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When to harvest autoflower cannabis is a question many growers ask themselves. The vegetative stage of autoflowering cannabis is relatively short.
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Introduction
Autoflowering cannabis strains have become very popular in recent years. They are easy to grow, and they don’t need to be given as much attention as regular strains. However, many growers still don’t know when the best time to harvest their autoflowers is.
The flowering stage of an autoflower is much shorter than the flowering stage of a regular cannabis plant. This is because autoflowers are not affected by changes in the light cycle (such as longer nights during the fall). Instead, they flower based on their age.
Most autoflowers will be ready to harvest between 60 and 70 days after they are planted. However, there is some variation among different strains. For example, some strains may be ready to harvest after just 55 days, while others may take 75 days or more.
When harvesting autoflowers, it is important to pay attention to the trichomes (the tiny resin glands that contain THC). You will want to harvest your plants when the trichomes are mostly clear or milky white in color. If most of the trichomes are dark brown or black, this means that the plants have been left to flower for too long and the THC has started to degrade.
It is also worth noting that autoflowers tend to produce less THC than regular cannabis strains. This is because they have a shorter flowering time and do not have as much time to develop THC-rich buds. However, this does not mean that autoflowers are not strong – some strains can still pack a punch!
The Basics of Autoflowers
Autoflower cannabis is a type of cannabis that flowers and is ready to harvest automatically, without the need to change the light cycle. This makes them a great option for beginner growers, as they are easy to care for and don’t require a lot of experience.
What are autoflowers?
Autoflowers are cannabis plants that flower automatically without the need to change the lights. They are a type of cannabis that has been specifically bred to flower based on their age rather than the light cycle. This means that they flower regardless of whether they are exposed to 12 hours of light or 24 hours of light.
Autoflowers are often smaller than regular cannabis plants and have a shorter lifespan. However, they are much easier to grow and can be ready to harvest in as little as 8 weeks from seed.
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The best time to harvest autoflowering cannabis is when the plant is at its peak maturity. This usually occurs around 8-10 weeks after planting the seeds. However, some autoflowers can take up to 12 weeks to reach peak maturity.
You will know when your plant is ready to harvest when the majority of the trichomes have turned from clear to milky white. Once the trichomes start turning amber, the THC levels will start to degrade and the buds will start to lose their potency.
To get the most out of your autoflowering plants, it is important to harvest them at the right time. If you wait too long, you will not get maximum THC levels and if you harvest too early, the buds will not be fully developed.
The pros and cons of autoflowers
Autoflowers are a type of cannabis plant that flowers automatically, regardless of the light cycle. This means that they can be grown from seed to harvest in as little as 8-10 weeks!
There are several advantages to growing autoflowers. Firstly, they are very easy to grow – even beginners can have success with them. Secondly, they don’t need as much time and attention as regular cannabis plants. And thirdly, they are very discreet and can be easily hidden away if need be.
There are some disadvantages to autoflowers too. The main one is that they don’t produce as much bud as regular cannabis plants. This is because they have a shorter flowering time and less time to grow big and strong. Additionally, autoflowers can be more difficult to clone (take cuttings from) than regular plants.
So, if you’re thinking about growing autoflowers, there are a few things you need to consider before you start. In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of autoflowers so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not they are right for you.
When to Harvest Autoflowers
Autoflower cannabis plants are a bit different when it comes to harvesting. Unlike traditional cannabis plants that are dependent on the light cycle, autoflowers are not. This means that autoflowers can be harvested any time of the day or night. However, there are still a few things to consider before harvesting your autoflowers. In this article, we will go over when the best time to harvest autoflowers is.
The stages of the autoflower life cycle
All autoflowers go through the same stages of life regardless of the cannabis strain. However, the length of time each stage takes can differ depending on the specific autoflowering cannabis strain.
The life cycle of an autoflower can be broken down into 4 main stages:
-Germination
-Vegetative
-Flowering
-RIPE
During the germination stage, your autoflower seeds will sprout and develop their first set of leaves, also known as cotyledon or seed leaves. The time it takes for your seeds to germinate will depend on the quality of your seeds and the method you used to germinate them. However, most autoflowers should sprout within 24-48 hours when using the paper towel method.
Once your autoflowers have germinated, they will enter the vegetative stage. This is when your plants will grow taller and develop more leaves. The vegetative stage is when your plants need the most amount of light (preferably 18 hours per day). Depending on the cannabis strain, your plant could stay in this stage for anywhere between 2 weeks to 4 weeks. However, some growers choose to extend the vegetative stage even further in order to allow their plants more time to grow before entering the flowering stage.
The flowering stage is when your autoflowers will begin to develop buds (the part of the plant that contains all the goodies). To trigger this process, you simply need to reduce the amount of light your plants are receiving per day from 18 hours down to 12 hours. Your plants will now begin to flower regardless of how much light they are receiving per day (hence why they are called “auto-flowering”). The length of time it takes for your plant to go from seedling to fully mature adult plant ready for harvest can differ depending on which cannabis strain you are growing. However, most autoflowers should be ready for harvest within 8 weeks from seedling. Some faster strains can be ready in as little as 6 weeks while others might take 10 weeks or more.
Once you determine that your autoflower is ready for harvest, it’s now time to cut down your plant and dry/cure your buds so that they are ready for consumption. This final stage is known as “RIPE”. How long it takes for your buds to dry/cure will depend on a number of factors such as humidity levels, temperature and air circulation. However, most buds should be dry within 10 days to 2 weeks.
How to determine when your autoflowers are ready to harvest
To determine when your autoflowers are ready to harvest, you will need to pay close attention to the trichomes on the buds. The trichomes are the tiny, hairlike structures that cover the surface of the buds and they contain high concentrations of THC. You can observe the trichomes using a jeweler’s loupe or a magnifying glass.
When the trichomes are clear, it means that the THC content is low and the plant is not yet ready for harvesting. As the plant matures, the trichomes will begin to turn from clear to milky white. This is when the THC content is at its peak and the plant is ready for harvest. If you wait too long to harvest, the trichomes will begin to turn brown and this indicates that the THC content is beginning to degrade.
Conclusion
To avoid problems with over- or under-harvesting your autoflowering cannabis plants, it’s important to learn how to read the signs they give you. With a little practice, you’ll be able to tell when your plants are ready for harvest just by looking at them.
The best way to learn is by experience, so don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Try harvest your plants a few days early and see how they affect the quality and potency of your final product. Then, try harvesting a few days late and see the difference. After a few tries, you’ll have a good feel for when your plants are ready to harvest.
