Hey, fellow cultivator! Are you looking for a strain that delivers legendary power and quality but doesn’t make you wait forever? Well, you’ve hit the jackpot. AK-47 Fast Version takes the world-famous, award-winning genetics of the classic AK-47 and puts the harvest on hyperdrive. This is all about getting those dense, frosty, and potent buds into your jars faster than ever.
This is the perfect strain for the grower who values both quality AND efficiency. It delivers a beautifully balanced high, uplifting and happy, yet relaxing, that has made it a favorite in our community for years. As your Seed Hero, I’m here to educate you on how to nurture this high-speed beauty and make your homegrown crop an absolute success. Let’s do this!
Recommended Strains
AK 47 Fast Version
THC: 19% - 22%
Type of seed: Fast Flowering
Phenotype: Mostly Sativa
Day to flower: 8 - 10 weeks
AK 47
- THC: 16% - 19%
- Type of seed: Feminized
- Phenotype: Mostly Sativa
- Day to flower: 8 - 10 weeks
From Seed to Speedy Harvest: A Complete Grow-Along
This plant is famously robust and forgiving, and the “Fast Version” makes it even more appealing. Let’s break down its entire life cycle, step by step.
1. Germination: Firing the First Shot
It all starts with a healthy seed. My go-to method for waking them up is the simple and reliable paper towel technique.
- Soak: Give your seeds a 12-24 hour soak in a glass of room-temperature water. This tells them it’s time to get to work.
- Wrap: Place the seeds between two damp (not sopping wet!) paper towels.
- Keep it Warm & Dark: Put your paper towel package inside a Ziploc bag or between two plates to create a perfect germination environment.
- Sprout!: In just 24-72 hours, you’ll see a tiny white taproot emerge. Success! Carefully plant it about a half-inch deep in your starter pot, with the root pointing down.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Planting too deep. A tiny seedling doesn’t have the energy to push through a mountain of soil. A half-inch is all you need.
2. The Vegetative Stage: Building a Strong, Compact Frame
During veg, your plant is building its structure. AK-47 is known for growing into a sturdy, medium-sized plant, so the focus here is on creating a strong frame.
- Light It Up: Give your plants a solid 18/6 light cycle (18 hours of light, 6 of darkness). This long “day” promotes strong, bushy growth.
- Nutrient Needs: Your plant needs a good, balanced fertilizer with plenty of Nitrogen (N) during this stage to fuel the growth of all those leaves and branches.
- Light Training: While it’s not a massive stretcher, some light Low-Stress Training (LST) can work wonders. Gently bending and tying down the main stem will encourage the side branches to grow up, creating multiple main colas and a much bigger final yield.
3. The Flowering Stage: A Rapid Explosion of Buds
This is where the “Fast Version” really shines. To trigger flowering, you MUST switch your lights to a strict 12/12 cycle (12 hours of light, 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness).
Get ready for an incredible and QUICK transformation. This plant explodes into bud production. The flowering time is a ridiculously fast 7-8 weeks! You’ll see dense, resin-caked buds forming all over the plant, giving off that classic spicy, sweet, and slightly floral AK-47 aroma.
When you flip your lights, switch to a “bloom” fertilizer that is higher in Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) to support this rapid flower development.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Nutrient Burn. This strain can be a bit sensitive to overfeeding. It’s always better to give a little less than a little too much. Watch the tips of the leaves, if they start to yellow or curl, back off the nutrients a bit.
Promos & Deals
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Where to Grow This Speedy Strain
AK-47 Fast Version is highly adaptable, making it a star performer in almost any environment.
Growing Indoors This strain is practically tailor-made for indoor cultivation.
- Height: It’s a very manageable plant, typically staying between 2.6 to 4 feet (80-120 cm) tall. This makes it absolutely perfect for grow tents or rooms where vertical space is a premium.
- Airflow is Your Friend: The buds get seriously dense, so good air circulation from an oscillating fan is critical to prevent moisture from getting trapped and causing problems.
Growing Outdoors The “Fast Version” aspect is a massive advantage for outdoor growers.
- Height Potential: Outdoors, it can stretch a bit more, reaching up to 5.6 feet (170 cm), but it remains a very manageable and discreet plant.
Best Climates & Cities (USA): It loves temperate, sunny weather. The fast flowering time means it’s also a fantastic choice for regions with shorter summers!
- California (San Francisco): The mild, Mediterranean climate is perfect.
- Oregon (Portland): You can easily finish your harvest before the heavy autumn rains arrive, which is a huge bonus.
- Colorado (Denver): The intense sun and dry air will help this plant produce tons of resin and keep mold at bay.
Pro-Level Playbook: Cloning and Extractions
Cloning: Lock and Load Another Round
Find a plant that has that perfect balanced high? Don’t let those amazing genetics go, clone them!
- Select & Snip: Choose a healthy lower branch from a mother plant in its vegetative stage. Make a clean, 45-degree cut with a sterile blade.
- Hormone Dip: Immediately dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to inspire fast root development.
- Plant It: Place the cutting into a moist starter cube, like Rockwool.
- Keep It Humid: Cover your clones with a humidity dome to keep them happy until they can grow their own roots.
- Ready to Go: In 10-14 days, you’ll have a new, rooted plant that’s a perfect genetic copy of your favorite!
What to Do With Your Trim? Get Creative!
A sustainable grower knows that every part of the plant is valuable. The frosty trim from AK-47 is perfect for making classic cannabis products.
- Cannabutter/Oils: Its balanced effects make it a fantastic choice for edibles. Infusing your trim into butter or coconut oil is a simple and effective way to make delicious and potent treats.
- Classic Hash: Given its Afghani heritage and resinous nature, this strain is great for making traditional dry sift or bubble hash.
The Grand Finale: Harvest, Dry & Cure
You made it to the finish line, and faster than most! To know when it’s time to harvest, get a jeweler’s loupe and look at the trichomes on the buds. When they are mostly cloudy-white with about 10% amber, you’ve hit the sweet spot for a balanced high.
- The Chop: Cut your plants and trim away the large fan leaves.
- The Slow Dry: Hang the branches in a dark room with good airflow, a temperature around 60-70°F (15-21°C), and humidity at about 50-55%. This should take 7-14 days.
- The Cure for Quality: This is the final step that makes all the difference. Trim the buds and place them in airtight glass jars. “Burp” the jars daily for the first couple of weeks. A proper cure will bring out that amazing sweet and spicy flavor profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called “AK-47”? Is it intense?
The name is a nod to its “one-hit wonder” effect, not aggression! It’s famously a very happy, mellow, and creative high. It’s potent, for sure, but it’s a feel-good potency that has won it countless awards and the love of our entire cannabis community.
What is the main benefit of the “Fast Version”?
Speed! You get all the quality, potency, and classic effects of the original AK-47, but with a flowering time that’s several weeks shorter. This means a quicker harvest, which is great for impatient growers and essential for those in climates with short summers.
Is this a good strain for beginners?
Yes, it’s an excellent choice. It’s resilient, doesn’t grow too tall, and its fast flowering time means there’s less time for things to go wrong. It’s a great way to innovate your first few grows and get a high-quality harvest.
What are the effects like?
It’s a beautifully balanced hybrid. You’ll feel an initial uplifting, cerebral, and creative buzz that makes you want to listen to music or chat with friends, followed by a gentle, long-lasting body relaxation that melts away stress without putting you to sleep.
How big of a yield can I expect from this fast-flowering plant?
Don’t let the speed fool you, this plant is a generous producer! With good care and some light training, you can expect a very satisfying yield of dense, high-quality buds. It’s the perfect combination of speed and quantity.
