Written by Ad OpsOrigins and Breeding History
Auto Chocolate Cream traces its roots to 00 Seeds Bank, a Spanish breeder known for dessert-leaning profiles and robust autoflowering lines. The strain is the automatic expression of the original Chocolate Cream, selectively crossed with a vigorous Cannabis ruderalis donor to introduce day-neutral flowering. This approach preserves the creamy cocoa bouquet and relaxing structure of the photoperiod parent while compressing the life cycle to roughly 60 to 75 days from seed.
The breeding objective was straightforward but ambitious: condense the sensory richness and yield of a classic chocolate-forward cultivar into an accessible, compact, and rapid plant. Early selections emphasized resin density, terpene continuity with the photoperiod line, and uniform growth under varied light schedules. By the F5 to F7 generational window typical of stable autos, most populations express highly consistent stature, internode spacing, and bloom timing.
00 Seeds Bank's catalog emphasizes ease of cultivation, and Auto Chocolate Cream is positioned as a forgiving entry for home growers. This positioning is underpinned by its ruderalis heritage, which reduces photoperiod sensitivity and shortens vegetative transitions. As a result, novices can see harvestable flowers in 9 to 10 weeks with minimal training.
In European hobby markets, autos like this routinely represent 40 to 60 percent of seasonal orders due to their compact size and fast turnaround. Auto Chocolate Cream competes in this segment by offering a niche flavor profile seldom achieved convincingly in autoflowers. Reports from grow logs across indoor and balcony grows consistently highlight its reliable finish before October in temperate zones, which is crucial for mold avoidance.
Genetic Lineage and Inheritance
The genetic foundation is a three-way heritage: ruderalis, indica, and sativa. The indica influence carries the bulk of the plant’s structure and resin density, granting broad leaves, sturdy lateral branches, and dense calyx clusters. The sativa side contributes a mild cerebral clarity and slightly elongated flower formations, keeping the smoke from feeling overly sedative.
Ruderalis introduces the autoflowering trait, governed by a different photoperiod sensitivity inherited from wild populations at higher latitudes. In practical terms, this means the plant begins flowering after roughly 3 to 5 weeks of vegetative growth independent of day length. Most phenotypes exhibit a total life cycle of 65 to 75 days, though faster phenotypes can finish in as little as 60 days under high-intensity lighting.
From the Chocolate Cream line, the strain inherits its confectionary aroma anchored by nutty cocoa and sweet cream notes. This signature comes not only from classic terpenes such as myrcene and caryophyllene but also from minor volatiles and Maillard-like pyrazine compounds that evoke chocolate and toasted sugar. Selection pressure maintained these aromatic markers while stabilizing for compact nodes and uniform bloom onset.
Genetic consistency in autos is a challenge due to multiple generations of backcrossing needed to lock the day-neutral trait without sacrificing potency. Breeding programs typically remove outlier phenotypes that stretch excessively, foxtail under heat, or lose the chocolate-leaning aroma in later bloom. As a result, contemporary seed lots tend to express a narrow height range and terpene continuity, which is reflected in stable indoor canopy management.
Botanical Appearance and Structure
Auto Chocolate Cream is typically compact to medium in stature, with indoor heights averaging 60 to 90 cm and outdoor plants reaching 80 to 120 cm in favorable conditions. The plant forms a central apical cola supported by 4 to 8 productive laterals, producing a near-symmetrical dome. Internode spacing remains tight, often between 3 and 5 cm on the main stem under sufficient light.
Leaves are medium-broad, reflecting an indica lean, with a deep green hue that lightens slightly as phosphorus demand increases in mid-flower. Serrations are pronounced, and petioles stay relatively short, contributing to a stocky profile that is well suited to small tents. As bloom progresses, bract clusters stack into golf-ball-sized nodal sites that coalesce into chunky colas.
Trichome coverage is abundant by day 45 to 55, giving buds a frosted, sugary appearance. Glandular capitate-stalked heads are dominant, which is desirable for solventless extraction. Many growers observe a silver sheen from high trichome density under cool-spectrum side lighting late in bloom.
