Eyes on the prize!

YES! We are post–award ceremony lit. People were walking around with a "plants all over me” kind of glow.

But here’s the thing: even in that beautiful chaos, the pro eye was sharp. The judging conversations were not random hype. They were consistent themes, repeated across judges with wildly different palates and backgrounds: modern autoflowers are stable, competitive, and in many cases indistinguishable from photoperiods for the average consumer.

That was one of the loudest takeaways from the interviews we filmed. Award-winning journalist David Downs, described the judging like an influencer-house time portal: 75 flowers in three days, plus 19 hash entries.

His biggest “wait, hold up” moment was the concentrates. He called hash the game changer, pointing out that people have probably dabbed autos already and never known it.

When asked if a regular customer would spot the difference in a jar with good marketing, his answer was basically: your $5–$10 preroll smoker is getting fooled, and even mid-shelf customers in the $30–$40 range probably won’t know either. That’s not a diss to consumers. That’s a reality check on how far autos have come.

Danny Danko, who’s judged more cannabis cups than most people have eaten breakfasts, echoed the same thing with that calm, “I’ve seen everything” certainty.

For him, the standout difference wasn’t “auto vs photo” in the old-school sense, it was the sheer potential of concentrates from autos and how quickly the stigma collapses when the product is undeniably good. His take was clear: among the winners in both flower and hash, most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Terps don’t lie. Experience does.

Even if yields can vary, the speed and variety are serious tools. And if you’re still thinking “autos are small,” judges and growers basically laughed that out of the room in 2026.

We also heard it from growers who live in the trenches. Maxwell Farms talked about the farmer-side advantage: a more perpetual cycle, quicker turnaround, and fresh flavors constantly rotating. That’s not just a grower flex. That’s a commercial argument. When you can go seed-to-harvest in about 70–75 days, the math gets interesting for anyone who runs production. 

A huge shout out to Stefan, who brought something we care about deeply into the conversation: the mental health panel work and the idea that growing isn’t only about plants. This year, judging itself became more community-forward.

The “assembly line” system made the process faster, more communicative, and honestly more educational in real time. Instead of everyone isolating with their own notes, the room became a learning ecosystem. Different palates, some disagreements, but a shared goal: vote better, together. That’s exactly the kind of evolution we want in the Cup.

Now, let’s talk results, without turning this into a boring spreadsheet. The categories told a story.

Visual excellence went to Dawg Snacks by Alebrije Genetics (Sample 29), grown by Jeremy Summers, taking Best Look Auto. Pure bag appeal meets craft.

Terpene crown went to The Cheese by Twenty20 Mendocino (Sample 20), also grown by Jeremy Summers, earning Best Terps Auto. If you’re wondering whether autoflowers can carry loud, complex profiles, that trophy answered it for you.

Smoke quality mattered hard this year, and Garlic Jam by Atlas Seed (Sample 75), grown by Emmanuel Carter, took Best Smoking Auto and also landed 2nd Place Best Overall Auto. That kind of repeat placement is what consistency looks like.

Rosin was a headline on its own. 3rd Place Best Rosin went to CommandOZ by Mephisto Genetics (Sample 87) from Innapropriately Large.

2nd Place went to Hella Jelly Auto by Humboldt Seed Company (Sample 99), washed by Case DeJong, who openly said it was his first time washing autos and he didn’t expect that level of terp and potency.

Then 1st Place Best Rosin went to Apricot Auto by 420 Fast Buds (Sample 85), processed by James Ziegler, adding to a year where Apricot was basically stamping passports internationally.

And then came the lab number that made everyone blink twice: Highest THC Auto 2026 was 505 Headbanger by Mephisto Genetics (Sample 13) grown by Farmer HatBeard, testing at 33.88%. Nearly 34%. Autoflower.

The funniest part of that interview was the honesty: he didn’t think it would be the one to win because it didn’t “look fantastic,” but the taste and knockout effect carried it. Also, he ran it simple: soil, dry amendments, water-only. No wizardry, just dialed practice.

The biggest moment of the night, though, was the top podium for Best Overall Auto. 3rd Place: Pound Cake Auto by 420 Fast Buds (Sample 68) grown by James Ziegler.

2nd Place: the already-mentioned Garlic Jam by Atlas Seeds (Sample 75) from Emmanuel Carter.

1st Place Best Overall Auto went to West Coast Whistle by Night Owl Seeds (Sample 17) grown by Kush Cat Grow, who summed up the entire Cup’s philosophy in one line: good weed is good weed, auto or photo. He even joked that the average consumer can’t tell, because he’s literally watched friends and family choose autos as favorites without knowing what they were.

And the public made its voice loud: Best Autoflower Breeder 2026 (Public Vote) went to 420 Fast Buds with 1,524 votes. That’s not a panel decision. That’s community data.

Now, the announcements we promised, because humans love merch almost as much as they love terp talk: we heard you. If you didn’t make it to the event or didn’t manage to grab merch in time, we’re going to organize giveaways soon. Follow us on all social media channels and make sure you’re in the Discord, because that’s where the community lives and where the drops will actually reach real growers and fans.

Also: thank you, Adam Ill, for always spicing things up. Hosting, interviewing, keeping the energy sharp and the conversations real. And Jeremy Norrie… chapeau. The curation, the categories, the structure, the heart. Brilliant. The Cup gets better because the foundation is built with intention.

This blog is the bird’s-eye view. Next, we go deep. We’re posting detailed winner features, one by one, with the genetics, the grow approach, the standout notes, and the full story behind each trophy. We’ve built this Cup to be both celebration and record. A living timeline of autoflower progress.

And yes, we’re already looking ahead. The 5th edition is calling. It’s going to come with charm, for sure!

If you want the full archive: all competition winners from all four editions are available on our website.