Written by Ad OpsIntroduction and Overview of Auto Moon
Auto Moon is an autoflowering cannabis cultivar developed by The Moon Seeds, positioned as a balanced ruderalis/indica/sativa hybrid. As an auto, it transitions from seed to harvest without photoperiod manipulation, making it accessible to new growers and a time-saving workhorse for experienced cultivators. The strain is designed to finish quickly while carrying modern hybrid vigor, dense resin coverage, and a versatile day-to-night effect profile.
In practical terms, Auto Moon targets a complete cycle of roughly 70–85 days from sprout under stable indoor conditions. Many growers choose 18/6 or 20/4 light schedules throughout the entire life, and the plant responds well to medium-to-high photon flux if environmental controls are dialed in. Indoor yields for well-managed autos commonly land in the 350–550 g/m² range, with 60–150 g per plant typical depending on pot size, training, and light intensity.
The lineage blends ruderalis for auto-flowering, indica traits for structure and body tone, and sativa components for uplift and aromatics. This balance tends to produce a nuanced, layered experience: a clear onset for mood and focus, later folding into a smoother body ease. The profile makes Auto Moon adaptable to varied use-cases, from creative sessions and socializing to evening decompression.
While specific lab numbers can vary by phenotype and grow conditions, modern autoflowers of this style frequently test in the mid-to-upper teens and low 20s for THC with low CBD. The terpene ensemble commonly centers on myrcene, limonene, and beta-caryophyllene, showcasing citrus, sweet floral, and earthy-spiced tones. Growers who finish with careful drying and a slow cure consistently report a refined flavor and a pleasantly balanced effect curve.
Breeding History and Origin
Auto Moon comes from The Moon Seeds, a breeder known for focusing on practical, grower-friendly autos that retain the complexity of photoperiod hybrids. By integrating a stabilized ruderalis backbone with selected indica and sativa parents, they pursued a cultivar that flowers predictably while preserving density, aroma integrity, and potency. The breeding objective is to capture a repeatable performance under diverse environments, from small indoor tents to balcony and short-season outdoor grows.
Autoflowering cannabis traces back to Cannabis ruderalis populations adapted to northern latitudes, where day length can be extreme. The trait to flower based on age rather than light cycle is an evolutionary response that modern breeders leverage to compress timelines and improve adaptability. Through repeated backcrossing and selection, breeders like The Moon Seeds stabilize the auto trait while dialing up resin production, terpenes, and overall vigor.
The rise of high-performance autos over the past decade is reflected in potency trajectories. Early-generation autos from the 2000s often tested at 8–14% THC, while contemporary lines commonly reach 16–22% THC, with elite phenotypes pushing higher under optimized cultivation. This steady improvement demonstrates how careful selection can elevate autos to rival many photoperiods in flavor, density, and resin output.
Community reports around Auto Moon highlight a forgiving growth window and a strong central cola structure that suits compact spaces. These observations align with breeding goals for consistent internodal spacing and a manageable canopy height. The strain’s name hints at a polished, luminous resin layer and a steady arc of effects, analogous to a moon’s rising and settling phases across a session.
Genetic Lineage and Autoflowering Heritage
Auto Moon’s declared heritage—ruderalis/indica/sativa—signals a three-part design: age-based flowering from ruderalis, structural and resin heft from indica, and aromatic lift and mental clarity from sativa. Ruderalis is fundamental here, supplying the genetic mechanism that breaks reliance on a 12/12 light cycle. This trait is dominant when properly stabilized; growers can expect flowering onset between days 21 and 35 from sprout irrespective of light schedule.
Indica-leaning components in many modern autos drive compact stature, thicker petioles, and improved calyx density. This often results in conical, tightly packed flowers with a higher calyx-to-leaf ratio ideal for trimming. Sativa influence adds stretch potential early in bloom, raising lateral branching and contributing bright terpenes like limonene and pinene for zestier, more expansive aromatics.
The practical grow outcome is a plant that frequently reaches 60–100 cm indoors when grown in 11–20 hours of light per day. Outdoors, especially in higher latitudes with long summer days, autos may reach 80–120 cm, provided they are planted in large containers with abundant root aeration. Flower formation usually accelerates from week 5 onward, with bulking peaking in weeks 7–10 depending on environment and phenotype.
