BF Super Auto #1: The Invisible Engine
BF Super Auto #1: The Invisible Engine
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Breeding Stock (Hybridized Ruderalis)
Breeder: Barney’s Farm (Proprietary Selection)
Lineage: High-Performance Ruderalis x Indica Genetics (Likely Skunk #1 or Afghan ancestry)
Market Status: The "Foundation"; BF Super Auto #1 is the genetic backbone of Barney’s Farm's "Indica" autoflowering line. While the "Super Magnum" is used for their giant Sativas, BF Super Auto #1 is the tool used for their compact, fast-finishing strains like Pineapple Express Auto and Critical Kush Auto. It was developed to solve the "Lowryder Problem"—early autos were tiny and weak. This breeding father was created to ensure that even short autoflowers could produce dense, resinous buds and finish in under 65 days.
THC Content: 14% – 18% (Moderate & Stable)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
Key Effects: Relaxing, Functional, Stress-Free, Mild Sedation
When you grow a Pineapple Express Auto and marvel at how dense and chunky the buds are, you are thanking the mother (Pineapple Chunk). But when you marvel at how the plant survived a cold snap and finished in 60 days flat, you are thanking the father: BF Super Auto #1.
This plant is the "offensive lineman" of the operation. It doesn't get the glory, but it does the dirty work. It provides the pest resistance, the cold hardiness, and the automatic timer that makes the harvest possible.
History and Lineage: Stabilizing the Auto
In the early days of autoflowers, breeders struggled with "Ruderalis Dominance." The plants would autoflower, but they tasted like hemp and yielded like weeds.
The Goal: Barney’s Farm needed a breeding male that carried the Autoflowering gene (recessive) but didn't ruin the flavor of their prize-winning mothers.
The Selection: They spent years crossing wild Ruderalis (from Russia/Kazakhstan) with high-yield Indicas (likely Skunk or Afghan lines).
The Result: They isolated a phenotype that was short, incredibly fast, and crucially, neutral in flavor. BF Super Auto #1 acts as a "Blank Canvas," allowing the terpenes of the mother plant to shine through while providing the robust structure of a tank.
Terpene Profile: The Earthy Base
Because it is a breeding tool, its flavor profile is designed to be foundational, not overpowering.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Earth): The dominant note. It provides a standard musky, damp soil aroma common in rugged Indicas.
Caryophyllene (The Pepper): Adds a subtle spicy kick that contributes to pest resistance (insects hate spicy terpenes).
Pinene (The Green): A background note of fresh herbs.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It smells of wet garden soil, moss, and mild spice.
The Smoke: Smooth but generic. It tastes of earth and herbs. This neutrality is perfect because it doesn't clash with fruity or cheesy mothers.
Strain Effects: The Functional Relaxer
If you were to smoke pure BF Super Auto #1, you would experience a classic, mild Indica stone.
The Experience
The Calm: It is not psychoactively overwhelming. It provides a gentle sense of calm.
The Body: A mild physical relaxation sets in. It is not a "couch-lock," but rather a loosening of tension.
The Functionality: Because the THC is moderate, it leaves the user clear-headed.
The Utility: In breeding, this moderate potency ensures that the super-high THC of the mother plant (e.g., 25%) is brought down to a more manageable, social level (e.g., 18-20%).
Best For: Breeding projects, testing genetics, and mild daytime relaxation.
Growing BF Super Auto #1: The 60-Day Tank
This is the trait that defines the line. This plant is built for speed and survival.
Growth Structure
The Speed: It is incredibly fast. It passes on the 60-65 day seed-to-harvest cycle to its offspring.
The Structure: It grows Short and Stocky (Indica). It focuses energy on a main central cola with tight side branching. This is why Pineapple Express Auto stays so compact.
The Hardiness: It is practically immune to cold stress. Its Ruderalis ancestors evolved in Siberia, so it passes on the ability to flower even when temperatures drop.
The Trigger: It is fully photoperiod independent. It will flower under 24 hours of light, 12 hours, or even 8 hours.
Grower’s Tip: The main value of this genetic line is its stress resistance. Autos derived from BF Super Auto #1 are excellent choices for beginner growers who might make mistakes with watering or nutrients. The "Super Auto" genetics provide a safety buffer that delicate photoperiods lack.
Final Verdict: The Genetic Anchor
BF Super Auto #1 is the unsung hero of the Barney’s Farm catalog. It is the reason their Indica autos are considered some of the most reliable on the market. It takes the volatility of exotic strains and anchors them with a root system that is fast, tough, and reliable. While you won't see it on the shelf, every time you harvest a compact, dense auto in under 9 weeks, you are seeing the Super Auto #1 at work.
You should choose strains with BF Super Auto #1 lineage if:
You have Limited Height (Small tents).
You are a Beginner (High resistance).
You want Fast Harvests (60-65 days).
You live in Cold Climates.
Score: 8.8/10 (The Reliable Father)