Mature flowers display a mix of olive and lime green calyxes with amber pistils that darken from cream to burnt orange. Anthocyanin expression is possible in cooler nights, sometimes lending a faint mocha-purple tint on sugar leaves. Calyx-to-leaf ratio is favorable, easing post-harvest trim and improving bag appeal.
Aroma Spectrum
The aroma opens with a clear chocolate-forward top note, reminiscent of milk chocolate and cocoa powder. Beneath that lies a creamy, almost condensed milk sweetness that rounds the profile and reduces sharp herbal tones. Supporting layers bring soft earth, toasted nut, and faint vanilla, creating a confectionary bouquet that justifies the name.
As flowers cure, the chocolate shifts toward a darker, cacao nib direction, often accompanied by a light coffee or roasted malt nuance. This evolution reflects oxidation and binding of certain volatiles, concentrating the nutty and roasted facets. In well-cured samples, the cream note remains present but becomes more caramelized and less dairy-like.
Grinding the buds releases a more herbal-spice character from beta-caryophyllene and humulene, adding peppery and woody accents. These secondary notes keep the profile from veering into cloying territory, providing balance for daily use. On exhale, many users report a lingering cocoa dust sensation with a touch of sweet biscuit.
Aromatics are medium to high intensity even from small jars, measured informally by growers using grams of terpene loss during cure tests. Buds stored at 60 to 62 percent relative humidity maintain the richest chocolate notes, whereas drier storage below 55 percent RH can flatten sweetness. In environments above 65 percent RH, sweet notes persist but risk terpene degradation and mold pressure.
Flavor Profile
The first draw presents semi-sweet chocolate layered over light earth and nut husk, akin to a cocoa-dusted almond. Vaporization at 180 to 190 C highlights the creamy sweetness and reduces harshness, making the chocolate impression more pronounced. Combustion adds a toasted edge that many describe as brownie crust or malted milk.
As the session progresses, the palate shifts to cedar and pepper from caryophyllene and humulene, lending structure to the sweetness. On a long exhale, residual flavors echo mocha and a faint vanilla wafer. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a soft, coating quality that complements evening use.
Terpene preservation heavily influences flavor clarity. Freshly cured buds at 62 percent RH deliver the best definition in blind tastings, while over-dried samples above 58 percent total moisture loss show muted chocolate and elevated pepper. Good airflow during dry, followed by a slow cure of 14 to 28 days, consistently maximizes dessert-like character.
In concentrate form, especially low-temp rosin pressed at 85 to 95 C, the chocolate note is amplified alongside a caramelized cream tone. Hydrocarbon extracts can pull slightly sharper roasted notes, closer to cocoa nib and coffee chaff. Cartridges formulated from live resin preserve sweetness but may underplay the nutty foundation if terpenes are fractionally imbalanced.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency
Auto Chocolate Cream typically expresses moderate to moderately high THC with low CBD. Across reports and lab panels available for autos in this flavor class, THC commonly falls between 14 and 20 percent by dry weight. CBD usually registers under 1 percent, while minor cannabinoids like CBG present in the 0.1 to 0.5 percent range.
Potency is consistent with other modern autos, which have closed the gap with photoperiods over the past decade. In grow-to-grow comparisons, well-optimized indoor runs can land around 18 percent THC, with outliers above 20 percent when light intensity and environmental control are excellent. Outdoor balcony grows often trend lower due to variable VPD and lower daily light integrals.
For dosing expectations, one 0.25 gram vaporized session at 18 percent THC delivers roughly 45 milligrams of THC to the device before losses. Assuming 40 to 60 percent delivery efficiency typical of consumer vaporizers, effective inhaled THC ranges around 18 to 27 milligrams. For joints, combustion losses are higher, often leaving 20 to 35 percent of cannabinoids unconsumed depending on technique and paper porosity.
Users with moderate tolerance generally report a satisfying session with 10 to 15 milligrams inhaled THC equivalents. Newer users might start at 5 milligrams inhaled equivalents, which equates to only 2 to 3 puffs from a half-gram joint of average potency. Because of the strain’s smooth character, it can be deceptively easy to overshoot, so titration is advisable.
