Fully Loaded

Bud Basics

With a name like this, you’d expect nothing less than a hard-hitting, mind-blowing strain that takes no prisoners. Particularly when considering the fact that AK-47 Autoflower owes her origins to no less than four extremely potent landrace strains. What you wouldn’t expect is a delicate, enjoyable and perfectly pretty piece of cannabis engineering.

Nevertheless, that’s exactly what AK-47 Auto brings to the table. With her relatively generous THC content and a decent amount of CBD to boot, AK-47 is one of the all-time classics in recreational or medicinal cannabis circles alike. Far from blowing you into the middle of next week like a Russian assault rifle, this iconic weed is more likely to gently lift you into a state of pure and unbridled happiness.

Created all the way back in 1992 by Serious Seeds, AK-47 is an Amsterdam original with serious pedigree. Her genetic composition comprises approximately 65% Sativa and 35% Indica genetics, painting a pretty accurate picture of what to expect.

AK-47 Auto was created by combining the genetics of four fantastic landrace strains - Colombian, Mexican, Afghani and Thai. The result of which being an energizing yet well-balanced hybrid, which has collected more than a dozen prestigious awards over the years.

A typical batch from this auto superstar will measure for a THC content in the region of 20%. As this is one of the most widely grown and enjoyed strains worldwide, actual THC varies wildly from one batch to the next – anything from 15% to 25%. As an added bonus, you’ll also be looking at approximately 1.5% CBD in the mix, for added therapeutic value. 

This is the new and improved autoflowering variant of AK-47, which means faster and easier results at the cost of a fractionally reduced yield. Though given the fact that you’ll easily fit a couple of grow cycles into a single season, it’s not exactly a heavy price to pay.

Flavor and Fragrance of AK-47

The three most prolific terpenes in AK-47 Auto are myrcene, caryophyllene and pinene, which are known for their herbal, peppery and pine-fresh fragrances accordingly. Somehow, all the various compounds that go into AK’s composition come together to create a fragrance not dissimilar to gunpowder. Though that may be a case of subconscious association – we’ll let you decide.

On the nose, the initial fragrance is relatively sour with plenty of old-school Skunk, underpinned by floral notes and freshly dug earth. You’d therefore expect AK-47 to be somewhat biting, sharp and acrid on the palate, but she’s actually surprisingly sweet on both the inhale and the exhale. She’s also known for leaving behind a rich and almost creamy aftertaste, which is downright delicious.

AK provides a wildly different flavor and fragrance experience in accordance with preferred consumption methods. She’s a far spicier and more peppery experience when the buds are combusted, with more of those dessert-like nuances coming through when vaporized. Rather than choosing one or the other, you may as well try both and see which works best for you.

Just be warned that the fragrance of AK-47 Autoflower (both in bud form and when burned) tends to permeate everything in the vicinity, and keeping that aroma under wraps can be quite the challenge.

Effects

The fact that AK-47 Auto leans towards the Sativa side of the spectrum gives a good indication of what to expect from the high. Though it has to be said that after an initial cerebral blast, the whole thing becomes surprisingly well-balanced.

The immediate feeling is one of soaring energy, motivation and joy, eliminating all negative thoughts and replacing them with uncontrollable laughter. Irrespective of how crappy you’re feeling at the time, a few hits of AK-47 will have you grinning like an idiot.

This initial burst of energy and motivation eventually gives way to a feeling of head to toe relaxation and contentment. Not in a tranquilizing or incapacitating sense, but more a case of being eased into a sort of trance that lingers for several hours. You’ll feel confident, optimistic and capable of accomplishing anything, but there is a good chance you’ll be more than content just sitting around and soaking up your surroundings.

AK-47 Auto isn’t a strain that’s going to put you to sleep, nor is it going to load you with the kind of nervous energy you won’t know what to do with. Though if you happen to land a batch with 25% THC, the initial rush can be a little difficult to deal with.

Medical Uses of AK-47 Autoflower

The exceptionally well-balanced effects of AK-47 Autoflower make this one of the most versatile strains you can lay your hands on for therapeutic applications. Particularly when it comes to banishing negative thoughts and emotions, AK in general is an unstoppable force.

During the initial stages of the high, issues like everyday stress, mild depression, anxiety and mood disorders are blasted into oblivion. Within minutes, you’ve completely forgotten about what may have been bothering you and can suddenly see everything that’s good in the world. It’s a little like when a pleasant surprise completely transforms your day – everything instantly becomes better at the snap of a finger.

Though AK-47 Autoflower is far from sedating, she nonetheless has sufficient physical impact get to work on a variety of other conditions and complaints.  Examples of which include headaches, migraines, joint stiffness, muscle pains and nausea. She’s also great for dealing with occasional bouts of poor appetite, due to a strong connection with prolific and prolonged hunger-pangs.

Users with a low THC tolerance will usually find AK-47 Auto relatively accessible and controllable. That said, batches with a more elevated THC have a tendency to bring on mind-race in the initial stages of the high, which may prove overwhelming for the uninitiated.

Growing AK-47 Autoflower Seeds

All versions of AK-47 are relatively simple to grow, though the autoflowering version promises the fastest results of all. Exact seed-to-harvest times vary from one batch to the next, but you’ll be looking at a flowering time of no more than around seven weeks in total. All with the added bonus of not having to worry about light/dark cycles, as AK-47 Auto is programmed to automatically start flowering when the time is right.

Outdoors, these fast-flowering beauties need a consistently warm and sunny climate with relatively low humidity at all times. Indoors, humidity levels need to be closely monitored, as the biggest risk growers face is mold or mildew. AK-47 Autoflower plants are relatively short and stocky in nature, though this can cause issues with air circulation – careful pruning is therefore essential.

Autoflower yields are usually a little more modest than their photoperiod counterparts, though you could still be looking at a good 12oz of weed for every square meter of grow space. Which isn’t bad, considering the fact that these ladies more or less grow themselves.

Just be sure to take adequate precautions by way of odor-control and ventilation - AK-47 stinks to high heaven as the plants reach maturity.

Summary

The appeal of AK-47 Autoflower lies in the potent yet well-balanced nature of the strain’s effects. She may not be the most attractive strain to look at or even the most enticing on the palate, but is nonetheless an exceptionally versatile and enjoyable hybrid.

Having won somewhere in the region of 16 major awards over the years, AK-47 is a tried, tested and approved strain you simply cannot go wrong with. Of course,  the fact that this auto variant is also relatively easy to grow simply adds bags to her appeal.