New Grower Could use some help selecting a strain

[Species]

This is my forst post here and this looks like a great forum!
Sorry im not sure if this is the correct sub forum to ask this.
Im searching for 1-2 auto flower strains to try.
My time to research is limited and the more I read the more potential strains im finding. Theres far too many to choose from and the quality reports reange from great to horrible depending on the strain. My cash is also limited so I really want to get this right. Ive purchased bad seeds in the past enough times and the cost is just too much to get it wrong again.

Im searching for...

- One of the most potant of the auto flowers.
- Non feminized strain if possible.
- A reputable seller. I know some dont store seeds correctly and ive had many that just dont germinate.

I've grown LR2 in years past and was quite impressed.
I would like something similar but more potant.
its been years since this strain hit the shelves and many newer better strains are out there. Im trying to get a quick feel for what the latest greatest strains are.

On my list so far:

Bomb - THCbomb auto
LR2
Kush Von Stich

I have loved autos for a number of years and would like to take it to the next level.
What are some of your favourite strains right now ?

 

[Wienerwoods]

Hi Species! Welcome to AFN!

I've limited experience myself, but Sensi Seeds' Automatic Northern Lights is one I can swear by. Tastes just like the 'real' Northern Lights as far as I know. My first grow was NL and Afghan Kush Ryder, which is crazy potent. Dutch Passion's AutoDurban Poison and AutoWhite Widow are also very potent and very nice overall. These are all I've grown so far so beyond that me recommending anything else would be just based on hearsay.

I've bought all my beans from Attitude seedbank (they have another site called Choice seedbank because of payment issues over at Attitude). Very quick and reliable + Unbelievable Free Offers. 100% germination rate so far for me.

I gotta ask, why do you want a non-feminized plant?

Oh, and as far as I know the New Growers Forum is a good place to post questions. Do make an introduction as well if you're planning on staying (We certainly hope you are!).

 

[Species]

Those are some perfect suggestions. Ive heard good things about the Northern Lights, AKR and auto White widow. I will look more into these three! Out of those would you say the Norther Lights is the more potant ?

The non fem issue lol... I always hate to say it because it makes me feel like I should be wearing a tinfoil hat lol. I have an interest in genetics... Not just plants but generally. Ive followed whats been going on in the cannabis industry most of my life and the evolution of various strains. Im convinced that feminization of our strains is a bad thing. I believe its weakening the gene pool, destroying genetic diversity and may someday cause huge problems in the cannabis culture. I dont have issues with feminized seeds in general, they have a place but I dont see how you can keep producing them the way we are without inviting problems down the road. Breeders that offer both... Great! Breeders that offer only feminized versions kind of scare me. Hybridizing is one thing... Feminizing everything is a little too unatural for my taste.
The way Imsee it is. Ive put probably a few hundred hours over a couple years researching the feminization process. Nothng about it seems like a good idea.
But everybody seems to want fems so perhaps im overlooking something. Perhaps im wrong

My other reason is... Im poor. I have no interest in paying hundreds every year to start fems over. Seems to me that is a huge loss for me and a huge gain for the sellers. A big grow show that is in it for the money could benefit from fems but then they could also just stick to clones. For the average person... It doesnt make sense. Sure its quick and easy (lazy) to buy new seeds every year (if your made or money) You take the chance your favourite strain might one day not be so easy to come by, then your back to square one. I would rather pay once for regulars, make seeds the old fashioned way and preserve the genetics I like for many years. Its also more fun imo

I tend to stay true to ethical breeders that produce great genetics and stay true to the plant rather than the bank account. From them I would buy feminized or regular seeds, try all their new strains and buy fresh genetics of old lines from time to time as well.

Thanks

 

[F.N.]

You raise some good points but the bank do need a strong line of regular seeds to produce the feminized version. Just as you are staying true to the regular seeds so are some breeders. BCBUDDEPOT seems to just select a handfull to feminze and keep the rest regular. Mr Nice i do not think he has one feminized seed Soma I thought he would never go fem but did so i do believe in the long run fem seeds fill a gap and work great IMO. But i do not take lightly your point of view on wanting to keep things as true as they can be, But some times we have to adapt and go with the flow bro. Thanks for the stoned ramble i hope I make sense lol

 

[Species]

No worries Fairlynew. You made perfect sense to me and I completely agree
Soma and MrNice are a few of the breeders I have a lot of respect for. Theres is a place for feminized seeds "the gap" you mentioned. Ive always suspected breeders that offer only Fem seeds must keep a genetic stock or regulars to breed with. When I see a site that only offers Fem seeds I tend to ask myself "why?" I think feminization is a complocated subject and the responsible breeders are the ones that approach it with caution and a plan for the future. I feel like one of those people standing on a street corner holding a sign that says "the end is coming" lol.