Because of this blended heritage, phenotype variance can be modest but meaningful: some plants lean more indica with chunkier colas and heavier body effects, while others show a touch more sativa stretch and an airier high. Breeders mitigate variance through selection, but autos inherently compress development, making early environmental stability crucial. Keeping VPD, nutrition, and light consistent in the first 30 days significantly narrows phenotype spread in stature and yield.
Appearance and Plant Morphology
Auto Moon typically exhibits a compact, bushy architecture with a dominant central cola. Internodal spacing tends to be moderate, allowing stacked bud sites that reduce larf when light penetration is adequate. The leaves often present a deep emerald green, with broader leaflets early that narrow slightly as the plant transitions into mid-flower.
Flowers form into tapered, conical spears with high resin coverage, giving a frosted, moonlit sheen under magnification. Pistils emerge pale cream to tangerine and mature to copper and umber hues as trichomes shift from clear to cloudy. Under controlled night-time drops of 3–5°C late in flower, anthocyanin expression can surface on bracts and sugar leaves, presenting dusk-like purples.
The calyx-to-leaf ratio can skew favorable, which often translates to faster hand-trimming and better bag appeal. Trichome heads appear predominantly in the 70–90 µm range, typical of resinous hybrids, and mature rapidly as harvest approaches. A well-grown specimen reveals a uniform canopy with minimal lower popcorn if trained lightly in weeks 2–4.
Aroma and Bouquet
The bouquet of Auto Moon leans toward sweet citrus over a bed of earth and faint spice, reflecting a limonene–myrcene–caryophyllene axis. Freshly rubbed sugar leaves often release notes reminiscent of lemon zest, ripe mango, and damp forest floor. As the cure progresses, the earth-and-spice undertone deepens, and the top notes can evolve into candied citrus with a hint of floral perfume.
Breaking dried buds amplifies the contrast between bright terpenes and grounding, peppery warmth. Many growers report a clean, terpene-forward nose even in small containers, suggesting good terpene retention when drying and curing are done slowly. Cold, dark, low-oxygen storage helps preserve the high-volatility monoterpenes that drive the initial pop on the nose.
In rooms with strong airflow, the aroma is noticeable but not overwhelmingly skunky, making it a reasonable choice for discrete indoor cultivation. Carbon filters rated at 150–300 CFM for small tents typically manage odor effectively when paired with proper ducting. As with any resinous cultivar, odor intensity climbs during weeks 7–9, when terpene synthesis peaks.
Flavor Profile and Consumption Notes
On the palate, Auto Moon carries a citrus-led entry that often reads as lemon candy or orange peel, followed by a creamy sweetness. The mid-palate tends to reveal soft herbal tones—basil, bay leaf, or sweet hay—interlaced with subtle pepper from caryophyllene. The finish returns to earthy resin and a clean, slightly floral aftertaste that lingers for several minutes.
Vaporization at 175–185°C (347–365°F) emphasizes limonene brightness and sweet, creamy elements while maintaining smoothness. At 190–200°C (374–392°F), more of the peppery spice and earthy tones emerge, along with heavier vapor density from increased cannabinoid volatilization. Combustion presents robust flavor but can flatten the top notes if the material is overdried or the cure is rushed.
A proper 10–14 day dry at ~60% relative humidity, followed by at least a 3–4 week cure, preserves the citrus high notes and smooths the peppery edges. Users sensitive to harshness should target water activity of 0.55–0.62 aw in jars, verified with a hygrometer, for a balanced mouthfeel. Grinding should be gentle to avoid terpene loss; a medium grind often proves optimal for convection vaporizers.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency
As an autoflowering hybrid from The Moon Seeds, Auto Moon is expected to track with contemporary autos in potency. Many modern autos test in the 16–22% THC range under standard indoor conditions, with optimized environments occasionally pushing higher. CBD is usually present at trace to low levels (<1%), while minor cannabinoids like CBG may register around 0.2–1.0% depending on phenotype and maturation.
Observed potency is strongly influenced by light intensity and duration. Under 20/4 lighting with 900–1,200 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ peak PPFD and a daily light integral (DLI) of 40–50 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹, growers often see higher cannabinoid accumulation relative to suboptimal light. Conversely, insufficient light (<500 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ in mid-bloom) can reduce both yield and total cannabinoids by double-digit percentages.