Terpene Profile and Aroma Chemistry
The dominant terpene is often myrcene, typically ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 percent by dry weight in cured buds. Myrcene contributes the soft, earthy base and helps accentuate perceived sweetness. Secondary terpenes include beta-caryophyllene at 0.2 to 0.6 percent and humulene at 0.1 to 0.3 percent, providing peppery and woody structure.
Limonene appears in moderate amounts, commonly 0.1 to 0.4 percent, lending gentle citrus brightness that keeps the profile lively. Linalool may register around 0.05 to 0.2 percent, which smooths edges and can add a faint floral cream nuance. Trace ocimene, nerolidol, and guaiol sometimes appear and influence mouthfeel and perceived depth.
The chocolate impression likely derives from a combination of terpenes and minor volatiles such as pyrazines and diketones that occur naturally in trace amounts. Compounds like 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, when present, can evoke cocoa and roasted nuts even at very low concentrations. While cannabis testing often focuses on major terpenes, these micro-compounds significantly color the sensory experience.
In fresh frozen extractions, terpene totals can exceed 2 to 4 percent mass, with the balance shifting slightly toward monoterpenes. After a standard dry and cure, total terpene content often stabilizes between 1 and 2 percent in well-handled flower. Preservation techniques like cold drying at 15 to 17 C and 55 to 60 percent RH can reduce terpene loss by 20 to 30 percent versus warm drying.
Beta-caryophyllene’s ability to bind to CB2 receptors has been explored as a mechanistic pathway for anti-inflammatory signaling. Though total amounts are modest, strains with 0.3 percent or more caryophyllene often subjectively feel grounding. When paired with myrcene, the ensemble leans sedative without fully suppressing clarity, which matches Auto Chocolate Cream’s reported effects.
Experiential Effects and Onset
Users typically describe a gentle, mood-lifting onset within 2 to 5 minutes of inhalation. The early phase is characterized by light euphoria, improved sensory engagement, and a warm body calm. Despite the confectionary aroma, the mental tone remains clear enough for conversation or music.
After 15 to 25 minutes, heavier body relaxation sets in as the indica side asserts itself. Shoulders loosen, jaw tension eases, and a cozy, couch-ready calm becomes apparent. This shift rarely tips into full sedation unless doses are high or the user is already fatigued.
The strain is often considered an evening or late-afternoon option, appropriate for unwinding after work or pairing with dessert. Creative tasks that benefit from a relaxed focus, like sketching or beat making, can feel pleasantly frictionless during the first hour. As the session continues, appetite stimulation commonly appears, making snack planning a practical consideration.
Adverse effects are typical of moderate-THC cultivars: dry mouth, light ocular dryness, and occasional transient dizziness in sensitive users. Anxiety incidence is generally low, likely due to the soothing terpene balance, but rapid consumption or very high-potency batches can still provoke it. Hydration and measured pacing minimize these risks and maintain the strain’s gentle character.
Potential Medical Uses
Auto Chocolate Cream’s balanced profile lends itself to mild to moderate symptom relief without heavy cognitive impairment. The combination of myrcene and caryophyllene supports relaxation and can ease muscle tightness, which may help with tension-related headaches or post-exercise soreness. Users seeking functional relief during evenings often find it helpful for winding down without immediate sleepiness.
For anxiety-prone patients, the dessert-like aroma and smooth flavor can reduce anticipatory discomfort that sometimes accompanies inhalation therapy. Reports suggest that small, titrated doses of 2 to 5 milligrams inhaled THC equivalents can smooth rumination and reduce physiological arousal. In higher doses, the strain’s body comfort qualities become more pronounced but may nudge toward sedation.
Sleep support is achievable for mild insomnia, particularly when the strain is consumed 60 to 90 minutes before bed. The slow glide from mood-lift to body calm aligns with typical sleep hygiene practices. Patients combining this strain with non-pharmacological aids like darkened rooms and reduced screen time often see improved sleep latency.
