Autoflowering cannabis plants do not rely on a reduction in daylight hours to bring about flowering.

This trait was originally found in Cannabis Ruderalis plants growing in regions of Siberia where summers are shorter and the transition to winter can be sudden and unpredictable.

Although ruderalis normally has little more than a headache going for it, thanks to creative crossbreeding it has been possible to produce hybrid strains which combine its autoflowering attributes with more desirable indica and sativa characteristics.

These autoflowering strains also tend to flower quicker than their photoperiod cousins.

Once known for being small, low yielding but discreet plants, thanks to developments in second and third generation autoflowerers any reservations about them are a thing of the past. With some autoflowerers claiming yields as high as 650 grams, plants climbing as high as 1.6 metres and germination-to-harvest times as little as 50 days it’s easy to see why many, particularly novices, are being won over by autoflowering strains.

There are many Cannabis Awards given out by different organisations, but the majority of the more high profile awards take place in the US and Europe. The most famous of these is the Cannabis Cup, which is held each year in Amsterdam. Cannabis strains grown by different breeders are judged by an expert panel who have a wealth of knowledge in the field. Other examples being: The Spannabis Champions Cup, The High Times Cannabis Cup, The Highlife Cup, Medical Cups; Sativa Cups, Hemp Awards, Glass Cups, 420 Product Cups, as well as many more. The list of Cannabis Cup winners is like a who´s who of the international cannabis industry.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is just one of more than 80 compounds that have been found in cannabis. Collectively known as cannabinoids, the two which occur in the highest concentrations are CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC. While THC is the main psychoactive constituent in cannabis, responsible for its intoxicating effects, CBD is more closely identified with its medicinal properties.

While strains with a higher ratio of CBD to THC are still most definitely psychoactive their effects are markedly different to those with greater levels of THC.

There is now evidence that CBD has significant pharmacological benefits. As well as acting as a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, CBD has also hit the headlines recently for its apparent ability to reduce the frequency of seizures in some sufferers as well as slow down or even halt the spread of some cancers.

Along with THC and CBD, CBN is one of the main cannibinoids found in Cannabis plants. CBN (cannabinol) is produced as THC ages and breaks down, this process is known as oxidisation. Increased levels of CBN tend to alter the effects of the THC.

In their natural state cannabis plants have a 50/50 chance of developing into either female plants or pollen-producing males. After the female flowers have been fertilised by the air blown pollen from the males they then produce the seeds which become the following year’s crop.

Feminised seeds do not occur naturally but are created by the dark arts of advanced horticultural techniques. Feminised seeds will only produce female plants. If unfertilised by a male these females will continue to flower and bud rather than moving on to the seed production phase. 

There are distinct growth cycles in the life of a cannabis plant. Germination and seedling phases are followed by the vegetative growth period. However, once the plant starts to produce flowers it has moved into its flowering cycle.

The genes inherited from parent plants. Genetic makeup is the most important factor dictating vigour and potency. Seedbanks and breeders try to combine the best genetic traits of various plants by crossing different strains together.

A plant’s height is primarily dictated by its genetic make up. However, it can also be affected by a myriad of other factors; such as temperature, plant pot size, pruning, and nutrient/feeding regime.

An offspring derived from two plants of different breeds, variety, or genetic make-up.

There are three different varieties of cannabis: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica and cannabis ruderalis.

Indica plants originated in the Hindu Kush areas of Central Asia, where the weather is changeable and growing conditions can be harsh. Hardy plants, they mature early and are characterised by broad, short leaves and heavy, tight flowers. Indica varieties are ideal for indoor and outdoor cultivation in Europe.

Strains of cannabis that have been specifically developed to grow well under artificial lights and in a controlled indoor grow setup.

Landrace refers to a variety of plant which has developed naturally within its own environment. In general, these strains are a lot hardier than genetically modified strains and are better able to cope with disease, pests and mould. Much can be taken from these varieties in the continued genetic development of cannabis strains.

Seeds that have just been released for general sale by the seedbanks.

Much has been written about the continued studies to determine the medicinal properties of the cannabis plants. Several states in the U.S. have now allowed the use of medical marijuana for a range of conditions and ailments. As a general rule, the higher the level of CBD in a strain, the greater its medicinal value.

Most seedbanks now offer mixed seed packs for sale. The content of each seed pack is determined by the seed bank selling it, however the contents of each pack will be clearly indicated on the pack. It is common for the seed banks to include all-indicas or all-sativas in their mixed seed packs.

Strains of cannabis that have been specifically developed to grow well in an outdoor environment. These plants are usually hardier than plants designed to be grown indoors, and also have an increased resistance to disease, pests and mould.

A harvest that is taken from a plant that has been grown outdoors. Our seeds will often display an Outdoor Harvest date on the product page. This refers to the likely time of year that the seed would be ready for harvest based on an outdoors grow. Typically, the yield from an outdoor harvest will be greater than the same plant grown indoors.

Unlike their autoflowering cousins, photoperiod plants rely on increased hours of darkness to trigger flowering. Outdoors this occurs naturally with the change of seasons, while indoors it can be controlled by the individual grower as they alter the plant’s light cycle from 18-24 hours of light per day to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.

Regular seeds have not gone through the feminisation process as described in the Feminised Seeds section. Therefore there is a 50% chance that the seed will develop into a female plant.

There are three different varieties of cannabis: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica and cannabis ruderalis.
Ruderalis is a variety of cannabis that grows wild in parts of Eastern Europe and Russia. Ruderalis is ideal for cultivation in cooler climates with changeable conditions. It is characterised by its early flowering, with some plants starting irrespective of the photoperiod – making it the basis for the autoflowering strains we see today. There are hybrid varieties available that combine ruderalis with sativa and indica.

There are three different varieties of cannabis: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica and cannabis ruderalis.
Cannabis sativa plants are characterised by long thin flowers and spiky leaves. They originate from equatorial regions where the growing season is hotter. They are not generally used for outdoor cultivation in colder, damper climates, although some hybrids can produce reasonable yields in these conditions.

Companies which produce their own cannabis strains and seeds, such as Green House or Barney’s Farm, are commonly known as seed banks.

When we refer to “Strong Strains” we are referring to plants with the potential to contain a higher than average level of THC.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary cannibinoid and psychoactive compound found in Cannabis plants.

The amount of crop weight that is taken from any given harvested plant. Figures quoted on our site are taken directly from the seed banks, and this figure usually relates to plants that have been grown in perfect conditions by expert gardeners who have years of cultivation experience.