Written by Ad OpsOverview and Context
Auto Afghan Mass is an autoflowering hybrid created by 00 Seeds Bank, a Spanish breeder known for stable selections and robust yield-to-space ratios. The strain’s heritage is explicitly ruderalis, indica, and sativa, reflecting a deliberate blend of an Afghan-leaning resin producer with a heavy-yielding line, and a ruderalis donor for automatic flowering. Growers value it for compact stature, dense buds, and a finish that typically occurs 65 to 80 days from seed, which helps synchronize harvests and reduce calendar risk outdoors.
In practice, Auto Afghan Mass is usually cultivated for its reliable structure and hash-heavy aroma that feels classically Afghan, balanced by a subtle fruit-sweet edge. The mass in its name nods to high production, with indoor yields often cited in the 400 to 550 grams per square meter range under optimized conditions and 250 to 400 watts per square meter of LED lighting. Outdoors, single plants grown in 10 to 20 liter containers often return 70 to 150 grams per plant when planted at latitudes between 35 and 50 degrees, given 9 or more hours of direct summer sunlight.
Because it is an autoflower, Auto Afghan Mass is not photoperiod dependent and will flower on an internal schedule even under 18 hours of light. This enables continuous production cycles and multiple outdoor rounds per season in frost-free regions. Its performance profile fits small-scale home grows and larger sea-of-green rooms alike, with growers reporting relatively low training needs and a forgiving nutrient tolerance once roots are established.
History and Breeding Background
00 Seeds Bank developed Auto Afghan Mass to capture the reliability and resin density of Afghan genetics in a format that finishes fast without elaborate light control. The breeder’s catalog emphasizes easy, high-production cultivars, often with indica-leaning morphologies that pack weight on compact frames. In that context, Auto Afghan Mass serves as a workhorse entry, aimed at consistent results for both newer gardeners and efficient commercial schedules.
While 00 Seeds states the heritage in broad terms as ruderalis, indica, and sativa, the Afghan descriptor strongly suggests an Afghan landrace influence refined for modern cultivation. The mass component is a common shorthand in European breeding circles for heavy-yielding hybrids in the Critical lineage, although specific parent names are not disclosed by the breeder. The likely approach was to combine an Afghan dominant resin parent with a vigorous, productive donor, then stabilize the automatic flowering trait through a ruderalis cross.
Autoflowering cannabis has matured considerably in the last decade, moving from early generations with modest potency to modern lines regularly clocking mid to high teens in THC. Market reports and independent lab trends show many autos now testing 15 to 22 percent THC under optimized conditions, a bracket into which Auto Afghan Mass plausibly fits. The result is a plant that can compete with photoperiods on potency in a fast and compact package.
By compressing veg and flower into a single 9 to 11 week window from sprout, Auto Afghan Mass helps growers hit dates and dodge shoulder-season weather. That reliability has been a driver of adoption across Mediterranean climates, indoor micro-gardens, and short-season northern regions. Its steady uptake mirrors broader market data showing autos capturing a rising share of hobby and small commercial crops for their ease and predictable finish.
Genetic Lineage and Taxonomy
The declared composition of Auto Afghan Mass is ruderalis, indica, and sativa, placing it squarely in the modern autoflowering hybrid category. The phenotype leans indica in morphology, with squat frames, thick petioles, and short internodes. The ruderalis fraction confers photoperiod independence and compresses the life cycle into a tight window.
Although full parentage is undisclosed, Afghan traits are evident in the scent and resin coverage, while the mass label implies a yield-forward component akin to Critical-type donors. This mixing strategy is common: a robust Afghan backbone for resin and flavor, a proven production hybrid for biomass, and a ruderalis donor to automate flowering. The breeder then selects over successive generations to reduce undesirable ruderalis traits and stabilize vigor and chemotype.
