Blog

Autoflowering plants have become a popular alternative within cannabis cultivation because they do not depend on photoperiod, that is, they do not need changes in light to flower. Their main feature is that they do it automatically when they reach a certain age, which makes it much easier to handle and allows quick cycles of between 8 and 12 weeks. In this tour we are going to delve into how to grow autoflowering plants, what stages they go through, when to plant them in Spain, how they behave indoors and outdoors, what mistakes you should avoid and what are the most common doubts that those who approach these varieties usually have. The idea is that you finish reading with a clear and complete vision to plan your own crop with confidence and realism. Preparing to Grow Autoflowering Plants The first thing when thinking about how to grow autoflowering plants is to organize the starting environment well. Choosing quality seeds will give you more stability, since not all genetics react the same to the weather or care. Once chosen, you have to decide on the size of the pot. With autoflowering plants, it is not advisable to transplant, so it is best to use a definitive pot from the beginning, between 10 and 18 liters. In this way, the roots develop without interruption. The substrate also makes a big difference. The best results usually come from light mixtures with perlite, which prevent waterlogging and help the roots breathe. The key here is to think that the beginning of the cycle is like the foundations of a house: the more solid, the better everything else will hold. With this preparation ready, the path to a more balanced crop will be much easier. Stages of growing autoflowering plants Germination Germination is the phase in which the seed awakens. It usually takes between 2 and 7 days, depending on genetics and conditions. Here the most important thing is that the seed has moisture, gentle heat and enough darkness. The radicle is the first root to emerge, and as soon as it settles in the substrate, cotyledons appear, those rounded leaves that allow the plant to start photosynthesis. At this time it is fragile: any irrigation or temperature error can stop its development. Vegetative growth After germination, the plant enters its vegetative growth phase, which lasts 2 to 4 weeks. During this time it expands its roots, thickens the stem, and produces fan-shaped leaves that will function as solar panels. Although brief, this phase is decisive because it determines how much energy you will accumulate for flowering. At this point, it is advisable to maintain moderate watering and ensure that the substrate is aerated. A plant that grows vigorously in this period will bloom more strongly afterwards. Early flowering From the third or fourth week, the autoflowering begins its flowering without the need for changes in light. This trait comes from their ruderalis genetics. The first thing you’ll notice are small white pistils poking out of the nodes on the stem. It is also common for the plant to stretch a little more in search of space and energy. At this stage, it’s a good idea to adjust nutrients, reducing nitrogen and favoring flowering-oriented fertilizers. Advanced flowering Between the fifth and eighth week, the buds begin to fatten and the pistils multiply. The aroma intensifies and the plant directs practically all its energy to producing flowers. Here it is key to keep an eye on humidity and maintain good ventilation, as the risk of fungi increases with the density of the buds. You will also notice that some old leaves yellow; This is normal, because the plant redirects its resources to the flowering sites. Maturation and harvest The final stage comes between the eighth and twelfth week, depending on genetics. The pistils change color to amber or brown hues, and the trichomes go from clear to milky and then to amber. This detail indicates the maturity of the plant’s compounds. The exact time of harvest depends on the desired result, but most growers wait until most trichomes are opaque and with a small percentage of amber. At this point, watering is reduced and the plant is prepared for the final cut. When to plant autoflowers in Spain In Spain, the ideal is to plant between the end of April and July, taking advantage of the months with more sunlight. If you plant too early you run the risk of frost slowing or damaging growth, and if you plant too late, the hours of autumn light will limit the yield. This window of time coincides with the season of greatest natural energy, and taking advantage of it makes a big difference in the results. Ideal climatic conditions for autoflowering plants Weather conditions vary by region. In Mediterranean areas, the abundance of sun is perfect, although humidity can favour fungi, which forces you to pay more attention to ventilation. In inland areas, dry heat can be a problem if regular watering is not maintained. And in colder areas, such as the north, you have to look for the warmest window to ensure that the plant completes its cycle. Adapting the calendar to each area is essential so as not to waste the potential of autoflowers. Indoor vs outdoor cultivation of autoflowering plants When deciding how to grow autoflowering plants, one of the most common doubts is whether to do it indoors or outdoors. Both options have advantages and limitations, and the choice will depend on factors such as the climate in your area, the budget available, the level of control you want to have over the process, and, of course, the discretion you seek. A good understanding of what each method offers is key to making the most of the potential of these plants, as their short life cycle requires making the right decisions from the start. Interior Growing indoors offers absolute control over the environment: you can decide the hours of light, keep the temperature

