Autoflower Seeds

Autoflowering cannabis strains have quickly become a favorite among growers due to their ability to adapt to all climates and produce top-quality buds year-round. However, growing autoflower strains outdoors can be challenging, especially if you’re dealing with unpredictable weather conditions or subpar genetics. To help you avoid a frustrating experience, it’s crucial to choose resilient and high-yielding autoflower strains that can thrive in various climates.

In this article, we’ll highlight five of the best autoflower strains to grow outdoors in 2023. These strains are not only resilient but also produce impressive yields, ensuring your curing jars are always filled to the brim. But before we dive into the strains themselves, let’s explore why autoflower strains are so well-suited for outdoor cultivation.

Autoflowering strains are a hybrid of different cannabis species, including Ruderalis. This genetic mix makes them incredibly hardy, and able to withstand harsh weather conditions, pests, and diseases. Additionally, their autoflowering trait means they don’t require specific light schedules, unlike traditional photoperiod strains. While yields may vary based on the amount of sunlight your plants receive, you can still expect impressive harvests regardless of your climate.

When growing autoflower strains outdoors, it’s essential to consider the amount of light your plants will receive throughout their growth cycle. While this can vary based on your location and the time of year, you can use the following table as a general guide:

Duration	Jun 1-Aug 31	Sep 4-Nov 30	Dec 1-Feb 28	Mar 1-May 31
Season	Summer	Fall	Winter	Spring
Average Hours of Light	14hrs	11hrs	10hrs	12hrs

It’s also crucial to plan ahead and prepare for unexpected weather events, such as storms or high winds. Consider building a homemade greenhouse to protect your plants during inclement weather.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s explore five of the best autoflower strains to grow outdoors in 2023.

Northern Lights Autoflower

Climate: Northern Lights Autoflower can grow well in a wide range of climates but prefers cooler temperatures ranging from 18°C to 24°C during the day, and 15°C to 20°C at night. It can tolerate cooler temperatures and even light frost, but excessive heat or humidity can cause issues like mold and bud rot.

Soil: Northern Lights Autoflower prefers well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, and can benefit from the addition of compost or other organic matter. It is important to avoid over-watering, as this can cause root rot and other problems.

Lighting: While Northern Lights Autoflower does not require a specific light schedule to flower, it can benefit from plenty of direct sunlight during the day. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, or consider using supplemental lighting if your outdoor grow area is shaded.

Nutrients: Northern Lights Autoflower requires a balanced nutrient regimen that includes nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as other essential micronutrients. Outdoor growers may need to supplement with additional nutrients depending on soil quality and other factors.

Pests and Diseases: Northern Lights Autoflower is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but outdoor growers should still be vigilant for common issues like spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew. Consider using natural remedies like neem oil or insecticidal soap, and remove any infected or damaged plants immediately to prevent the spread of disease.

Blueberry Autoflower

Climate: Blueberry Autoflower prefers cooler temperatures between 15°C to 24°C, and is generally resistant to colder climates. However, excessive heat or humidity can cause issues like mold and bud rot. It is best to grow this strain outdoors during the summer months in Canada.

Soil: Blueberry Autoflower prefers well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, and can benefit from the addition of compost or other organic matter. This strain is sensitive to over-watering, so it is important to allow the soil to dry out between watering to prevent root rot.

Lighting: While Blueberry Autoflower does not require a specific light schedule to flower, it can benefit from plenty of direct sunlight during the day. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, or consider using supplemental lighting if your outdoor grow area is shaded.

Nutrients: Blueberry Autoflower requires a balanced nutrient regimen that includes nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as other essential micronutrients. Outdoor growers may need to supplement with additional nutrients depending on soil quality and other factors.

Pests and Diseases: Blueberry Autoflower is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but outdoor growers should still be vigilant for common issues like spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew. Consider using natural remedies like neem oil or insecticidal soap, and remove any infected or damaged plants immediately to prevent the spread of disease.

Training: Blueberry Autoflower can benefit from low-stress training (LST) techniques like tying down branches to promote more even growth and larger yields. This strain responds well to topping or fimming to create multiple colas, but be careful not to over-stress the plant as this can slow growth or cause other issues.

Gorilla Glue #4 Autoflower

Climate: Gorilla Glue #4 Autoflower thrives in warm and sunny climates, with a temperature range of 20°C to 30°C. It can be sensitive to colder temperatures and humidity, so it is best to grow this strain outdoors during the summer months in Canada.

Soil: Gorilla Glue #4 Autoflower prefers well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, and benefits from the addition of compost or other organic matter. It is important to ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot, as this strain is sensitive to over-watering.