Growers should expect an indica-dominant chemotypic expression despite the mixed taxonomy. Typical ratios reported for similar Afghan-leaning autos are 60 to 80 percent indica influence, 20 to 40 percent sativa, and 15 to 25 percent of the genome showing ruderalis ancestry. The precise contribution can vary between phenotypes, which explains why some plants stretch a bit more or express a slightly sweeter finish.
From a practical standpoint, this lineage choice trades towering height for dense colas that finish quickly and tolerate moderate stress. The ruderalis component reduces sensitivity to minor photoperiod leaks and allows 18 to 20 hours of light per day without delaying flower induction. This makes the strain workable in a variety of setups, from closets to greenhouses, where stability and speed are the priorities.
Appearance of the Plant and Cured Buds
Auto Afghan Mass plants are compact and sturdy, usually reaching 60 to 100 centimeters indoors and 80 to 120 centimeters outdoors when given generous root volume. The main stem is thick, with closely spaced nodes and lateral branches that stack golf-ball to soda-can sized bud clusters. Leaves are broad, dark green, and often display deep serration consistent with indica influence.
As flowering progresses, the plant builds dense calyx clusters with limited foxtailing when environmental stress is minimized. Pistils begin a creamy white and shift to orange and amber in late flower, with 70 to 90 percent of pistils oxidizing by peak maturity. The surface becomes increasingly frosted, with trichome heads standing on short stalks that give a gritty, sugar-coated appearance.
Cured flowers are medium density to hard, breaking into glassy calyx shards under pressure when fully dried. Colors range from lime to forest green with rust to pumpkin-orange pistils and occasional deep green sugar leaves tucked in. Under magnification, heads show a milky sea with scattered amber at harvest, which correlates with the sedating profile many users describe.
The bag appeal is strong for an auto, particularly when dried at 60 percent relative humidity and 16 to 18 degrees Celsius for 10 to 14 days. Properly handled, buds retain shape, resist collapse in jars, and throw a heavy, hash-laden perfume on opening. Trimming is straightforward because the plant tends to keep most mass in exposed calyxes rather than hiding behind leafy bracts.
Aroma
The dominant aromatic impression is earthy and hash-like, immediately reminiscent of Afghan resin. Underneath, there are sweet tones akin to warm honey and dried fig, with faint floral and herbal accents. Freshly ground material releases a peppery spice, signaling a notable beta-caryophyllene presence.
During flower, the room scent is thick and somewhat musky, with an undertone of pine that becomes more apparent in late bloom. Many growers notice the terpene profile intensifies markedly in the final 10 to 14 days, which is common as trichome heads swell and monoterpenes concentrate. Good carbon filtration is recommended, as a single mature plant can push noticeable odor beyond a small tent.
Post-cure, the aroma deepens and rounds off, moving from sharp herbal into smooth hash and sweet bread notes. Jars may show a top note of citrus peel when opened, which dissipates into darker tones after a few minutes of air. The complexity is surprisingly layered for a fast-finishing auto, a likely benefit of the Afghan heritage.
Flavor
The first draw tends to be smooth and earthy, with a creamy, resin-forward flavor that lingers on the palate. Subtle sweetness follows, evocative of caramelized sugar or dates, along with a faint pepper tingle on the tongue. The aftertaste leans hashy and woody, suggesting humulene and caryophyllene interplay.
Vaporization at 180 to 190 degrees Celsius yields a brighter, more herbal flavor with noticeable pine and citrus edges. At higher temperatures or in combustion, the taste shifts darker and spicier, emphasizing the Afghan character. Many users report that a two to four week cure enhances the sweet element and reduces any fresh chlorophyll edges.
In edibles and extracts, the strain carries over a traditional hash profile, complementing chocolate, coffee, and nutty carriers extremely well. Cold-cured rosin often amplifies the sweet bread and pepper notes while retaining a thick mouthfeel. The flavor persists across consumption routes, indicating a terpene mix that remains stable in processing.
