At Flora Seed Bank, we’re often asked about the viability of taking cuttings from autoflower plants. The short answer? Yes, it’s technically possible, but the benefits may not outweigh the effort. Here’s a deeper dive into the topic:
Auto flower plants can indeed be cloned, resulting in genetic replicas of the original plant. However, their fixed 10–12-week lifespan significantly limits the potential benefits of cloning. Typically, cuttings from auto flowers will have little time to develop into substantial plants, yielding only a few buds.
Cloning involves carefully removing a branch or growing tip, treating it with rooting hormone, and transplanting it into new grow medium. While this process can be successful with feminized cannabis seeds, autoflower genetics present unique challenges.
Unlike photoperiod cannabis, which can be kept in vegetative growth for extended periods, auto flowers automatically transition from vegetative growth to flowering within a predetermined timeframe. This means that any cuttings taken from auto flowers will inherit this limited lifespan, hindering their ability to mature fully.
Even if a cutting manages to establish roots and grow, it typically consumes around 5-6 weeks of its lifespan in the process. The resulting plant often remains small and yields minimal harvest, making it less efficient use of grow room space compared to growing from fresh seeds.
Experienced growers have experimented with techniques like topping autoflower plants to increase yield, but results have been mixed. The limited time available for cuttings to develop restricts their potential, leading many growers to prefer growing from fresh seeds for optimal results.
Despite the challenges of cloning auto flowers, their unique characteristics make them valuable for other cultivation methods, such as perpetual harvesting. By staggering the germination of auto flower seeds every two weeks and maintaining a consistent light cycle, growers can ensure a regular supply of fresh buds without the need for extensive trimming or manual effort at harvest.
The perpetual harvest method allows for a predictable rotation of maturing plants, ensuring a continuous supply of high-quality cannabis. With proper care and cultivation techniques, auto flowers can deliver impressive yields and potency comparable to photoperiod strains.
At Flora Seed Bank, we recognize the popularity of autoflower seeds and the benefits they offer to growers. While cloning may not be practical for autoflowers, techniques like perpetual harvesting provide an efficient way to maximize yield and quality without the need for cloning. Explore our selection of autoflower seeds and discover the possibilities for your next harvest.
