Before diving in, let’s be clear: germinating cannabis seeds is illegal in the UK. However, in Germany, where our good friends are growing these seeds legally for personal use, we’re able to share their experience. All it took was switching the equipment to EU power standards, and they were ready to go! Who knows, one day this could become legal in the UK too!

Autoflowering strains like Zookies are an excellent choice for growers due to their ease of cultivation and shorter growth cycle. Below is a comprehensive guide based on our contacts’ successful setup.

Equipment Overview

This grow uses the following setup:

Seeds: Zookies – Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds
Seeding Tray: Seed Trays with Grow Light, 2 Pack 80 Cells
Grow Tent: GA Grow Tent 2.4m x 1.2m x 2m
Grow Light: PHLIZON FD8000 1000W LED (adjustable height and dimmable)
Ventilation:
Dehumidifier: Pro-Breeze 30/l Wifi – Keeps humidity at 50%
Growing Medium: Canna Pro
Nutrients:
Pots: 10L fabric pots (used throughout the grow – after seeding)

Week-by-Week Guide

Week 1: Germination ?

Soak seeds in distilled water for 24 hours until they sink.
Explanation: This hydrates the seed and begins the germination process.
Transfer to a damp paper towel and place in a warm, dark location (22-25°C) until taproots emerge.
Explanation: The damp paper towel keeps seeds moist while warmth promotes sprouting.
Plant directly into 10L fabric pots filled with Canna Pro soil.
? Light Schedule: 18-20 hours/day
? Light Distance: 60-75 cm (24-30 inches)
? Light Setting: Dial at **2** (20% power)
? Watering: Mist lightly with water every 2-3 days; ensure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged.
Nutrients: None yet.

Week 2: Seedling Stage ?

The seedlings will begin to develop their first true leaves.
? Light Schedule: Maintain 18-20 hours/day
? Light Distance: Lower to 60 cm (24 inches)
? Light Setting: Dial at **2.5** (25% power)
? Watering: Increase to ~200ml every 2-3 days, ensuring the soil dries slightly between waterings.
Nutrients:
- Start Elixir Gardens High Nitrogen Liquid at 1ml/L once seedlings are established (~day 7).

Week 3: Early Vegetative Stage ??

Seedlings will grow rapidly, developing a stronger root system and more foliage.
? Light Schedule: 18-20 hours/day
? Light Distance: Lower to 45 cm (18 inches)
? Light Setting: Dial at **3** (30% power)
? Watering: Increase to 1L every 2-3 days, ensuring the soil is evenly moist.
Nutrients:
- Begin Dutch Pro A+B at 1ml/L.
- Continue Elixir Gardens High Nitrogen Liquid at 1ml/L.

Week 4: Late Vegetative Stage ?

Plants will start forming a bushy structure; now is the time for Low-Stress Training (LST).
? Light Schedule: 18-20 hours/day
? Light Distance: Maintain 45 cm (18 inches)
? Light Setting: Dial at **4** (40% power)
? Watering: 1-2L every 2-3 days.
Nutrients:
- Increase Dutch Pro A+B to 2ml/L.
- Continue Elixir Gardens High Nitrogen Liquid at 1ml/L.

Week 5: Pre-Flowering Stage ?

Plants transition to flowering; pistils (white hairs) may appear.
? Light Schedule: 18-20 hours/day
? Light Distance: Lower to 40 cm (16 inches)
? Light Setting: Dial at **5** (50% power)
? Watering: 2-3L every 2-3 days.
Nutrients:
- Increase Dutch Pro A+B to 3ml/L.
- Reduce Elixir Gardens High Nitrogen Liquid to 0.5ml/L.
- Start Dutch Pro EXPLODE at 0.5ml/L.

Week 6: Early Flowering Stage ?

Bud formation begins, with noticeable growth in size and resin production.
? Light Schedule: 18-20 hours/day
? Light Distance: Maintain 40 cm (16 inches)
? Light Setting: Dial at **6** (60% power)
? Watering: 2-3L every 2-3 days.
Nutrients:
- Maintain Dutch Pro A+B at 3ml/L.
- Continue Dutch Pro EXPLODE at 0.5ml/L.

Week 7: Mid-Flowering Stage ?

Buds grow larger and begin to emit a strong aroma. Resin production intensifies.
? Light Schedule: 18-20 hours/day
? Light Distance: Lower to 35 cm (14 inches)
? Light Setting: Dial at **7** (70% power)
? Watering: 3-4L every 2-3 days.
Nutrients:
- Maintain Dutch Pro A+B at 3ml/L.
- Increase Dutch Pro EXPLODE to 1ml/L.

Week 8: Late Flowering Stage ??