Cannabinoid Profile
Auto Afghan Mass is commonly reported with THC in the mid to high teens, with well-grown examples reaching the upper teens and occasionally the low twenties. A realistic working range is about 15 to 20 percent THC for indoor, dialed-in grows, and 12 to 18 percent outdoors where environmental variability is higher. On a per-gram basis, that equates to roughly 120 to 200 milligrams of THC per gram of properly decarboxylated flower.
CBD levels are typically low, often within 0.1 to 0.8 percent, resulting in a high THC to CBD ratio. CBG can present in trace to moderate quantities for an auto, usually around 0.2 to 0.8 percent depending on phenotype and maturity at harvest. The minor cannabinoid profile may include small amounts of CBC and THCV, though these are commonly at or below 0.2 percent unless selected for.
Autoflowers in general now average around 13 to 19 percent THC in many market reports, showing parity with mid-grade photoperiods in the same environments. Environmental control remains decisive; studies and grow logs consistently show 10 to 25 percent swings in potency tied to light intensity, root-zone health, and harvest timing. Harvesting at a predominance of cloudy trichomes with 10 to 20 percent amber often aligns with peak THC while steering the subjective effect toward balance rather than heavy sedation.
For extraction, expect good resin return typical of Afghan-influenced lines. Mechanical rosin yields in the 15 to 22 percent range from quality flower are common, with sift and bubble hash performing well due to dense, easily liberated heads. The cannabinoid profile remains stable with careful processing, though aggressive heat will convert some THC to CBN, increasing sedative qualities at the expense of bright top notes.
Terpene Profile
Auto Afghan Mass expresses a terpene spectrum typical of Afghan-leaning hybrids, with myrcene and beta-caryophyllene frequently leading. Myrcene often accounts for 25 to 45 percent of the total terpene fraction, lending the earthy, musky base and aiding the heavy body feel. Beta-caryophyllene commonly contributes 15 to 25 percent, providing peppery spice and engaging CB2 receptors associated with anti-inflammatory pathways in preclinical research.
Humulene often appears in the 8 to 15 percent slice of the terpene pie, adding woody, slightly bitter dryness that keeps the profile from cloying. Pinene, especially alpha-pinene, typically shows in the 5 to 12 percent range, imparting pine needles and a clear-headed edge that can sharpen the first phase of the experience. Limonene is present at 5 to 10 percent, lifting mood with an orange peel spark on the nose and palate.
Total terpene content in well-grown, slow-dried autos commonly lands between 1.0 and 2.5 percent of dry flower weight. This is comparable to or slightly below many photoperiod counterparts, but Auto Afghan Mass can compete near the higher end of that bracket when environmental stress is minimized. Proper handling from week five onward, including gentle airflow and RH control below 50 percent, helps preserve the more volatile monoterpenes.
The balance of this terpene mix aligns with the reported effects: myrcene and caryophyllene contribute to body relaxation and perceived analgesia, while pinene and limonene prevent the profile from feeling dull or overly sedative at low to moderate doses. The result is a layered sensory experience that starts with pine-citrus clarity and lands in a warm, hashy finish. For processors, this profile carries well into cold-cured rosin and full-melt hash, maintaining recognizable Afghan character.
Experiential Effects
Users commonly describe a two-phase effect profile, beginning with a light cerebral lift and easing into a warm, heavy body relaxation. Onset for inhaled routes is typically 5 to 10 minutes, reaching peak intensity around 30 to 45 minutes. The overall duration is 2 to 3 hours for most, with a softer tail that encourages rest.
At lower doses, pinene and limonene provide a mild mental brightness, making the early phase functional for light activities and conversation. As the session continues, myrcene and caryophyllene assert themselves with muscle relaxation and stress relief. This balance can keep the experience from veering into couch-lock unless larger doses are consumed or trichomes are harvested at higher amber ratios.
