Why is my seed an auto? Why is that seed femininized? Don’t I need a male? There are a lot of misconceptions out there regarding seeds and planting. We are going to go through the most common findings on a package and what they mean! And what can I grow in the dirt outside? I can’t have a tent!!
What does auto mean? Femininized?
Auto Flower simply means that the plant is on a shortened life cycle. They will usually grow completely within a short period of time. A femininized on the other hand will grow as a standard crop. You plant in spring and harvest in the fall. The light cycle in order to grow and flower typically mimic that of the outdoor light patterns.
Auto Versus Femininized
Light Cycles
One of the most common misconceptions is how both forms of seeds function. The femininized does require a standard light cycle to grow and to thrive. Cycles will generally follow the natural light cycle of the spring/summer months. Autos or Auto flower seeds have a exact timeframe. These seeds will usually go for 12-15 weeks. This means your may get a crop sooner than with a femininized.
You must have some light but these do not follow the natural rhythm of the sun. Auto flower seeds do not require the light cycles,
Crops.
One thing to note is that there a great difference in the crop amount. Feminized will produce larger flowers and more flowers. Auto will produce a decent crop but you will not get as much with feminized. Last year, my fem grew to a high of 7 feet. We ended with a full cure weight of 1 pound 9 oz. My poor little auto gave us 2 oz. A femininized can withstand stress such as temperature changes, wind changes, etc. They can be started inside, transplanted, etc. Autos cannot usually be transplanted with such ease. Anytime an auto has stress, it can stunt the growth cycle and flower cycle.
Size
Size and crop tend to very much go hand in hand. You aren’t getting the same amount of crop between a 7 footer and a 3 footer. But not everyone can keep a 7 foot plant in their home. Most auto flowers that are considerably smaller still require 5-6 gallon fabric bags. Our tap root for our outdoor fem last year was as large as the plant itself.
Then you have to feed and water them. The larger they are, the more food and water they need to survive. That will increase your costs for both.
I have grown an auto on my desk. I grow one in my kitchen window all year round. Is it always optimal? Nope. Does it make me fully happy? YEP. And even though it’s small, you’ll still get a nice supply!!
Storage
Your biggest take away from this section is simple. Time. Light. Heat.
Cool, dark climate somewhere between 35–46°F.
Light blocking packaging.
Low humidity
Very important that if storage will be longer than 5 years- the freezer may be your best bet for longevity.
Next week we will talk soil and initial planting.
