No matter if you’re growing a few plants for yourself, or if you grow on commercial scale, every grower wants a good, quality harvest in as shorter period as possible. If you’re growing outdoors, obviously finishing your harvest before the cold weather comes in is imperative and if you’re growing indoors, you want a turnaround as fast as possible.
In the last decade, autoflowering strains have become very popular, mostly for their short life and flowering period. Unlike standard, photoperiod plants, autoflowering strains start to flower not when the light cycle is switched to 12 hours of darkness or more, but when plants reach certain stage of maturity, usually happening between weeks 2 and 5. Finishing their life cycle in 10-15 weeks and not depending on the light cycle or season, if you’re growing outdoors, autoflowers provide for fast harvest. Autoflowers are also a popular choice when shortening the flowering time of a new strain.
By breeding Ruderalis or “autoflowering” genes to a new strain, autoflowering trait is not passed on it but its flowering time is reduced and in most cases its resistance to pests, disease and harsher conditions is increased. Many breeders mark these strains “early”, “quick” or “fast” which indicates that it’s a faster finishing cross or phenotype of the strain. By lowering the flowering time and increasing the flowering speed, these new strains allow growers to grow strains that were previously limited to much different climates. In most cases the important characteristics like yield, bud structure, cannabinoid and terpene profiles are very similar and close to the parent plant with just added resistance and shortened the flowering time.
Multiple harvests
If grown in a greenhouse, growers can apply light deprivation techniques and trigger earlier flowering in photoperiod strains. Covering the greenhouse from the light in late Spring allows farmers to have multiple harvests with one finishing in early summer and one in early fall. If growing in pots, it’s possible to just take your plants inside, in a dark and slightly colder room to achieve the same effect.
Some outdoor growers who exhibit polar days and the whole summer period is covered with sunlight being present for more than 12 hours are limited with the choice of strains they can grow. That means that standard, photoperiod plants won’t start flowering until the day shortenes but that is accompanied by much colder and harsher weather, making it hard for most strains to finish properly and for growers to avoid potential mold or mildew issues. Sometimes the autoflowering strains are the only solution.
Those in sunnier and warmer climates with long summers and long days can too grow autoflowering strains and use the trait to manage multiple harvests, allowing for better yield in same time period.
Quick and reliable harvest
Those not blessed to live in such climates can struggle to find the right strains that will finish in time. Even the best cannabis strains won’t provide good results if grown in hostile environments with unwelcoming conditions. It’s very important to either grow the strains that do well in their environments and are well suited for those conditions or to find those that finish before harsher weather comes.
Compared to photoperiod strains that have been vegged for 3-4 weeks and that finish flowering in 7 weeks, third and especially fourth generation of autoflowers, can go toe to toe both in yield and in potency. Photoperiod strains usually require at least a few weeks of vegetation time before the flowering is induced but it’s possible to start the plants on 12/12 light schedule from the start, allowing for a fast harvest but suffering yield in compensation. To deal with the lower yield – technique called Sea Of Green is applied, which uses more plants in the same space, each growing a few buds. Usually done with clones but if you’re in abundance of seeds, you can grow a SOG with 12/12 light schedule giving you a decent harvest in 9-12 weeks, depending on the strain’s flowering time.
Below is the list of fast flowering strains, both autoflowers and photoperiods that you might consider growing if you’re looking for a fast and quality harvest.
Autoflowering cannabis strains
Cream Caramel from Sweet Seeds
A third generation of autoflowers, cross between a photoperiod Cream Caramel and a 2nd generation autoflower – Cream Caramel Auto will finish within 8 weeks from germination. Staying under 100cm in height with its sticky, dense buds, makes it a popular choice among growers.
This Indica (83%) dominant strain tests at 18% THC with 1.5% CBD and will give growers between 300-500g per square meter indoors and from 30-100g per plant outdoors.
Auto Blueberry from Dutch Passion
Auto Blueberry is an Indica dominant strain that will finish flowering between 8 and 10 weeks from germination. Having most of the characteristics of legendary DJ Short’s Blueberry, this strain will produce dense, resinous buds that will satisfy even the cannabis connoisseurs with their sweet and fruity aromas and flavours. For having a slightly below average yield, Auto Blueberry makes up for by having nice and potent buds.