Higher doses, later-harvested flowers, or edibles made from long-cured material can shift the experience toward sedation. Many users report improved sleep latency in these conditions and a calm, heavy finish well-suited to end-of-day use. The body load is pronounced but rarely overwhelming unless combined with alcohol or other depressants, which is not recommended.
Common side effects include dry mouth and red eyes, with occasional transient dizziness in sensitive users who consume large amounts quickly. Anxiety risk appears moderate to low compared with racier sativa-dominant cultivars, largely due to the Afghan influence and terpene balance. As always, personal response varies, and a start-low approach is prudent, especially for new consumers.
Potential Medical Uses
Auto Afghan Mass has attributes that many medical users seek, including consistent relaxation, a solid body component, and a relatively predictable time to effect. Patients coping with chronic musculoskeletal pain, tension headaches, or post-exercise soreness often report meaningful relief at moderate inhaled doses. Observational cohorts in medical cannabis programs commonly find 50 to 70 percent of participants reporting reduced pain scores with THC-dominant flower, and this cultivar’s caryophyllene content may further support perceived anti-inflammatory benefits.
Anxiety and stress-related symptoms can be moderated by the calming nature of the Afghan profile, though dose control is key. Low to moderate THC exposure is often associated with anxiolytic effects in user reports, while very high doses can precipitate discomfort in susceptible individuals. The presence of limonene and pinene may help sustain a clearer, less foggy headspace in the early phase of action.
Sleep hygiene is a frequent focus, and many users employ indica-leaning hybrids for sleep onset and maintenance. In surveys of medical users, improvements in sleep quality are reported by a majority, often in the 60 to 80 percent range, when using evening THC-dominant products. For Auto Afghan Mass specifically, later harvests with 15 to 30 percent amber trichomes and a two to four week cure are often preferred for nighttime use.
Nausea and appetite stimulation are also plausible benefits given the THC-forward profile. THC has demonstrated antiemetic properties in clinical practice, and user data consistently show reduced nausea and improved appetite at modest doses. Patients undergoing appetite-suppressing regimens may find this strain suitable before meals or in the evening.
As with all cannabis used therapeutically, medical decisions should be individualized and overseen by a clinician familiar with cannabinoid pharmacology. Patients sensitive to THC may opt for microdosing strategies such as one or two inhalations, or a 1 to 2.5 milligram oral dose, titrated slowly. Combining cannabis with other sedatives can increase risk of over-sedation, and those with cardiovascular concerns should consult their providers before initiating THC-rich regimens.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Auto Afghan Mass is engineered for simplicity and speed, making it a strong candidate for first-time growers and efficient perpetual harvest systems. Because it is autoflowering, the plant begins reproductive development on an internal timer, so transplant stress and early growth conditions strongly influence final yield. The guiding principle is to establish rapid root expansion in the first 20 days, then maintain steady inputs through a 45 to 55 day flower period.
Germination is straightforward with a 24 to 36 hour soak or paper towel method, followed by immediate planting into the final container to avoid transplant shock. Indoor growers typically choose 9 to 12 liter pots for single-plant training or 5 to 7 liter pots for sea-of-green density. Outdoor containers of 10 to 20 liters support 80 to 120 centimeter plants with robust lateral branching.
Soilless mixes with 30 to 40 percent perlite or pumice provide excellent aeration and reduce overwatering risk. Target a root-zone pH of 5.8 to 6.5 in coco or inert mixes and 6.2 to 6.8 in amended soil. Maintain consistent moisture with light, frequent irrigation early on, shifting to full saturations to 10 to 20 percent runoff as roots fill the pot.
Lighting should be abundant yet gentle in the first week, beginning around 250 to 350 micromoles per square meter per second PPFD. Increase to 450 to 600 PPFD by day 14 and 600 to 800 PPFD for the remainder of the grow, as autos often saturate around that level without supplemental CO2. Many cultivators run 18 hours on and 6 hours off throughout the cycle; others push 20 on and 4 off for marginal gains. Expect daily light integrals of 30 to 45 mol per square meter to drive maximum photosynthesis without excessive heat.
