertilizer dose, substrate inadequacy, lack of daily sunlight or height control methods; growing outdoors has other additional drawbacks like plagues, animal attacks or possible thefts.

Autoflowering strains are less susceptible to insect plagues and mold. In order to protect the grow from animals or prying eyes; it is highly convenient to grow other aromatic plants around them. In the case of guerrilla grows, it is best to choose hard to reach areas.

After explaining the peculiarities, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of autoflowering seeds; it is clear that they are the perfect solution for experienced growers that don’t have too much time available; but also for growers that are only starting off in this noble botanic art.

Thanks to the ongoing investigation, stabilization, and genetic hybridization carried out by most seeds’ banks, finding mythical strains among autoflowering versions is easier than ever. They offer productive, organoleptic and psychoactive properties nearly as good as their feminized versions.