Harvest timing notably affects the psychoactive curve. Pulling when trichomes are ~5–10% amber and majority cloudy commonly preserves a brighter, more energetic profile, while waiting for 15–25% amber tends to deepen body sedation. Because THC oxidizes to CBN post-harvest if mishandled, a slow, cool cure and proper storage limit potency drift over time.
For dose planning, inhaled THC onset is typically 5–10 minutes with a 2–3 hour primary duration and lingering tail beyond that. Oral preparations exhibit 45–120 minute onset with 4–8 hour duration, and first-pass metabolism can yield stronger effects at the same milligram dose. A conservative starter dose is 2.5 mg THC for oral use or 1–2 inhalations for new users, increasing only after assessing tolerance.
While autos have historically tested lower than photoperiods, the last decade’s gains have narrowed the gap considerably. Side-by-side reports under matched PPFD and VPD show autos achieving within 10–20% of the total cannabinoid content of equivalent photoperiod genetics. This underscores how environmental optimization can be as impactful as genetic selection in final potency.
Terpene Profile and Chemical Nuance
Auto Moon’s terpene signature is consistent with balanced hybrid autos, most frequently dominated by myrcene, limonene, and beta-caryophyllene. In lab-tested autos of similar pedigree, total terpene content commonly falls between 1.5% and 2.5% by dry weight, with top contributors each ranging around 0.2–0.8%. Secondary terpenes often include alpha-pinene (0.1–0.3%), linalool (0.05–0.15%), humulene (0.05–0.15%), and occasional traces of ocimene.
Myrcene tends to provide the soft, herbal fruit and contributes to the perceived body relaxation, especially later in the session. Limonene imparts the bright citrus character and can be associated with elevated mood and a sense of clarity for many consumers. Beta-caryophyllene, a dietary cannabinoid that interacts with CB2 receptors, layers a gentle peppery warmth and is often discussed in the context of inflammatory pathways in preclinical literature.
The balance between monoterpenes (limonene, alpha-pinene) and sesquiterpenes (caryophyllene, humulene) influences volatility and perceived potency. Monoterpenes evaporate more readily, explaining why the first nose out of the jar is so citrus-forward. As a jar airs out, deeper notes persist thanks to the higher boiling points of sesquiterpenes, sustaining the earthy-spicy footprint.
Environmental factors heavily shape terpene outcomes. Cooler late-flower temperatures (20–24°C day, 17–20°C night) and moderate VPD (1.0–1.2 kPa) tend to enhance terpene retention when paired with gentle airflow. A slow dry at 60°F/60% RH for 10–14 days minimizes volatilization and enzymatic degradation, often preserving 10–30% more terpene content versus hot, rapid drying.
When making extracts, hydrocarbon or solventless methods both capture Auto Moon’s resin well. Ice water hash using 73–159 µm bags typically collects the richest fraction of intact heads for full-melt potential if grown and harvested at peak ripeness. For rosin, a 180–200°F press on 90 µm bags can preserve brighter notes, though yields and flavor respond to exact trichome maturity and curing method.
Experiential Effects and Use Scenarios
Auto Moon’s effect curve generally opens with a clear, upbeat lift before settling into a calm, grounded body feel. Users often describe improved focus and a sociable, creative mindset in the first 30–45 minutes. As time progresses, the indica side becomes more prominent, easing muscle tension and encouraging relaxation without heavy couch-lock in moderate doses.
Onset speed depends on consumption method. Inhalation usually peaks within 15–30 minutes and maintains a balanced plateau of 60–120 minutes, with a gradual taper afterward. Edibles or tinctures elicit a more sustained arc, making them better suited to evening routines or longer activities.
Commonly reported side effects are dry mouth, dry eyes, and transient short-term memory lapses at higher doses. Hydration and measured pacing help mitigate these effects; spacing inhalations by 5–10 minutes allows effects to stabilize. Those sensitive to racy highs should avoid large doses in stimulating environments and consider strains with lower THC or balanced CBD if needed.
Practical scenarios for Auto Moon include daytime creative work where uplift is appreciated, late-afternoon social sessions, and post-exercise relaxation. Pairing with light activity—like a walk, stretching, or music—tends to harmonize the mental clarity and body ease. For wind-down routines, smaller doses earlier followed by a slightly larger, late-evening dose can balance mental presence with sleep readiness.
Potential Medical Applications
While clinical evidence is evolving and individual responses vary, the balanced profile of Auto Moon may support several symptom areas. The initial mood lift and reduced rumination can be useful for stress and mild anxiety in low doses, where limonene and pinene are often appreciated subjectively. The gradual body relaxation may also aid in muscle tension and mild-to-moderate pain modulation.
