Cherry Moon Pie vs Cherry Pie Auto: Which Cherry Strain Fits Your Grow?
1. Introduction
Cherry Moon Pie and Cherry Pie Auto both build on the popular Cherry Pie lineage, but they offer quite different growing experiences. One is a photoperiod feminized hybrid aimed at growers who want more control; the other is an autoflowering hybrid that prioritises simplicity and speed.
If you are a first-time grower, looking for strong effects, or trying to decide which option might deliver better yields in your situation, comparing these two side by side can make your choice much clearer.
2. Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Cherry Moon Pie | Cherry Pie Auto |
|---|---|---|
| Breeder | Big Buddha Seeds | Royal Queen Seeds |
| Seed Type | Feminized (photoperiod) | Autoflowering (auto) |
| Genetics | Cherry Pie × Bubba Kush | Cherry Pie × Granddaddy Purple Autoflower |
| Type | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Flowering Time | Approx. 8–9 weeks (after flip to 12/12) | Autoflowering lifecycle (no light cycle change needed) |
| Yield | Good | Not specified |
| THC | Strong | Strong (around nineteen percent) |
| Flavour / Aroma | Cherry pie filling with subtle skunky funk | Not specified |
3. Cherry Moon Pie Overview
Cherry Moon Pie from Big Buddha Seeds is a feminized hybrid that combines Cherry Pie with Bubba Kush. As a photoperiod strain, it flowers in about 8–9 weeks once you switch to a 12/12 light cycle indoors. This gives growers the ability to control how long the plant stays in the vegetative stage, which can be useful if you want to shape plant size or run a longer veg for bigger yields.
The breeder describes the yield as “good,” positioning Cherry Moon Pie as a solid option for growers who want a reliable harvest without necessarily chasing extreme production. With a strong THC profile and hybrid genetics, it is suited to users who prioritise potency alongside flavour.
One of the standout features of Cherry Moon Pie is its characterful aroma. It is reminiscent of cherry pie filling with subtle hints of skunky funk, making it especially appealing if you value a dessert-like terpene profile with a classic kushy edge. While specific effects are not listed, the combination of Cherry Pie and Bubba Kush, plus the indication of strong THC, points towards a strain chosen for pronounced, noticeable effects rather than something very mild.
Because Cherry Moon Pie is feminized (not auto), it requires some basic understanding of light cycles. This gives intermediate and ambitious beginners room to learn plant training, veg timing, and canopy management. Those willing to invest a bit more effort in planning their grow may find Cherry Moon Pie the more flexible option.
4. Cherry Pie Auto Overview
Cherry Pie Auto is Royal Queen Seeds’ autoflowering take on the Cherry Pie line, made by crossing Cherry Pie with a Granddaddy Purple autoflower. This hybrid is designed to start flowering automatically, regardless of light schedule, which can significantly simplify the growing process.
As an auto, Cherry Pie Auto does not require a change to a 12/12 light cycle to initiate flowering. This can be beneficial if you are new to growing and prefer a more straightforward approach: you can typically run a single light schedule from seed to harvest, reducing the amount of planning around timing and photoperiod changes.
The breeder describes the THC content as strong, at around nineteen percent. While no detailed breakdown of the effects is provided, this level of potency places Cherry Pie Auto firmly in the category of strains chosen for more intense, noticeable experiences rather than something very gentle. This makes it relevant for buyers explicitly looking for strong effects in an auto format.
Yield and flavour details are not specified for Cherry Pie Auto, so expectations in those areas should be moderate and guided more by general autoflower norms and the Cherry/Granddaddy Purple lineage, rather than exact figures. The main appeal here is convenience: an autoflowering hybrid from a well-known breeder that combines Cherry Pie genetics with the simplicity of automatic flowering.
5. Key Differences
General Comparison
The most fundamental difference between these two strains lies in their growth pattern and control:
- Cherry Moon Pie is a feminized photoperiod hybrid. You decide when to trigger flowering by changing the light cycle, allowing more control over plant size and structure.
- Cherry Pie Auto is an autoflowering hybrid that initiates flowering on its own, making the whole process more hands-off and timing predictable without light cycle adjustments.