Growing cannabis indoors without a tent is, in short, a homemade way to make use of a room in the house for plants without the need to set up a closed structure. It’s a simple approach, designed for those looking for discretion and practicality rather than complicated technical deployment. The idea is to have a basic but functional space, where you have enough control over the light, the air and the environment in general so that the cannabis grows in good health. Throughout this text we will explain how growers usually choose the most suitable room, what type of lighting they usually use, how ventilation is organized, how they manage odors and what safety precautions are taken in mind Why grow cannabis indoors without a tent? The idea of growing indoors without a tent arises as an alternative when growers prefer not to resort to closed and specialized structures. Instead of investing in a complete wardrobe, you take advantage of an existing space in the home, such as a room, a storage room or a little-used corner. What is sought with this choice is not so much technical sophistication as practicality: a domestic environment that can be kept tidy, with some control over ventilation and cleaning. Some people value the privacy that comes with using your own space without bulky equipment. Safety within the home also plays a role, as an assembly without a wardrobe requires fewer additional installations, and coexistence in shared buildings, where discretion becomes a key issue.   Which room is best for growing indoors without a tent? The choice of room is at the heart of this type of setup. It depends on it that everything else can work with a certain harmony. What you are looking for is a space that is easy to maintain: easy to clean, discreet and with a certain independence from the rest of the house. At this point, location, size and even small details such as the order or color of the walls come into play. The place chosen is usually thought of with a couple of clear criteria. Privacy is one of them: the less traffic that room has, the calmer the management of the space becomes. Natural ventilation also weighs in the decision, which is why rooms with windows are usually common, as they allow some air renewal and sunlight to enter at specific times of the day. Another aspect to consider is environmental stability. You want the room not to be too close to the kitchen or bathroom, where humidity and heat fluctuate more. An intermediate location, away from sources of humidity and noise, makes it easier for the environment to remain constant and not hinder daily life at home. The size and importance of order There is no universal measurement for space. What growers point out is that the wider it is, the more room there is to move and keep it tidy. That doesn’t mean a small room won’t do; With a little organization you can take advantage of it very well. The essential thing is that it is not overwhelming and that cleaning is kept up to date. The order here is not a minor detail. A clear room allows air to circulate better and hygiene to be sustained over time. Simple elements, such as firm shelves, closed containers or absorbent mats, help to make the space functional and safe. With that organized base, it is easier to incorporate extra resources, such as reflective surfaces. How to take advantage of reflective surfaces for indoor cultivation One of the most mentioned resources in this type of space is the use of surfaces that return light. It’s not about complicating yourself with difficult materials, but about something as basic as keeping the walls clear and clean. This detail helps the lighting to be better distributed and areas with marked shadows are avoided. Of course, this is all about being practical: choosing washable, moisture-resistant surfaces that are easy to integrate into the cleaning routine make the space work without adding complications. With all this in mind, it can be said that a suitable room combines strategic location, constant order, and a couple of simple tricks that improve the available light. Indoor Growing Lighting Light is one of the most important factors in any indoor installation. In projects without a closet, the focus is often split between what natural light brings from a room and what artificial options offer. Both have advantages and limits, and knowing them clearly helps to understand why growers combine or prioritize one over the other depending on the case. Natural light: how far it can go Sunlight is attractive because it does not require installations. A window that is well oriented, for example to the south, can let in several hours of direct sunlight. That gives a feeling of warmth and naturalness to the space. The problem is that the intensity and duration of that light change with the seasons, the location of the home, or even with external obstacles such as nearby buildings or tall trees. For that reason, many growers consider natural light more as a support than a reliable foundation. At certain times of the year it may be enough, but at others it falls short. And when radiation enters with too much force, the heat accumulated in the room becomes an additional challenge, which links to the need to ventilate and keep the temperature stable. Artificial lighting: regularity and control Faced with these limitations, artificial lighting appears as a more constant tool. Growers use LED or LEC technologies, which stand out for their energy efficiency and because they generate less heat than other traditional systems. In these cases, it is very important to ensure that the electrical installation is safe and can withstand the load of the lights with constant use. There is also the issue of distribution. If they are placed in a balanced way in the space, marked shaded areas are avoided, something that growers value