Buds are nearly fully developed, with trichome production at its peak.
? Light Schedule: 18-20 hours/day
? Light Distance: Maintain 35 cm (14 inches)
? Light Setting: Dial at **80** (80% power)
? Watering: 3-4L every 2-3 days.
Nutrients:
- Maintain Dutch Pro A+B at 3ml/L.
- Continue Dutch Pro EXPLODE at 1ml/L.

Week 9: Ripening ?

Buds are ready for harvest; trichomes should be cloudy/milky with some amber hues.
? Light Schedule: 18-20 hours/day
? Light Distance: Maintain 30 cm (12 inches)
? Light Setting: Dial at **10** (100% power)
? Watering: Reduce slightly to 2-3L every 2-3 days.
Nutrients:
- Reduce all nutrients by half to prepare for flushing.

Week 10: Flushing ?

Flush plants with plain, pH-balanced water (6.0-6.5) to remove residual nutrients.
? Light Schedule: 18-20 hours/day
? Light Distance: Maintain 30 cm (12 inches)
? Light Setting: Dial at **10** (100% power)
? Watering: 3-4L of plain water every 2-3 days.
Nutrients: None (flushing stage).

Drying and Curing the Harvest ?

Once your Auto Zookies plants have been harvested, proper drying and curing are essential to preserve flavour, potency, and overall quality. Rushing this step can lead to harsh smoke, reduced potency, and poor storage longevity. Follow this guide for the best results:

Drying Your Buds ?

Trim and Hang: After harvesting, remove excess fan leaves and hang the branches upside down using a drying hanger in a well-ventilated drying area.
? Light Conditions: Keep the drying area in complete darkness to protect cannabinoids and terpenes.
? Temperature: Maintain a stable temperature of **18-21°C (65-70°F)**.
? Humidity: Maintain **50-60% relative humidity** for slow, even drying.
⏱ Time: Allow the buds to dry for **7-10 days**, or until the stems snap cleanly instead of bending.

Curing Your Buds ?

Jar the Buds: Once dried, trim the buds from the branches and place them in airtight glass jars (e.g., mason jars) or tins.
? Light Conditions: Store jars in a cool, dark place to preserve quality and prevent degradation of cannabinoids and terpenes.
? Temperature: Keep the curing environment at 20-21°C (68-70°F).
? Humidity: Use humidity control packs (e.g., Boveda 62%) to maintain ideal moisture levels within the jars.
⏱ Burping:
- Week 1-2: Open the jars for 15 minutes daily to release built-up moisture and exchange fresh air.
- Week 3-4: Reduce burping to every 2-3 days for approximately 10 minutes per session.
- Week 5 and Beyond: Burp the jars once a week for 5-10 minutes to maintain freshness and monitor for any changes in humidity.
⏱ Time: Cure for a minimum of 2-3 weeks, though curing for 4-6 weeks will significantly enhance flavour, aroma, and smoothness.

Pro Tips ?

Monitor Humidity: Avoid humidity above 65% to prevent mould and below 55% to avoid over drying.
Longer Cures: For the best results, cure your buds for up to 2 months. The longer cure improves flavour complexity and smoothness.
Avoid Plastic Bags: Never cure in plastic bags, as they can trap unwanted moisture and degrade the quality.

Final Notes: Avoiding Issues and Monitoring Plant Health ?

As you move through your grow, keep a close eye on your plants to ensure they remain healthy and stress-free. Cannabis plants, especially autoflowering strains like Zookies, can be sensitive to environmental changes and growing conditions. Below are key points to watch for and tips to address potential issues:

Watch for Light Burn ?

Signs of Light Burn: Yellowing or browning at the tops of the plants, curling leaves, or faded colouring on the uppermost leaves.
Adjust Light Intensity: If you notice signs of stress, reduce the light intensity by 10-20% using the dimmer dial.
Maintain Proper Distance: Ensure the light is at least 35-45 cm (14-18 inches) above the canopy during the flowering stage.

Final Pro Tips for a Successful Grow ?

Keep a Grow Journal: Track light settings, nutrient schedules, and plant responses. This helps identify patterns and fine-tune future grows.
Adjust to Your Plants’ Needs: Every strain is unique. If your plants show stress, respond by adjusting light intensity, watering frequency, or nutrient levels.
Patience is Key: Autoflowers grow quickly, but rushing through the process can reduce yield and quality. Take the time to monitor and care for your plants properly.
Learn and Improve: Each grow is a learning experience. Experiment with techniques and adapt to improve your results each time.

By carefully observing your plants and making adjustments as needed, you’ll be on your way to a healthy and rewarding harvest. Enjoy the process, and happy growing! ??

Growing Zookies Auto Fem Cannabis Seeds: A Complete Guide