Appetite stimulation is moderate, which can assist individuals with reduced appetite due to stress or mild gastrointestinal upset. For neuropathic discomforts, vaporized doses in the 10 to 20 milligram inhaled range may provide transient relief, though individual variability is high. As always, medical use should be coordinated with a clinician, especially when other medications are in play.
Because CBD is low, patients seeking anti-inflammatory effects without intoxication might consider adding a CBD-rich adjunct. Ratios of THC to CBD around 1 to 1 have been shown to reduce side effects in some users, but this strain alone will not reach that balance. Nonetheless, its steady caryophyllene content can still contribute to CB2-mediated pathways in supportive fashion.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Auto Chocolate Cream is engineered for simplicity, but its quality scales with environment and scheduling discipline. The plant usually completes in 65 to 75 days from sprout, which makes planning straightforward for successive harvests. Growers can target a grams-per-day metric of 1.0 to 1.6 grams per day of life per square meter when conditions are optimized, translating to roughly 350 to 450 grams per square meter indoors.
Germination and Seedling Stage: Use a light, sterile medium and avoid overfeeding in the first two weeks. Paper towel or rapid rooter methods deliver 85 to 95 percent germination rates when kept at 24 to 26 C with 95 to 100 percent humidity under a dome. Transplant only once, as autos dislike root disturbance; starting in the final container or a nursery pot that fits into the final container minimizes shock.
Medium and Nutrients: The strain performs well in light, aerated soils with 25 to 35 percent perlite or pumice. Coco coir blends at a 70 to 30 coco-perlite ratio are excellent for consistent moisture and fast root expansion. Target pH at 6.0 to 6.3 in soil and 5.8 to 6.0 in coco, keeping EC at 0.8 to 1.2 in early veg and 1.4 to 1.8 in peak bloom.
A gentle nutrient regimen prevents tip burn, which autos are more prone to due to rapid life cycles. Use an NPK progression of roughly 2-1-2 during early growth, shifting to 1-2-3 by week 4 or at first pistils. Supplement with calcium and magnesium, especially in RO water or coco, at 100 to 150 ppm Ca and 30 to 50 ppm Mg.
Lighting: Autos thrive under 18 to 20 hours of light per day from start to finish. Aim for 300 to 500 micromoles per square meter per second PPFD in seedling and early veg, then 600 to 900 PPFD in bloom for balanced growth without excess heat. If CO2 is not supplemented, avoid exceeding 1000 PPFD to prevent light stress.
Daily light integral in bloom should land around 35 to 45 moles per square meter per day for strong yields. LED fixtures with a full-spectrum white and a touch of 660 nm deep red help stack flowers and enhance anthocyanin potential. Maintain canopy uniformity to avoid height disparities because training windows are short in autos.
Environment and VPD: Keep day temperatures at 24 to 27 C and nights at 20 to 23 C. Relative humidity targets start around 65 to 70 percent in seedlings, taper to 55 to 60 percent in mid-veg, and settle near 45 to 50 percent from week 5 onward. Translate these targets into VPD ranges of about 0.8 to 1.0 kPa early, 1.0 to 1.2 kPa mid, and 1.2 to 1.4 kPa late.
Airflow matters for terpene retention and mold prevention in the dense colas this strain can form. Use two to three gentle oscillating fans per square meter to move leaves without visibly stressing them. Negative pressure in tents helps exchange air and reduce microclimates.
Training and Canopy Management: Low-stress training works well if started by day 14 to 18 from sprout. A single soft tie-down to open the crown can increase top site count by 20 to 30 percent. Avoid topping unless you have experience with autos and can execute by day 12 to 15, as later topping can delay flowering and reduce yield.
Defoliation should be light and targeted, removing only leaves that shadow multiple bud sites. Perform any leaf work in two small sessions separated by 3 to 4 days to avoid stalling. The goal is even light distribution without interrupting the plant’s quick developmental clock.
Irrigation Strategy: In soil, water volumes increase from roughly 5 percent of container volume in early seedling to 15 percent by mid-bloom. In coco, frequent smaller irrigations maintain optimal oxygen at the root zone; two to four feeds per day at 10 to 15 percent runoff is common once roots are established. Keep substrate EC stable and avoid drastic swings, which autos can express as clawing or early fade.
