Autoflowering cannabis is becoming increasingly popular as more growers discover the benefits of growing these low-maintenance plants. Autoflowers are easy to grow, require less attention, and produce quality buds in a much shorter period of time than regular cannabis strains. But, if you want to get the best results from your autoflowering plants, you need to provide them with the right light cycle.
What is an Autoflower?
Autoflowering cannabis is a type of cannabis strain that has been bred to flower automatically, regardless of light cycles. This makes them ideal for beginner growers, as they don’t require any light manipulation to flower. Autoflowers are usually smaller and more compact than regular cannabis strains, and they tend to produce smaller yields, but they are still capable of producing high-quality buds.
What is a Light Cycle?
A light cycle is the amount of time that a plant is exposed to light and dark. Plants use light cycles to determine when they should start flowering and producing buds. Regular cannabis strains require a specific light cycle in order to flower, while autoflowering strains are able to flower automatically without the need for light manipulation.
What is the Best Light Cycle for Autoflowers?
The best light cycle for autoflowering cannabis plants is 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. This is known as the 18/6 light cycle. Autoflowers will begin to flower automatically when they receive at least 18 hours of light per day. During the vegetative stage, autoflowers can be exposed to more than 18 hours of light, but during the flowering stage, autoflowers must receive no more than 18 hours of light per day.
Do Autoflowers Need Darkness?
Yes, autoflowers need darkness in order to flower properly. Autoflowers will begin to flower automatically when they receive at least 18 hours of light per day, but they must also receive 6 hours of darkness in order to flower properly. Autoflowers that are exposed to too much light will not flower properly, and they may even die if they are exposed to too much light for too long.
Can Autoflowers be Exposed to 24 Hours of Light?
No, autoflowers should never be exposed to 24 hours of light. Autoflowers should always receive at least 6 hours of darkness per day in order to flower properly. Autoflowers that are exposed to too much light will not flower properly, and they may even die if they are exposed to too much light for too long.
How Long Does it Take for Autoflowers to Flower?
The amount of time it takes for autoflowers to flower depends on the strain. Some autoflowering strains can flower in as little as 6 weeks, while others take up to 12 weeks.
Do Autoflowers Need Nutrients?
Yes, autoflowering cannabis plants need nutrients in order to grow and produce buds. Autoflowers need a balanced diet of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in order to thrive. Autoflowers also need other micronutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Can I Use a Grow Light for Autoflowers?
Yes, you can use a grow light for autoflowering cannabis plants. However, you should make sure that the light you are using is the right type of light for autoflowers. LED grow lights are the best type of lights for autoflowers, as they provide the right amount of light without generating too much heat.
Do Autoflowers Need Water?
Yes, autoflowering cannabis plants need water in order to survive and produce buds. Autoflowers should be watered regularly, but not too often. The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings, as overwatering can lead to root rot and other problems.
Do Autoflowers Need Fertilizer?
Yes, autoflowering cannabis plants need fertilizer in order to grow and produce buds. Autoflowers need a balanced diet of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in order to thrive. Autoflowers also need other micronutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Autoflower?
An autoflower is a type of cannabis strain that has been bred to flower automatically, regardless of light cycles. This makes them ideal for beginner growers, as they don’t require any light manipulation to flower. Autoflowers are usually smaller and more compact than regular cannabis strains, and they tend to produce smaller yields, but they are still capable of producing high-quality buds.
What is a Light Cycle?
A light cycle is the amount of time that a plant is exposed to light and dark. Plants use light cycles to determine when they should start flowering and producing buds. Regular cannabis strains require a specific light cycle in order to flower, while autoflowering strains are able to flower automatically without the need for light manipulation.
What is the Best Light Cycle for Autoflowers?
The best light cycle for autoflowering cannabis plants is 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. This is known as the 18/6 light cycle. Autoflowers will begin to flower automatically when they receive at least 18 hours of light per day. During the vegetative stage, autoflowers can be exposed to more than 18 hours of light, but during the flowering stage, autoflowers must receive no more than 18 hours of light per day.
Do Autoflowers Need Darkness?
Yes, autoflowers need darkness in order to flower properly. Autoflowers will begin to flower automatically when they receive at least 18 hours of light per day, but they must also receive 6 hours of darkness in order to flower properly. Autoflowers that are exposed to too much light will not flower properly, and they may even die if they are exposed to too much light for too long.
Can Autoflowers be Exposed to 24 Hours of Light?
No, autoflowers should never be exposed to 24 hours of light. Autoflowers should always receive at least 6 hours of darkness per day in order to flower properly. Autoflowers that are exposed to too much light will not flower properly, and they may even die if they are exposed to too much light for too long.
How Long Does it Take for Autoflowers to Flower?
The amount of time it takes for autoflowers to flower depends on the strain. Some autoflowering strains can flower in as little as 6 weeks, while others take up to 12 weeks.
Do Autoflowers Need Nutrients?
Yes, autoflowering cannabis plants need nutrients in order to grow and produce buds. Autoflowers need a balanced diet of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in order to thrive. Autoflowers also need other micronutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Can I Use a Grow Light for Autoflowers?
Yes, you can use a grow light for autoflowering cannabis plants. However, you should make sure that the light you are using is the right type of light for autoflowers. LED grow lights are the best type of lights for autoflowers, as they provide the right amount of light without generating too much heat.
Do Autoflowers Need Water?
Yes, autoflowering cannabis plants need water in order to survive and produce buds. Autoflowers should be watered regularly, but not too often. The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings, as overwatering can lead to root rot and other problems.
Do Autoflowers Need Fertilizer?
Yes, autoflowering cannabis plants need fertilizer in order to grow and produce buds. Autoflowers need a balanced diet of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in order to thrive. Autoflowers also need other micronutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Conclusion
Autoflowering cannabis plants are becoming increasingly popular as more growers discover the benefits of growing these low-maintenance plants. Autoflowers are easy to grow, require less attention, and produce quality buds in a much shorter period of time than regular cannabis strains. In order to get the best results from your autoflowering plants, you need to provide them with the right light cycle. The best light cycle for autoflowering cannabis plants is 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. Autoflowers also need darkness, nutrients, water, and fertilizer in order to grow and produce buds. With the right light cycle, nutrients