Do Autoflowers Make Seeds?

Like any other plant autoflowers can produce seeds, but you need male and female plants plant for this to work. Learn how breeders breed autoflowering seeds, what stress factors lead to seeds forming, and the origins of autoflower genetics. Read about feminised seeds, why cloning autoflowers is ineffective, and whether male autoflowers exist.

Can autoflowers produce seeds?

Yes, in short autoflowers can make seeds. Breeders breed autoflowering seeds by pollinating female autoflower plants with male pollen. This process involves having both a mother plant and a male plant. When the buds on the female plant have been fertilized by the pollen, seeds will start to grow inside the flowers. The seeds will also carry the autoflowering trait.

Do autoflower plants produce autoflower seeds?

If both parents are autoflowering plants, then yes. However, the seeds made by any cannabis plant, such as autoflowers, inherit characteristics from both of their parents. Auto seeds are carefully bred by crossing a regular cannabis strain with a ruderalis variety, which passes on the autoflowering characteristic. If an auto plant is pollinated by a non-autoflowering strain, the resulting seeds would not necessarily be autoflowers. The more breeding between autoflowers and non-autoflowers the more the ruderalis genetics 'autoflowering' trait would be bred out of the plant.

What makes a stressed autoflower produce seeds?

Stress in all cannabis plants can make them make seeds and is really a survival mechanism. When an auto plant experiences stress, which could be caused by anything such as nutrient imbalances, physical damage or illness, it can make the plant go into survival mode. In this situation, the plant's main goal is to reproduce and keep its genetics going after it dies. While distressed a female plant can develop male flowers or become hermaphroditic, allowing it to self-pollinate. This self-pollination results in the production of seeds, which the plant creates as a natural response to ensure its genetics continues despite the stress.

Image reference: cannabis plant that has turned hermie

How do you get an autoflower to make seeds?

It's not a good idea to stress a plant into self-pollination as this could potentially damage the plant. Breeders use various pollination methods. One common method is hand pollination, where breeders collect pollen from a male plant and gently brush it onto the buds of a female plant. The advantage of this approach is that as a breeder you can choose the best female plant and https://nativesusa.com/ [nativesusa.com] the best male plant and only breed those, creating even better offspring.

Another method is natural pollination, where male and female plants are grown together in the same space, allowing natural pollination to occur. A more precise method is targeted pollination, where breeders separate specific branches of a female plant and brush pollen to those areas only.

Are autoflower seeds feminised?

No, not all autoflower seeds are feminised. However, to make your growing easier, all the seeds we stock at Auto Seeds are feminized.

Standard autoflower seeds are available and will produce both male and female autoflower plants. However, they are not very common and unless you are a breeder growing regular autoflowers is pointless.

Where does autoflower genetics come from?

Autoflower genetics come from a wild cannabis variety called Cannabis ruderalis, which is native to Siberia. The extreme weather conditions and short summers where it grows have pushed the plants to adapt by developing the ability to flower on their own, regardless of light cycles. This unique trait allows autoflowers to complete their life cycle fast, making them well-suited for regions with shorter summers. Breeders such as Auto Seeds have since crossed ruderalis with other cannabis strains to develop modern autoflowers that bring together automatic flowering with desirable traits like bigger yields and potency.

Image reference: ruderalis cannabis plant

How many seeds can a single autoflower plant produce?

A single autoflower plant can produce over 1,000 cannabis seeds depending on the strain and how large the plant is.

Why shouldn't you propagate autoflower plants?

While theoretically possible, cloning autoflower plants is just not very effective. Autoflowers only have 2-4 weeks in the vegetative stage and if you propagate an autoflower, it requires time to establish roots and start growing. However, before the clone can establish itself, the plant's biological clock will cause it to start flowering. The result is a small, underdeveloped plant with minimal bud production.

So yes, you can propagate autoflowers, but you would only produce enough weed for a couple of joints.

Can you get male autoflowers?

Yes, you can get male auto plants. Standard autoflower seeds give you both male and female plants. However, you just don't find regular seeds very frequently unless you are breeding your own strains.