What does Photoperiod Cannabis Seeds mean?

In the world of cannabis seeds, the term ‘Photoperiod’ frequently comes up – but what exactly does this term mean and what difference will it make to the seeds that you are thinking about adding to your collection?

Let’s cut straight to the chase: A photoperiod is a measurement of the time cycle that cannabis plants are exposed to light each day. The measurement will typically include two numbers: The first refers to how long the plants are exposed to light and the second refers to how long the plants are allowed to rest in the dark, so, for example: An 18/6 cycle would mean that for 18 hours a day, the plants get exposed to light and for the remaining 6 hours, the lights go out and plants get kept in the dark, kind of like what would happen in nature when the sun rises and sets: Simple, right? Well, there is a bit more to it than that…

Photoperiod vs Auto-Flowering strains

Cannabis seeds are typically divided into two camps: Photoperiod seeds or Autoflowering Seeds. In this instance, the term ‘Photoperiod’ will help to distinguish seeds that need certain conditions to be met in order to transition from vegetative state to flowering stage (Typically, this means altering the photoperiod to a 12/12 cycle), whereas Auto-Flowering strains have a very clear, fixed life-cycle, which means that they will flower automatically at a certain, pre-determined time.

Let’s take a look at some of the things which separate the two subcategories of cannabis seed strains:

Photoperiod Strains Characteristics

• Since the plants will simply continue to vegetate and grow until flowering is triggered, the plant sizes can be much bigger than Auto-Flowering strains: Therefore, despite the fact that they might not be as densely productive or speedy as some of the more high-tech autos, they can produce much higher yields overall.
• Photoperiod plants are often hardier than the smaller, shorter life-span autos, thanks to the fact that they can be grown for longer periods, into larger plants.
• In terms of potency, photoperiod plants are favoured by many growers, thanks to their legendary capacity to produce incredibly high THC and CBD levels.

Auto-Flowering Strains Characteristics

• Auto-Flowering seeds are typically short-statured, fast-growing strains with a fixed life-cycle.
• Auto-Flowering seeds, as their name implies, will simply start to flower at a set period, regardless of the light-cycle that they are exposed to, making them more beginner-friendly than Photoperiod strains.
• Depending on the strain, Auto-Flowering plants can produce very densely packed yields, but due to their shorter life-cycle, they won’t produce as much overall as healthy and high-yield Photoperiod strains.

Disclaimer: It’s illegal to germinate cannabis seeds in many countries. It is our duty to inform you of this important fact and to urge you to obey all of your local laws. The Vault only ever sells or sends out seeds for souvenir, collection or novelty purposes.