In cannabis cultivation, recognizing whether a plant is male or female is essential. The difference marks the course of the whole process: while the females are sought after for their flowers rich in aromatic and resinous compounds, the males fulfill a reproductive function by releasing pollen that, if it reaches the females, completely changes the expected result. That’s why those who grow these plants know that late identification can lead to costly mistakes, such as the loss of a seedless crop or the proliferation of unwanted seeds. Throughout this text, we will address when differences appear, what signals allow them to be distinguished and how they can be observed, both with simple resources and with specialized tools. What Sex Means in Cannabis Plants Sex in cannabis plants refers to the role that each specimen plays in reproduction. Unlike hermaphrodite plants that contain both male and female organs in the same flower, cannabis belongs to the dioecious group of species, which means that it has separate individuals: some that produce pollen and others that generate flowers capable of being fertilized. Male plants form reproductive structures that release pollen into the air. This pollen travels and, when it comes into contact with a female plant, fertilizes the ovules that are inside the calyxes. From this process, seeds emerge that guarantee the continuity of the species. Female plants, on the other hand, are the ones that develop the best-known inflorescences, made up of pistils that elongate in search of pollen. This explains why growers often prefer some plants over others for growing CBD buds. While the male is valued for its reproductive function and for the genetic material it provides, the female is more appreciated for its production of resinous flowers. When do you start to see the differences in cannabis? While cannabis seeds don’t immediately show whether they’ll give rise to a male or female plant, visible signs begin to appear as the weeks go by. These signs usually manifest themselves in what are known as pre-flowers, small formations that arise at the nodes, right at the junction between the main stem and the lateral branches. Generally, these pre-flowers begin to be observed between the fourth and sixth week of growth, although this range can vary. Factors such as genetics, light intensity or temperature influence the speed with which the plant develops its sexual characteristics. In some fast-growing varieties, differences are detected earlier, while in plants with longer cycles it may take a little longer. This time is especially interesting because it marks the transition from the vegetative phase to the reproductive phase. Understanding it allows you to follow the natural thread of the plant and appreciate how each specimen prepares to fulfill its function within the life cycle of cannabis. Signs to identify the sex of cannabis plants Before describing the specific signals of males, females, and hermaphrodites, it is worth bearing in mind that they all arise in the nodes and may be small and difficult to see at first. Even so, with patience and observation, clear patterns can be distinguished. Female Plant Signs Female plants are characterized by developing pistils. These are small filaments that, in their early stages, appear white and thin, resembling tiny hairs that extend in a “V” shape. They emerge from a base called the calyx, and over time these pistils change color to orange or brown tones as maturity progresses. Another obvious sign is the formation of compact buds, clusters of calyxes that are concentrated around the nodes. In the absence of pollination, these female flowers continue to thicken and produce resin. This accumulation of aromatic and oily compounds has been one of the reasons why females have acquired greater notoriety than males in cannabis culture. Signs of a Male Plant Males have a different morphology. Instead of pistils, small rounded sacs appear that face downwards, resembling tiny green balls. These structures are the pollen sacs, which cluster into clusters and, over time, open up to release pollen into the air. In the early phase they may appear to be simple spheres, but their absence of white filaments clearly differentiates them from females. Additionally, males tend to show these signs earlier than females, making it easier to distinguish them if observed regularly. Signs of hermaphrodite plants In some cases, plants with mixed characteristics appear. These are known as hermaphrodites and show both pistils and pollen sacs in the same specimen. Sometimes they are concentrated in different branches and sometimes they arise in the same area of the node. Hermaphroditism can occur naturally, although it is also associated with stressful conditions such as sudden changes in light or extreme temperatures. From a biological point of view, it is interpreted as a survival strategy: if there are no males around, a plant with the capacity to generate pollen and pistils ensures its own reproduction. How to Observe the Differences in Cannabis Plants Once the signs are known, the question arises of how to observe them clearly. Here it is important to distinguish between what can be done with everyday resources and what requires more specialized equipment. Methods without special equipment (light, distance, mobile camera) Many people start by observing their plants with the naked eye. Natural light is usually enough to detect pistils or pollen sacs, as long as the plant is in a proper state of development. Standing at a short distance and looking carefully at the knots allows you to distinguish the first shapes. In the absence of optical tools, a mobile phone camera with macro mode is a great help. This device amplifies the details and makes it possible to capture images that are then calmly reviewed, increasing the chances of noticing structures that may have gone unnoticed by the naked eye. Methods with special equipment (magnifying glasses, macro photos, etc.) Those looking for greater precision often use magnifying glasses or hand-held microscopes. These instruments allow you to observe the pre-flowers closely and immediately recognize whether they are pistils or pollen sacs.

