Autoflower Switching Technique (AST) or The Green Switch 

AST—or the Green Switch—is a simple, one-moment intervention that rewrites everything you thought you knew about autoflowers. By pausing the plant’s internal clock at the perfect point in its life-cycle, AST unlocks weeks of extra vegetative growth, thicker stems, and—most shockingly—viable clones, all while keeping the speed and hardiness autos are loved for.

Why growers love the Switch

  • Bigger harvests, same space – A longer veg stage builds a sturdier frame packed with flower sites.

  • Clone the “uncloneable” – The pause re-opens the vegetative window so you can take cuttings and preserve elite phenos.

  • Planet-friendly gains – More grams per watt and the freedom to finish outdoors shrink costs and carbon footprints.

  • Works on any true auto – From CBD cultivars to high-THC powerhouses, growers worldwide report the same dramatic gains once they master Green switch.

What is the Green Switch?

A Hidden Effect: Super Hybrid Vigor

One of the most surprising outcomes of the Green switch is the appearance of super hybrid traits.

Growers have consistently observed that plants Green switched  with  show:
- Faster root growth
- Stronger branching
- Denser flowers
- Increased aroma and trichome production

We’re calling this the Super Plant Effect — and it’s currently under scientific review.

The research is led by Daniel Hübner at Humboldt University, who is analyzing Green-switched plants for cannabinoid profiles, stress tolerance, and growth patterns.

All findings will be published in our upcoming research book and integrated into GAIA to guide future growers.

The Autoflower Switching Technique (The Green Switch) a natural method that extends the vegetative stage of autoflowering cannabis. This gives growers the ability to clone, train, and shape autoflowers like photoperiods—without chemicals, timers, or stress techniques.

The Green Switch works by guiding the plant through light rhythm and environmental awareness, not force. It allows:

- Cloning from seed-grown autoflowers
- Shaping plants structurally (topping, LST)
- Synchronizing bloom across a full grow tent
- Cleaner growth in indoor, greenhouse, or outdoor setups

With the green switch, autoflowers go from one-shot plants to fully trainable super plants.”

Bonus: Many switched plants express traits like super F1 hybrids — more vigor, aroma, and resilience. These effects are now under scientific research.

Deep Dive – What Makes the Green switch Revolutionary

From One-Shot to Semi-Photoperiod: The Real Power of AST

The Autoflower Switching Technique (AST) is more than just a trick—it's a transformation.
AST extends the vegetative stage of autoflowers, allowing growers to pause development, clone the plant, and train its structure—just like with photoperiod strains.

But AST doesn’t change the plant with chemicals or stress. It works by observing the plant's natural bio-rhythms—specifically how light, recovery, and subtle environmental cues affect internal timing.

With AST, autoflowers gain:

A longer growth phase (before they bloom)

The ability to recover and branch

Timing flexibility for growers

Clonability—especially in stabilized or F1 hybrid lines


Remarkably, AST-treated plants often express "super hybrid" vigor—showing stronger growth, resilience, and terpene production.
This is a phenomenon still under scientific investigation.