For sleep, users often report that a moderate dose taken 60–90 minutes before bedtime helps shorten sleep latency. Myrcene-rich chemotypes are frequently associated with sedative synergy, especially when paired with a small secondary dose after the initial uplift fades. Those with paradoxical stimulation should reduce dosage or time consumption earlier in the evening.
THC’s interaction with CB1 receptors is well known to influence appetite, which can benefit individuals coping with appetite suppression. Beta-caryophyllene’s CB2 activity is a subject of preclinical interest for inflammatory processes, though human data remain limited. As always, caution is advised with any medical use, and consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended, particularly for patients on concurrent medications.
Dose strategies for symptom management should prioritize titration. For inhalation, 1–2 small puffs, wait 10 minutes, then reassess, aiming for a total of 2–5 mg THC equivalents for beginners. For oral dosing, 1–2.5 mg THC is a low-impact starting range, with many users finding 5–10 mg effective once tolerance and response are known.
Non-intoxicating options such as adding CBD may be leveraged to soften the psychoactive edge. Ratios like 1:1 or CBD-forward formulations (e.g., 2:1 CBD:THC) can help users prone to anxiety while still leveraging THC’s analgesic and appetite effects. Tracking dose, timing, and symptom response in a simple log can accelerate individualized optimization.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Auto Moon is designed to finish in roughly 70–85 days from sprout under consistent indoor conditions. Because autos commit to flowering on a genetic clock, the first 30 days are critical; stress during this window can reduce final yield by 20–40%. Plan the environment, medium, and nutrition profile in advance so the plant never stalls during seedling and early vegetative growth.
Germination success rates above 90% are achievable using a 24–36 hour soak followed by the paper towel method at 24–26°C. Plant taproot-down into final containers once the root is 1–1.5 cm, avoiding prolonged handling. Autos often prefer being seeded directly into their final pot (11–19 liters, or 3–5 gallons) to avoid growth checks from transplants.
Choose a light schedule of 18/6 or 20/4 for the entire cycle; both can produce excellent results. Seedlings perform well at 300–450 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ PPFD, scaling to 600–800 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ by late veg and 900–1,200 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ in bloom for robust resin formation. Maintain a DLI of 35–45 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ in flower to balance carbon gain with manageable heat and transpiration.
Environmental targets should stay stable: days at 24–28°C and nights at 20–24°C early, tapering to 22–26°C days and 18–21°C nights late in flower. Relative humidity of 65–70% for seedlings, 55–60% in early veg, 50–55% in early bloom, and 45–50% late bloom helps align with a VPD of ~0.9–1.2 kPa. Gentle, uniform airflow prevents microclimates that can foster powdery mildew or botrytis.
In soil, aim for a slightly amended, well-aerated mix with 25–35% perlite or pumice to enhance oxygenation. Start nutrition lightly at EC 0.8–1.0 for seedlings, 1.2–1.6 in veg, and 1.8–2.2 during peak bloom depending on the cultivar’s appetite. In coco/hydro, pH at 5.8–6.2 supports optimal uptake, while soil thrives at 6.2–6.8.
Calcium and magnesium supplementation (100–150 ppm Ca, 40–70 ppm Mg) is often beneficial under high-intensity LEDs, which drive higher transpiration and can expose latent deficiencies. Silica at 50–100 ppm bolsters stem strength and can improve stress tolerance. Maintain adequate sulfur through bloom, as it supports terpene formation; deficiencies often present as pale new growth and muted aroma.
Water management is crucial for autos. Aim for complete but not excessive saturation, allowing 10–20% runoff in coco/hydro to prevent salt accumulation, and water soil when the pot feels light, typically every 2–4 days depending on size and environment. Overwatering in weeks 1–3 can slow root expansion, reducing canopy size and final yield.
Training should be gentle and early. Low-stress training (LST) from days 14–28 can open the canopy and even out tops, improving light distribution and airflow. If topping, do it only once at the 3rd–4th node no later than day 18–21 on a vigorous seedling; otherwise, stick to LST and selective defoliation in weeks 3–5.
CO2 supplementation can enhance growth if light and nutrients are abundant. Maintaining 800–1,000 ppm CO2 in bloom under 900–1,200 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ PPFD can add 10–20% yield, as reported in controlled indoor gardens. Without sufficient light or nutrition, added CO2 offers minimal benefit.