Taking a closer look at trichomes has always been one of the most reliable ways to know the condition of a cannabis plant. The usual thing is to resort to magnifying glasses or microscopes, since these tiny structures are not easy to observe with the naked eye. However, many growers wonder if there are alternatives when these tools are not available. Observing trichomes without a magnifying glass is possible, and although it requires a little more attention and patience, it can provide valuable information about the point of ripeness. In this article we will explore different ways to do this, we will explain what changes can be identified and what meaning those colors and brightness have in the final quality of the plant. What are trichomes and why are they important in harvesting? Trichomes are microscopic glands that line the buds and concentrate the cannabis resin. At first glance they look like tiny crystals, but in reality they function like living factories. Within them, a chain of biochemical reactions takes place that ends with the formation of cannabinoids and terpenes, the compounds that define the aroma, characteristics and effects of CBD Buds and other derivatives of the plant. The interesting thing is that these factories do not always work at the same pace. At first, they generate only small amounts of resin, but as trichomes mature, their structure is transformed: the heads enlarge, specialized cells develop, and internal cavities are created that act as small fatty deposits. Cannabinoids such as THC, CBD and other compounds accumulate there, gradually filling the trichome until it gives it a more opaque appearance. That color change seen from the outside is evidence that the cellular machinery is working at its best. Over time, the process reaches a saturation point. Trichomes no longer just produce, they also begin to transform what they’ve accumulated: some cannabinoids degrade into others, and the most volatile terpenes are easily lost. This is why it is so important to keep an eye out for trichomes, because they mark the moment when flowers reach their greatest internal richness and therefore the point at which they offer their maximum potential. Ways to observe trichomes without using a magnifying glass It is often thought that trichomes can only be observed with microscopes or high-magnification magnifiers, and it is true that these tools make the task much easier. However, there are also accessible methods for those who do not have these instruments at hand. Sometimes it’s enough to pay attention to light, use everyday devices, or even notice general changes in appearance. Seeing trichomes without a magnifying glass is not a perfect process, but it can give useful and surprisingly clear information if you know what details to look for. Changes visible to the naked eye: general signs Although their size is miniscule, trichomes have visible differences throughout their development. At first glance, when young, they tend to give the surface of the buds an almost crystalline shine, as if they were covered by a layer of fine sugar. As time passes, that glow changes, and what was once completely transparent begins to become duller. This transformation, although it does not allow you to see each individual trichome, does generate a different appearance in the flower as a whole. These changes are easier to see if done under light: reflections that were previously sharp begin to become more diffuse and less bright. That’s a sign that the trichomes are progressing to more mature stages. Using Cameras and Smartphones with a Macro Lens Today’s technology offers practical solutions. Many mobile phones have cameras capable of capturing details that were previously only obtained with professional equipment. By using a macro lens attachment, or even with the close-up function of some high-resolution cameras, it is possible to capture images that clearly show the texture and color of the trichomes. The advantage of this method is that it allows you to dwell on the details. A photograph can be enlarged on the screen, compared to others taken on different days and calmly analyzed. Those who have tried this technique comment that macro images reveal a universe of small spheres that change transparency over time. In this way, looking at trichomes can become a long-term recording and analysis. Illumination and angles that improve observation Light is a key factor when trying to see trichomes without a magnifying glass. Stable white lighting, such as that of a neutral LED lamp or natural daylight, highlights the brightness and nuances of the trichomes more clearly. When moving the plant or changing the angle from which it is observed, variations are perceived that would otherwise go unnoticed. Some experienced growers often recommend turning the flower slightly to observe how the light falls in different directions. This rotation allows you to notice if the highlights are completely light, if they begin to become milky or if warmer tones appear. In other words, the combination of good light and perspective transforms a seemingly uniform surface into a kind of mosaic filled with visual information. Maturation stages of trichomes Understanding the maturation stages of trichomes is essential to interpreting what is observed, with or without a magnifying glass. Each stage reflects not only a visual change, but also a modification in chemical composition. Knowing these phases helps to relate what is seen with what is happening inside the plant. Clear trichomes In the first stage, the trichomes are completely transparent. Its appearance resembles tiny drops of glass on the surface of the bud. At this point, the active compounds are still in formation, which means that the potency of the plant is developing. Visually, the high glow can be appealing, but it’s often misleading, reflecting an early phase where the full potential has not yet been reached. Milky trichomes As the days go by, transparency is transformed into opacity. The trichomes take on a whitish hue, as if they have been covered with a thin layer of steam. This phase is often considered the sweet