CO2 and Advanced Techniques: If supplementing CO2 to 800 to 1000 ppm, increase PPFD toward 900 to 1000 and ensure temperature is closer to 26 to 28 C to match stomatal behavior. Expect potential yield gains of 10 to 20 percent, primarily through denser flowers. Monitor calcium demand, as faster metabolism can expose latent deficiencies.
Pest and Disease Management: The dense, creamy flowers are attractive to botrytis in humid climates, particularly late in bloom. Maintain RH under 50 percent near harvest and promote airflow within the canopy. Scout weekly for spider mites and thrips; yellow sticky cards and a hand lens are low-cost controls.
Integrated pest management tools like predatory mites can be introduced preventatively in weeks 2 to 4. Neem alternatives such as cold-pressed karanja or rosemary oil can help in veg, but avoid foliar applications after week 4 to protect trichomes and flavor. Clean intakes and quarantine new plants to reduce vector risks.
Outdoor and Balcony Cultivation: Autos excel outdoors due to their speed and flexibility, often finishing before heavy fall rains. In full sun, expect 60 to 150 grams per plant depending on container size, with 20 to 40 liters being a productive sweet spot. Protect from cold nights below 12 C during early growth, as stunting reduces final size.
Choose a well-draining, airy soil mix and feed lightly to avoid nutrient burn under intense summer light. Consider staking or a small trellis to support swelling colas in weeks 6 to 9. If privacy is a concern, the plant’s 80 to 120 cm stature typically stays below balcony rails while still producing a satisfying harvest.
Flowering, Ripeness, and Harvest Timing: Pistils often appear by day 20 to 25, with bulk flower building from day 35 to 55. Watch trichomes for ripeness: a standard target is 5 to 15 percent amber with the rest cloudy for balanced effects. For a slightly more sedative profile, allow 20 to 25 percent amber, but be mindful that terpene brightness declines with extended hang time on the plant.
Drying and Curing: Dry for 7 to 12 days at 17 to 19 C and 55 to 60 percent RH with gentle airflow. Stems should snap with a soft crack, and buds should register 10 to 12 percent internal moisture by weight. Cure in airtight jars at 62 percent RH, burping daily for the first week, then weekly for 3 to 4 weeks.
Yield Expectations and Efficiency: Indoors, many growers report 350 to 450 grams per square meter under 600 to 800 watts of high-efficiency LED in a 1.2 meter square area. Per-plant yields in 11-liter pots range from 50 to 120 grams depending on phenotype and training. Efficiency of 0.8 to 1.2 grams per watt is attainable with dialed environments and disciplined feeding.
Quality Optimization: Terpene retention improves when late-bloom temperatures are kept at the lower end of the range and when plants are not overfed nitrogen after week 4. A gradual taper in EC across the final 10 days can reduce chlorophyll and improve combustibility. Avoid aggressive flushes that cause a sudden fade; measured step-downs provide cleaner results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Starting seeds in hot, heavily fertilized soil can stunt autos, reducing final yields by 20 to 40 percent. Excessive defoliation or topping past day 18 can slow growth irreversibly due to the fixed life cycle. Overwatering during early growth is another frequent issue; aim for full wet-dry cycles that still protect seedlings from drought stress.
Post-Harvest Handling and Storage: Store finished flower in airtight containers at 16 to 20 C, 55 to 62 percent RH, and away from light to minimize terpene oxidation. Oxygen-exchange lids or periodic burping keep volatiles fresh in the first month. Proper storage can maintain 70 to 80 percent of terpene intensity for 60 to 90 days, whereas poor storage can halve aromatic quality in weeks.
Putting It All Together: With disciplined environment control, Auto Chocolate Cream rewards growers with a rare chocolate-forward profile in an auto format. The ruderalis, indica, and sativa heritage from 00 Seeds Bank yields a compact, resinous plant that performs both indoors and out. Target consistent light, moderate feeding, and gentle training to unlock its full sensory potential.