Blue Dream Auto from Humboldt Seed Organisation
Another autoflowering version of a popular strain, coming from Humboldt’s legendary Blue Dream, the auto version will finish flowering in around 10 weeks. Generally staying under 100cm indoors and 150cm outdoors, Blue Dream Auto will yield 30-75g per plant indoors and 30-100g per plant outdoors.
Having most of the qualities of the regular, photoperiod plant, this Sativa dominant hybrid usually tests at around 13% THC and 0.1% CBD.
Chronic Ryder Auto from Seedsman
Chronic Ryder Auto is fast flowering and stealthy Indica-dominant autoflowering strain from Seedsman. It was created by the legendary The Joint Doctor, breeder and grower who is accredited for creating the first commercial autoflowering strains. A cross between world-famous Chronic and Lowryder #2 it will finish in just 9 weeks from germination to harvest.
Plants stay short but grow many bud sites on strong and sturdy branches. Buds are dense and hard and usually fully coated with resinous trichomes, usually testing at around 12% THC. Effects are well balanced but more body oriented and provide for a relaxed and calming , sociable experience. Chronic Ryder’s flavors and aromas are sweet and spicy with peppery undertones.
Fastberry Auto from Fast Seeds
Fastberry Auto is an Indica-dominant cross between the legendary Blueberry Line from DJ Short and Canadian Ruderalis. It’s truly one of nicest autoflowering hybrids from the Blueberry line and it finishes flowering in just 9 weeks.
Buds will be blue and purple in color with sweet berry taste and will usually test around 18% THC. Plants will usually stay around 70-120cm and provide yields up to 450-550g/m2 or 50-250g per plant.
Photoperiod cannabis strains
Speedy Chile FAST from Royal Queen Seeds
Speedy Chile FAST is a cross between Green Poison and Chile Indica, this 70% Indica and 30% Sativa strain is ideal for new growers and master growers alike. Requiring low maintenance but rewarding fully when fine-tuned, Speedy Chile gives a high that is more energetic, euphoric and relaxed, making it a great day time smoke.
With indoor height from 60 to 100 cm Speedy Chile yields up to 525g per square meter in 6-8 weeks and outdoors you can harvest up to half a kilo per plant that will finish in early September. Testing at 16% THC and with more of a sativa type high it makes for a nice daily strain.
Quick Critical+ from Dinafem Seeds
Critical has been an integral part of Dinafem Seeds, used as a parent in many other crosses, revamped a couple of times, with autoflowering and CBD versions available. Quick Critical+ is a cross between Critical + and Auto Critical + 2.0. This Indica (75%) dominant strain finishes in 6-7 weeks indoors and in early to mid September outdoors.
Growing fast and vigorous like her parents, this strain yields up to 600g per square meter indoors or 1250g per plant outdoors. Skunky and lemony smell make this heavy yielder a popular choice among many growers. Not only is she a good yielder but THC levels measuring at 16-20% make for a potent and medicinal strain.
Critical Poison FAST from 00Seeds
Critical Poison FAST from 00Seeds is a cross between legendary Critical Mass and Green Poison which finishes flowering in just 40 to 45 days. It’s a compact, stocky and vigorous plant, ideal for wet and humid environments. Buds usually test around 18% THC. Indoors, plants stay short, usually under 100cm with yields around 600g/m2 in ~7 weeks of flowering.
Outdoor plants tend to stay around 180-250cm and they could benefit from additional netting or support in order to deal with weight of the buds and branches. Growers may expect to harvest by the end of August which help to avoid potential mold or mildew issues due to wet and cold weather.
Power Africa Fast and Power Aftica X MK Ultra FAST from Seedsman
Power Africa FAST finishes flowering in just 6 weeks, usually testing at around 15-20% THC. A Sativa-dominant hybrid, with plants usually around 100-140cm it will usually produce yields around 400-550g/m2. A mixture of Durban Poison and Skunk, its effects are pleasantly motivating and relaxing – a perfect pat on the back you need to kickstart the day.
Power Africa X MK Ultra FAST is an Indica-dominant cannabis hybrid, a cross between tasty and energetic Power Africa and legendary MK Ultra. Indoor plants grow up to 80-120cm, which is great if space is an issue, and provide yields going up to 400-450g/m2 in just 6-7 weeks. Buds taste sweet and fruity and usually test at 15-20% THC while providing for a nice, relaxing Indica-type buzz.
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