best advice is to stop growing with ruderalis genetics unless you want inferior smoke. Guys who grow autos will lie and say otherwise but reality doesn’t change for anybody. Ruderalis dilutes genetics
Danjac82
With all due respect, you haven't the foggiest of what you're talking about when it comes to Autos.
Straight up, here is the downside to Autos...
First, the volume you can grow will be less as the trigger to flower is genetically built in as a result of the Ruderalis...(3-5 weeks) that said, there are auto strains that you should easily be able to blast off 4+ozs with.
Second, if you're a commercial grower, you want photos as you can't clone autos in the same manner with cuttings..you have to use seed. Having offspring that are consistent from a mother plant is an advantage.
Lastly, they are race cars, once that seed is popped they are on a time to crank out as much bud as possible..No time for rookie mistakes as you simply can't reset the clock..AUTOs are planted in the same pots you intend to finish them in.
Autos have been bred for years, probably longer than some of the growers on these boards have been around, and have more than enough breeding to impart the same terpenes and cannabinoids as photos...Anyone claiming otherwise is giving you no more than "I read it in a book once!?"
Spitting crap out of their arse.
Many Autos are producing north of 25% THC...The reason, photos are slightly ahead, regarding the latest genetics...and I'm talking the top 1/2 percent..(30%+ THC, or special THCV strains)They're represent the foundation and first line of cannabis breeding; they are easier to breed and backcross, because you can clone them and keep them alive indefinitely. Makes breeding much easier. Auto versions will be created from these quality photos once the genes are nailed down.
That said, AUTO's can give you every bit as good a Terp or cannabinoids profile if you buy the genetics of companies who have put the years of legwork into them..
On the plus side for Autos..
There compact nature makes them easier to deal with for the indoor grower.
The rapid growth means you can crank through more crops..thus more diversity in what you grow. **Keep in mind, AUTOs continue their rapid growth during flower as the lights are still on 20 hours a day stimulating cannabinoids and Terps as opposed to being cut back to 12hours like photos.**
Second, and most importantly, for outdoor growers in the Northern Hemisphere..Super Important! .Many outdoor growers would not be able to participate in the hobby if it weren't for autos...photos often won't finish in time, even if started early inside due to the diminishing light trigger...So if you want to avoid hauling over-sized pots inside and out to extend your season, or want to avoid having to throw tarps over them to trigger flowering early..people grow Autos.
And as an aside (outdoor grow benefit) the Sun's UV and infrared light profile enhances Cannabinoid profiles beyond those little UV/IR lights most rely on in the tent.
I grow my Autos on a 20/4 cycle as research suggests..that little break of darkness is beneficial to the Auto
Toad
