Feminized seeds and automatics – which one to choose?

Many stores offering marijuana seeds, the so-called seed banks, categorize their seed assortment depending on many parameters, e.g. the taste of the variety, THC content, intended use for cultivation (indoor and outdoor), etc. One of such basic distinctions in the world of cannabis is undoubtedly: automatic or feminized seeds – in which not everyone knows what it means. Due to this inaccuracy, it is not entirely clear which seeds to choose for your collection. In this entry we will try to dispel any doubts related to this.

Feminized – what does it mean? 

Seeds feminized is a type of cannabis seed that has been specially bred and processed to increase the likelihood of producing exclusively female plants. In the context of growing marijuana, female plants are desirable because they produce flowers (buds) that contain cannabinoids such as THC and CBD.

In nature, cannabis is a dioecious plant, which means it can develop as either male or female plants. However, in marijuana cultivation, male plants are usually undesirable because they can pollinate female plants, leading to seed production and reduced bud quality and quantity.

To obtain feminized seeds, breeders use various methods, such as stressing the female plant to produce pollen or using special chemical stimulants. This pollen is then used to fertilize another female plant, producing seeds that will most likely produce female plants.

Using feminized seeds is popular among marijuana growers because it greatly simplifies the growing process by eliminating the need to identify and remove male plants, which is necessary with regular seeds.

Regular vs. feminized

The difference between feminized and regular seeds mainly concerns the sex of the plants that grow from them and their genetics:

1. Feminized seeds:
   • These are seeds that have been genetically modified or treated with special methods to almost always produce female plants.
   • Growing from feminized seeds is more predictable because growers can be almost certain that all plants will be female and produce buds (dried hemp).
   • These are preferred by growers who do not want to deal with separating male plants that may pollinate female plants and lead to the production of seeds instead of buds.
2. Regular seeds:
   • These are natural, unaltered seeds that can be produced by both male and female plants in approximately equal proportions.
   • Growing from regular seed requires more attention because male plants must be identified and removed to avoid pollination of female plants.
   • Regular seeds are often chosen by experienced breeders and breeders who want to create their own crosses or maintain natural genetic diversity.

The main difference is that feminized seeds give growers more certainty about the sex of plants and are more convenient to grow, while regular seeds require more involved breeding but offer greater genetic diversity and opportunities to experiment with crossbreeding.

Automatic seeds - what does it mean?

Autoflowering seeds, also known as autoflowering seeds, are a type of cannabis seed that automatically transitions from the vegetative phase to the flowering phase after a set period of time, regardless of the amount of light they receive. This means that they do not require a change in the light cycle (length of day and night) to induce flowering, unlike traditional (photoperiodic) marijuana strains.

The key features of auto seeds are:

1. Autoflowering: Plants from autoflowering seeds begin flowering after a certain period of time after emergence, usually 2-4 weeks.
2. Short life cycle: These plants typically reach full maturity within 8-10 weeks of emergence, allowing for faster harvesting.
3. Smaller size: Autoflowers are usually smaller than photoperiod varieties, making them suitable for growing in confined spaces.
4. Resistance and ease of cultivation: They tend to be more resistant to environmental changes and growing errors, making them a good choice for beginner growers.

Automatic seeds were created by crossing traditional cannabis strains, mainly sativa i indica, with Cannabis ruderalis – a cannabis variety that naturally flowers in the short summer months of high latitudes.

What are the differences – feminized seeds and autos?

Now that we know what feminized means and what autoflowers are, we can move on to the differences (if any) between these seeds. Let's start with the fact that the term "feminized” very often refers not only to female seeds, but also to seeds full-season. On many forums, the so-called photoperiod cannabis varieties full-season products are called feminized. Although, as we know, this term does not determine the length of the cultivation itself, only the gender. And as we know, photoperiod varieties mean that the development cycle of the plant that will produce a seed will depend on the length of the day and night. The flowering itself will only begin when the days are short enough.

So, automatic seeds can be feminized - which means that they will flower on their own without changing the amount of light (automatic) and produce a female crop (feminized).

That is, feminized seeds and automatic seeds refers to the difference in the time needed to breed the variety. Although in our opinion, defining full-season products as feminized is not entirely correct. The term "automatic" or "season" should be much more precise, as both of them can be female, i.e. feminized.

Which choose? Automatic or feminized (full-season)? 

When choosing between automatic (autoflowering) and seasonal (photoperiod) seeds, it is worth considering several key factors:

1. Cultivation experience:
   • Beginner growers may prefer automatic seeds due to their simplicity and tolerance to growing errors.
   • Experienced growers can choose seasonal seeds to have more control over plant growth and structure.
2. Life cycle and harvest speed:
   • Auto seeds have a quick life cycle (approximately 8-10 weeks), which is perfect for those looking to harvest quickly.
   • Seasonal seeds have a longer life cycle, which can lead to larger, more extensive plants and potentially greater yields.
3. Size and growing space:
   • Auto seeds typically produce smaller plants, which is beneficial in confined spaces such as small gardens or indoor grows.
   • Seasonal seeds can grow to large sizes, which is suitable for larger spaces and outdoor crops.
4. Climatic conditions:
   • In regions with a short growing season, automatic seeds may be a better choice because they are not dependent on day length.
   • In regions with a long growing season and stable climatic conditions, seasonal seeds may produce better results.
5. Personal preferences:
   • Consider your preferences for the effects, taste, aroma and potency of specific strains available in automatic or seasonal form.
6. Purpose of cultivation:
   • If you're growing marijuana for medical purposes, different strains may have different medicinal properties, which can also influence your seed selection.

To sum up, the choice between automatic and seasonal seeds depends on your individual needs, growing conditions, experience and the goals you want to achieve.

Summary - What to choose? Automatic or feminized strains?

Choose full-season feminized seeds if:

• you want to get the best out of your chosen cannabis genetics;
• you started the cultivation at the right time or you know your stuff and you have sufficient artificial lighting;
• you are not afraid of too much height that marijuana can reach and/or you know the right growing techniques to solve this problem;
• you are not afraid of the very intense aromas emitted during the flowering of the plant.

Choose automatic seeds if:

• you are looking for a compact plant;
• you intend to get a quick harvest;
• you decide to grow indoors, without special knowledge of cannabis photoperiod;
• you prefer a bush with a less intense scent.

Remember in Poland the cultivation of cannabis is illegal. If you dream of a self-grown marijuana bush, do it in those places in the world where it is allowed! 😊

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Disclaimer

WARNING! In Poland, the law prohibits the cultivation of hemp other than fibrous. This post is not intended to encourage you to break the law. All content related to the cultivation and processing of marijuana is for educational and curiosity purposes only. Currently, more and more countries in the world allow their citizens to grow a marijuana bush for their own use, but Poland is not one of these countries yet.