 

[Wienerwoods]

Those are some perfect suggestions. Ive heard good things about the Northern Lights, AKR and auto White widow. I will look more into these three! Out of those would you say the Norther Lights is the more potant ?

The non fem issue lol... I always hate to say it because it makes me feel like I should be wearing a tinfoil hat lol. I have an interest in genetics... Not just plants but generally. Ive followed whats been going on in the cannabis industry most of my life and the evolution of various strains. Im convinced that feminization of our strains is a bad thing. I believe its weakening the gene pool, destroying genetic diversity and may someday cause huge problems in the cannabis culture. I dont have issues with feminized seeds in general, they have a place but I dont see how you can keep producing them the way we are without inviting problems down the road. Breeders that offer both... Great! Breeders that offer only feminized versions kind of scare me. Hybridizing is one thing... Feminizing everything is a little too unatural for my taste.
The way Imsee it is. Ive put probably a few hundred hours over a couple years researching the feminization process. Nothng about it seems like a good idea.
But everybody seems to want fems so perhaps im overlooking something. Perhaps im wrong

My other reason is... Im poor. I have no interest in paying hundreds every year to start fems over. Seems to me that is a huge loss for me and a huge gain for the sellers. A big grow show that is in it for the money could benefit from fems but then they could also just stick to clones. For the average person... It doesnt make sense. Sure its quick and easy (lazy) to buy new seeds every year (if your made or money) You take the chance your favourite strain might one day not be so easy to come by, then your back to square one. I would rather pay once for regulars, make seeds the old fashioned way and preserve the genetics I like for many years. Its also more fun imo

I tend to stay true to ethical breeders that produce great genetics and stay true to the plant rather than the bank account. From them I would buy feminized or regular seeds, try all their new strains and buy fresh genetics of old lines from time to time as well.

Thanks

I agree with Fairlynew. Any reputable breeder feminizes only what they sell. Feminization isn't part of the actual breeding process. But yeah, I can see how something could potentially go very wrong down the line. Thankfully cannabis is widely (and increasingly) cultivated and studied plant and surely measures have been taken to preserve proper genetics.

As for the strains I suggested, I would have to say AKR is the most potent of the bunch in that it's a really high THC indica, and indica strains in particular tend to hit hard. White Widow is also very potent but the dip in cerebral side of effects may not end up feeling as strong. While Northern Lights is by no means a sub-par or weak strain in any sense, on paper it's usually described as weaker than the other two. Practically negligible, I'd say. Try them out and see what you like. Potency isn't all that important, you just have to smoke a few % more. And there is also lots of variation depending on the genetic stability, growing conditions, etc.
But again, disclaimer, this is just my relatively newbie view on things. :Sharing One:

 

[F.N.]

I f you want a hard hitting Indica I would have to say BIG BUDDHA BLUE CHEESE AUTO no ceiling on the high. If you want a strain you will never grow tired of and huge yeilds think different. The first one won second at the spannibus cup for indoor hydro it went up against the best photos and won from what I can gather not regular but would make a good mate in a breeding process

 

[Species]

Thats perfect. Great strain ideas and great views on the side topic !
Your right its not so much about potency. I think I worded that wrong.
Ive seen some light cycle plants that could couch lock you with one toke and some that couldnt get you a buzz no matter how much you smoke. In the past ive heard autos are either very close to quality light cycle plants for quality or even at that point now. Im curious which ones are the most advanced so a person doesnt have to smoke a lot to get the same effect.
The ones you mentioned seem to fit that bill quite nicely

I have to admit I have a bit of a facination and love for autos. I think with the advances being made these days in auto flower plants, light cycle plants may eventually be a thing of the past or a niche market.

 

[F.N.]

Well if a auto can win 2nd at the spannibus cup for indoor hydro against photos. This summer i grew some Magnum by buddha outdoors picked it in the prime of summer everyone that smoke it thought it was indoor and would go pale off of one bowl load. My one fiend needed a nap before he went home all seasoned veterans of weed too. I would say the line between autos and photos is disappearing lol

 

[Species]

I f you want a hard hitting Indica I would have to say BIG BUDDHA BLUE CHEESE AUTO no ceiling on the high. If you want a strain you will never grow tired of and huge yeilds think different. The first one won second at the spannibus cup for indoor hydro it went up against the best photos and won from what I can gather not regular but would make a good mate in a breeding process

Interesting... "Think different" I only heard about this strain recently and its popping up more frequently. Its been in the back of my mind. When you say "a strain you you will never grow tired of" im not quite sure what you mean.