Temperature targets are 24 to 28 degrees Celsius by day and 18 to 22 degrees at night, with a vapor pressure deficit of 0.8 to 1.2 kilopascals during veg and early flower. Relative humidity should sit around 60 to 70 percent in seedling stage, 50 to 60 percent in veg, 45 to 55 percent in early flower, and 40 to 50 percent late. Gentle, multidirectional airflow reduces microclimates and helps prevent powdery mildew.
Nutrition needs are moderate to high for a compact plant, but autos dislike heavy early nitrogen. A balanced vegetative ratio around 3-1-2 N-P-K in weeks 1 to 3 works well, transitioning to 1-2-3 in early bloom to favor flowering sites. Electrical conductivity can begin at 0.8 to 1.2 milliSiemens per centimeter in seedling stage, ramping to 1.4 to 1.8 in peak flower, with calcium and magnesium supplementation of 100 to 150 ppm combined in coco-heavy media.
Because autos have limited recovery time, training must be gentle and timely. Low stress training with soft ties from day 10 to day 25 helps open the canopy and equalize tops; avoid topping after day 18 to 21. A light scrog net can support colas without forcing the plant to redirect energy late in the cycle.
Pest and disease management centers on prevention. Sticky cards, weekly leaf inspections, and clean intakes reduce the likelihood of fungus gnats, spider mites, or thrips. A light integrated pest management program using beneficial insects or gentle botanicals like neem or rosemary oil in early veg can be effective, while late-flower sprays should be avoided to protect trichomes and flavor.
Watering strategy impacts both yield and root health. Early on, water in a small ring away from the stem to encourage lateral root exploration, then expand the watering radius as leaves reach the container edge. By mid-flower, expect the plant to transpire enough to require daily or every other day irrigations in warm rooms; consistent drybacks that lighten the pot by 30 to 50 percent help oxygenate roots.
The timeline from seed to harvest generally spans 65 to 80 days, with some phenotypes finishing as early as day 60 under high light and optimal nutrition. Pre-harvest flush is optional and context dependent; many growers shift to low EC inputs or plain water for 5 to 10 days based on resin maturity and flavor goals. Focus on trichome color rather than calendar alone, as this is the most reliable indicator of readiness.
Harvest when trichomes are mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 percent amber for a balanced effect, or 20 to 30 percent amber for a heavier, more sedative profile. Aim for a slow dry at roughly 60 percent RH and 16 to 18 degrees Celsius for 10 to 14 days until stems snap rather than bend. This controlled dry preserves cannabinoids and terpenes, minimizing harshness in the finished product.
Curing in airtight containers at 58 to 62 percent RH for 3 to 6 weeks significantly improves flavor, smoothness, and perceived potency. Burp jars daily for the first week, then weekly as moisture equalizes, using small hygrometers to track stability. Many report the aroma moves from green herbal to deep hash and sweet spice after week two, with the most complex expression between weeks four and eight.
Yield expectations are strong for an auto of this size class. Indoors under efficient LEDs, 400 to 550 grams per square meter is attainable with 9 to 12 liter pots, even spacing, and 600 to 800 PPFD across the canopy. Outdoors in favorable climates, individual plants commonly produce 70 to 150 grams with proper soil volume and at least six hours of direct sun, though high-latitude growers can still harvest commendable yields in short summers.
For processors, Auto Afghan Mass is a solid choice for dry sift, bubble hash, and rosin due to its dense, well-formed trichome heads. Cold water extraction benefits from a 36 to 48 hour freeze of material and gentle agitation to preserve head integrity, often returning 3 to 5 star resin grades when grown and dried carefully. Flower rosin presses in the 90 to 100 degrees Celsius range can yield 15 to 22 percent, with terpene-forward fractions responding well to cold cure techniques.