Pests to watch include fungus gnats, thrips, and spider mites. Implement integrated pest management (IPM) with yellow sticky traps, top-dressings of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTi) for gnats, and predatory mites like Neoseiulus californicus as needed. Foliar preventatives such as neem or potassium salts can be used in early veg but should be stopped well before flowers set to preserve terpenes.
Deficiency troubleshooting follows common patterns. Magnesium deficiency shows as interveinal chlorosis on older leaves; supplement 50–70 ppm Mg and ensure pH is in range. Nitrogen should be tapered entering bloom to avoid dark, overly leafy flowers, while potassium and phosphorus should be adequate to support bulking and resin production.
By days 45–60, Auto Moon typically enters peak bulking, with daily water uptake and EC demand at their highest. Monitor runoff EC and adjust feeding to avoid tip burn; a mild burn indicates the edge of optimal nutrition, but sustained burn can reduce photosynthetic efficiency. Gentle defoliation of lower, shaded leaves at week 5–6 can improve airflow without stressing the plant.
Harvest timing should be guided by trichome maturity. Many growers target a window where 5–15% of heads show amber and the majority are cloudy, aligning with a balanced effect profile. Flushing for 7–10 days in salt-based systems can help reduce residual nutrients; living soils may not require a traditional flush, but a water-only period can still be beneficial.
Drying should follow the 60/60 guideline—60°F (15.5°C) and 60% RH for 10–14 days in darkness with gentle airflow not directly on flowers. Aim for stems to snap rather than bend before trimming and jarring. Curing for 3–8 weeks at 58–62% RH, burping as needed, refines flavor and smoothness and can preserve a higher terpene fraction versus fast-dried product.
Yield expectations are realistic yet rewarding. In optimized indoor runs, 350–550 g/m² is common for modern autos, and 60–150 g per plant is achievable in 3–5 gallon containers with strong light and good root health. Outdoors in temperate regions, planting in late spring can produce 50–120 g per plant depending on sunlight, pot size, and season length.
For consistent results, standardize a grow log capturing temperature, RH, VPD, PPFD, pH, EC, and irrigation volumes. This data-driven approach helps correlate environmental changes with plant responses and allows iterative improvement across cycles. Autos reward stability; small optimizations in week 1–4 compound into significant yield and quality gains by harvest.
Post-Harvest Handling, Curing, and Storage
Post-harvest, the preservation of Auto Moon’s citrus-forward top notes depends on temperature, humidity, and airflow. Immediately after cutting, remove only the largest fan leaves to slow the dry slightly and protect volatile monoterpenes. Hang branches or whole plants in a dark room at 60°F/60% RH with gentle, indirect airflow.
A 10–14 day dry is a sweet spot for most dense hybrid autos. If small buds dry in 5–7 days, flavor can skew to hay and the citrus nose flattens; slowing the process allows chlorophyll to degrade more completely. Use a hygrometer in the drying space, and avoid RH swings greater than ±5% to maintain uniformity.
Once stems snap cleanly, trim and jar the flowers at 58–62% RH. Burp jars daily for the first week, then every 2–3 days for weeks 2–3, watching for humidity spikes that suggest residual moisture. Total cure time of 3–8 weeks greatly improves smoothness and accentuates Auto Moon’s sweet, creamy elements over its peppery undertone.
For long-term storage, oxidation and light are the enemies. Opaque, airtight containers stored at 10–15°C with minimal headspace can preserve cannabinoids and terpenes for months; data suggest terpene loss accelerates above 21°C. Vacuum sealing or using inert gas can further limit oxygen exposure, reducing the rate of THC-to-CBN conversion.
When preparing material for extraction, consider a short cure or a carefully controlled fresh-frozen workflow. Fresh-frozen at harvest captures the live terpene profile exceptionally well for ice water hash or hydrocarbon extraction. If pressing rosin, cured flower at 58–62% RH generally yields 15–25% by weight for resinous autos, with variability based on trichome maturity and cultivar appetite.
Proper post-harvest discipline can be the difference between good and exceptional outcomes. Growers often report smoother smoke, brighter citrus, and more persistent floral notes when the dry-and-cure protocol is followed precisely. With Auto Moon’s balanced terpene architecture, that care is rewarded in both aroma intensity and effect clarity.
