Cannabis Ruderalis A.K.A The Autoflower
History:
Cannabis Ruderalis is a subspecies of the cannabis plant that originates from the harsh climates of Russia and Central Asia. It evolved to survive in these challenging conditions by developing the ability to flower automatically based on age, rather than relying on changes in light cycles like Sativa and Indica strains. Modern autoflowering cannabis strains generally have a majority blend of both Sativa and Indica in their genetics, but what makes them flower automatically is the trace amounts of the Ruderalis genes that can make up anywhere from 1% -5% or more of their lineage. Ruderalis literally translates into ”pavement weed” because it is so hardy and it used to pop up everywhere between the pavements of Russia. In the 1970s, breeders began experimenting with crossing Ruderalis with other cannabis strains, leading to the development of modern autoflowering strains.
Although modern autoflowers only contain a small percentage of Ruderalis genes, they still have very hardy and resilient characteristics making them increasingly popular for home growers and commercial cultivars alike.
Benefits:
Autoflowering strains offer several advantages for growers:
- Fast growth cycle: Autoflowers typically go from seed to harvest in just 8-10 weeks.
- Compact size: These plants usually stay small, making them ideal for discreet growing or limited space.
- Resilience: Thanks to their Ruderalis genes, autoflowers are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors.
- Economical: Autoflowers require less water and nutrients
- Year-round growing: Since they don’t rely on light cycles, autoflowers can be grown outdoors multiple times per year.
Popularity:
Autoflowering strains have gained significant popularity both among new and experienced growers in recent years. The ease of growing, fast turnover, and resilience to loadshedding make them an attractive choice for many cultivators in South Africa. Since the 2000’s rapid advancements in breeding have led to autoflowering strains with higher potency and yields, further increasing their appeal.
Potency:
In the past, autoflowers were known for having lower THC content compared to photoperiod strains. However, modern breeding techniques have allowed for the development of autoflowering strains with THC levels comparable to their photoperiod counterparts. Modern autoflower strains with THC levels exceeding 20% have become quite common with some reaching levels of 25% or higher.
Cultivation:
Growing autoflowering cannabis plants is relatively simple, as they don’t require a change in light cycle to begin flowering. They also tend to be less demanding in terms of nutrients and water. However, due to their short life cycle, any mistakes or stressors can significantly impact yields. The opposite is also true so providing the right growing conditions, including well-draining soil, proper pH, and adequate light, one can achieve amazing results. Experienced growers have started to come back to autoflowers to challenge and sharpen their growing skills. The shortened timeline of these plants mean you can push them to the max with 24 hours of light and really test your growing capabilities and cannabis knowledge.
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