Genetically, both strains share Cherry Pie but diverge in their second parent: Bubba Kush in the case of Cherry Moon Pie and Granddaddy Purple Autoflower for Cherry Pie Auto. This means they are likely to express the Cherry line differently, with Cherry Moon Pie leaning into a cherry–skunk dessert profile, and Cherry Pie Auto combining Cherry Pie with a purple auto background (though its aroma and flavour are not detailed).
Which Is Better for Beginners?
For a first-time grower or someone who wants the least complex setup possible, Cherry Pie Auto has a clear advantage:
- Cherry Pie Auto removes the need to manage light cycle changes. You can run one schedule and let the plant decide when to flower, which reduces the chance of timing mistakes. This is particularly useful if you’re growing in a simple tent or multipurpose room.
- Cherry Moon Pie suits beginners who are ready to learn the basics of photoperiod cultivation. You’ll need to monitor plant development and flip to 12/12 when you’re happy with the size. This introduces a small learning curve but also gives you more control and can be more rewarding for those interested in the craft of growing.
In short, if you want ease and minimal decision-making, Cherry Pie Auto is usually the more beginner-friendly choice. If you’re comfortable managing light cycles or eager to learn them, Cherry Moon Pie opens the door to more control over the final plant structure and timing.
Yield Comparison
Yield is an important factor, especially for growers with limited space who want to maximise their harvest.
- Cherry Moon Pie is explicitly described as offering a “good” yield. While no exact grams per square metre are given, this indicates that it is expected to be reasonably productive for a photoperiod hybrid, particularly if given adequate veg time and basic training.
- Cherry Pie Auto does not have specified yield data. As an autoflower, it may not reach the same potential size as a well-managed photoperiod plant that is vegged for longer, but can make up for this with speed and the possibility of multiple runs per year.
If your priority is a single grow with the aim of a solid harvest and you’re willing to manage veg time, Cherry Moon Pie has the clearer yield indication. If your focus is more on quick, simple cycles where yield per individual plant is less important than overall turnaround, Cherry Pie Auto may still suit your goals.
Effects Comparison
Both strains are described as strong in terms of THC, with Cherry Pie Auto specified at about nineteen percent. This places each option in a potency range aimed at users who want noticeable, robust effects.
- Cherry Moon Pie is labelled simply as “strong” THC. Without more detail about the exact cannabinoid profile or reported effect types, it is best approached as a potent hybrid chosen for intensity rather than mildness.
- Cherry Pie Auto also offers strong THC at around nineteen percent, again aimed at users comfortable with more powerful experiences.
Since neither strain has detailed effect descriptions, it’s sensible to decide based on desired potency (strong, in both cases) alongside other factors such as growing style and flavour preferences, rather than on fine distinctions in effect profiles that aren’t documented.
6. Which Should You Choose?
Your choice between Cherry Moon Pie and Cherry Pie Auto will mainly depend on how much control you want over the grow, and how comfortable you are with cultivation tasks.
- Choose Cherry Moon Pie if:
- You want a feminized photoperiod hybrid that you can veg for longer to potentially improve yields.
- You appreciate a distinctive cherry pie dessert aroma with a skunky twist.
- You’re willing to manage light cycles and perhaps experiment with training for a more tailored result.
- Having a “good” yield from a single, well-managed run is more important than maximum simplicity.
- Choose Cherry Pie Auto if:
- You prefer a straightforward, low-maintenance grow without changing light schedules.
- You are a first-time grower who wants to focus on basics like watering and nutrition rather than timing the flowering flip.
- You want strong THC effects in an autoflowering format, with around nineteen percent THC reported by the breeder.
- Fast, predictable cycles matter more to you than fine-tuning yield through long veg times.
7. Final Thoughts
Both Cherry Moon Pie and Cherry Pie Auto offer strong Cherry-based hybrid genetics, but they cater to different growers. Cherry Moon Pie is the better fit if you want to work with a photoperiod feminized strain that promises good yields and a defined cherry–skunk flavour profile. Cherry Pie Auto, on the other hand, is ideal if you prioritise ease of cultivation, automatic flowering, and strong THC in a simple, beginner-friendly package.
By weighing your comfort level with growing, your space, and how much control you want over the plants, you can confidently select the cherry strain that best matches your goals.