Lighting: While Gorilla Glue #4 Autoflower does not require a specific light schedule to flower, it can benefit from plenty of direct sunlight during the day. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, or consider using supplemental lighting if your outdoor grow area is shaded.

Nutrients: Gorilla Glue #4 Autoflower requires a nutrient regimen that is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as other essential micronutrients. Outdoor growers may need to supplement with additional nutrients depending on soil quality and other factors.

Pests and Diseases: Gorilla Glue #4 Autoflower is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but outdoor growers should still be vigilant for common issues like spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew. Consider using natural remedies like neem oil or insecticidal soap, and remove any infected or damaged plants immediately to prevent the spread of disease.

Training: Gorilla Glue #4 Autoflower can benefit from low-stress training (LST) techniques like tying down branches to promote more even growth and larger yields. This strain responds well to topping or fimming to create multiple colas, but be careful not to over-stress the plant as this can slow growth or cause other issues. Additionally, Gorilla Glue #4 Autoflower tends to grow tall, so it may be necessary to support the plant with stakes or trellising.

Critical Mass Autoflower

Climate: Critical Mass Autoflower is a hardy strain that can tolerate a range of temperatures and climates, but it grows best in warm, sunny environments. Aim for a temperature range of 20°C to 28°C during the day, and 15°C to 20°C at night. This strain is also fairly resistant to humidity, making it a good option for areas with higher levels of moisture.

Soil: Critical Mass Autoflower prefers well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, and benefits from the addition of organic matter like compost or worm castings. This strain can be sensitive to over-watering, so it is important to ensure proper drainage and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Lighting: Critical Mass Autoflower does not require a specific light schedule to flower, but it benefits from plenty of direct sunlight during the day. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, or consider using supplemental lighting if your outdoor grow area is shaded.

Nutrients: Critical Mass Autoflower requires a balanced nutrient regimen that includes nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as other essential micronutrients. Outdoor growers may need to supplement with additional nutrients depending on soil quality and other factors.

Pests and Diseases: Critical Mass Autoflower is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but outdoor growers should still be vigilant for common issues like spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew. Consider using natural remedies like neem oil or insecticidal soap, and remove any infected or damaged plants immediately to prevent the spread of disease.

Training: Critical Mass Autoflower responds well to low-stress training (LST) techniques like tying down branches to promote more even growth and larger yields. This strain does not typically require topping or other high-stress training methods, but it may benefit from light defoliation to increase airflow and reduce the risk of mold or other issues. Additionally, Critical Mass Autoflower tends to grow tall and bushy, so it may be necessary to support the plant with stakes or trellising to prevent branches from breaking under the weight of heavy buds.

White Widow Autoflower

Climate: White Widow Autoflower is a versatile strain that can adapt to a range of temperatures and climates, but it thrives in warm, sunny environments. Aim for a temperature range of 20°C to 28°C during the day, and 15°C to 20°C at night. This strain can tolerate some humidity, but it is best to keep levels around 40-50% to prevent issues with mold or mildew.

Soil: White Widow Autoflower prefers well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5, and benefits from the addition of organic matter like compost or worm castings. This strain can be sensitive to over-watering, so it is important to ensure proper drainage and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Lighting: White Widow Autoflower does not require a specific light schedule to flower, but it benefits from plenty of direct sunlight during the day. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, or consider using supplemental lighting if your outdoor grow area is shaded.

Nutrients: White Widow Autoflower requires a balanced nutrient regimen that includes nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as other essential micronutrients. Outdoor growers may need to supplement with additional nutrients depending on soil quality and other factors.

Pests and Diseases: White Widow Autoflower is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but outdoor growers should still be vigilant for common issues like spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew. Consider using natural remedies like neem oil or insecticidal soap, and remove any infected or damaged plants immediately to prevent the spread of disease.

Training: White Widow Autoflower responds well to low-stress training (LST) techniques like tying down branches to promote more even growth and larger yields. This strain does not typically require topping or other high-stress training methods, but it may benefit from light defoliation to increase airflow and reduce the risk of mold or other issues. Additionally, White Widow Autoflower tends to grow tall and slender, so it may benefit from some support like stakes or trellising to prevent branches from bending or breaking under the weight of heavy buds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, autoflower strains are an excellent choice for Canadian outdoor growers who want a low-maintenance, high-yielding cannabis crop. With their short growing time and compact size, autoflowers can be grown in small spaces and harvested multiple times throughout the season. By choosing a strain that suits your climate and growing conditions, and providing proper care and maintenance, you can produce a bountiful harvest of top-quality cannabis. Whether you are a seasoned grower or a novice, autoflower strains like Northern Lights, Blueberry, Gorilla Glue #4, Critical Mass, and White Widow are sure to deliver impressive results. Happy growing!