How Are Autos Made? | Ozzy Genetics: Cannabis Seeds Australia

The magic behind autoflowering cannabis seeds lies in a lesser-known subspecies of cannabis: Cannabis ruderalis. Native to the harsh climates of Central and Eastern Europe—particularly Russia and Kazakhstan—ruderalis plants evolved to survive short summers and unpredictable weather. Because of this, they developed an automatic flowering trait that kicks in after just a few weeks of growth, regardless of light cycles.

Characteristics of Cannabis ruderalis

• Short stature: Typically grows between 30–80 cm tall

• Low THC content: Naturally contains less psychoactive compounds than indica or sativa

• Autoflowering: Begins to flower after 2–4 weeks from germination

• Hardy and resilient: Tolerates cold and poor soil

These qualities make ruderalis less desirable on its own for recreational or medical use—but it's essential in breeding autoflower strains that deliver speed and stealth.

Breeding Autoflowers: The Ruderalis Cross

Creating an autoflower strain involves hybridizing a high-THC photoperiod strain (usually an indica or sativa) with Cannabis ruderalis. Here's how breeders do it:

Step 1: Choose Your Genetics

• Photoperiod parent: This could be a popular feminized strain known for potency, yield, or flavor—like Girl Scout Cookies or OG Kush.

• Ruderalis parent: A stable plant that flowers automatically and has been selected for desirable traits like size and resistance.

Step 2: Cross the Parents (F1 Generation)

Pollinate a female photoperiod plant with a male ruderalis plant. The resulting seeds (called F1 generation) will express a mix of traits, but only some will autoflower.

At this stage, breeders must grow out many F1 plants to find individuals that carry the autoflowering gene and still retain desirable qualities from the photoperiod side.

Step 3: Select Autoflowering Offspring

From the F1 generation, breeders select plants that exhibit autoflowering behavior—flowering without a change in light cycle. These plants are then backcrossed (bred with the ruderalis parent or other autoflowering siblings) to reinforce the autoflower gene.

Step 4: Stabilize the Genetics

This process is repeated through multiple generations (F2, F3, F4...) until the autoflower trait becomes genetically stable, typically showing up in 95–100% of the offspring. At the same time, breeders work to preserve the best traits of the photoperiod strain—like aroma, trichome production, and cannabinoid content.

It can take several years of selective breeding to produce a stable, high-quality autoflowering strain that performs reliably in the grow room or garden.

Step 5: Feminization (Optional)

Once the autoflower genetics are locked in, breeders may apply feminization techniques—such as colloidal silver or silver thiosulfate sprays—to produce feminized autoflower seeds, ensuring that nearly every plant is female and flower-producing.

Why Use Autoflowers? Cannabis Seeds Australia

Here in Australia, where seasonal and legal factors can limit traditional growing methods, ruderalis hybrids offer key advantages:

• Ideal for quick outdoor harvests before climate extremes

• Useful for stealth growing due to small size and fast finish

• Suited for beginners thanks to low maintenance

At Ozzy Genetics, we incorporate ruderalis carefully and selectively into our autoflower lines—ensuring you get the speed and resilience of ruderalis, without sacrificing the potency and flavor Aussie growers expect from premium cannabis seeds Australia wide.