Royal Cheese Auto vs Royal Cheese FAST Version: Which Is Right for You?

1. Introduction

Royal Queen Seeds offers two distinct takes on the classic Cheese experience: Royal Cheese Auto and Royal Cheese FAST Version. Both are hybrids built for growers who enjoy pungent, skunky profiles and solid performance, but they differ in how they grow, their seed type, and their likely impact in terms of strength and cultivation style.

If you are a first-time grower, a buyer comparing strains before purchase, or someone looking for a strong, high-yielding option, understanding how these two versions of Cheese differ will help you choose more confidently. This comparison focuses on general differences, beginner-friendliness, yield considerations, and how their effects may compare based on the available data.

2. Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Royal Cheese Auto	Royal Cheese FAST Version
Breeder	Royal Queen Seeds	Royal Queen Seeds
Seed Type	Autoflowering	Feminized (photoperiod)
Genetics	Cheese × Royal Critical × ruderalis	Skunk × Afghan
Plant Type	Hybrid	Hybrid
Flowering	Autoflowering (no light cycle change needed)	Photoperiod (fast version; light cycle control required)
Yield	Good	Not specified
THC	Average	Strong
Flavour / Aroma	Strong, pungent taste and smell	Not specified

3. Royal Cheese Auto Overview

Royal Cheese Auto is an autoflowering hybrid developed by crossing Cheese with Royal Critical and a ruderalis line. The ruderalis influence is what makes it autoflower, meaning it switches from vegetative growth to flowering based on age rather than changes in light cycle. This is often attractive to beginners or growers who want a straightforward schedule.

Royal Cheese Auto is described as having a good yield, which, in autoflower terms, suggests it aims to balance ease of cultivation with reasonable productivity. While exact gram-per-square-metre data is not provided, growers can expect it to offer respectable output for an automatic strain, especially compared with older or less optimised autos.

One of the defining traits of Royal Cheese Auto is its strong, pungent taste and aroma. Coming from Cheese and Royal Critical genetics, it leans into that classic, skunky, “old-school” profile. This makes it suitable for users who actively enjoy powerful scents and flavours, and less ideal if odour control is a concern.

THC levels are described as average. This positions Royal Cheese Auto as a middle-of-the-road option in terms of potency: not the most intense choice available, but not particularly mild either. For newcomers, this can be an advantage, as it offers room to explore the Cheese family without jumping straight into very strong effects.

As an autoflowering hybrid with good yield and average THC, Royal Cheese Auto is typically suited to:

• First-time growers who want a simple light schedule.
• Growers with limited space or shorter seasons who appreciate the autoflowering trait.
• Users who enjoy a pronounced, pungent flavour and aroma.
• Those who prefer moderate potency over very strong effects.

4. Royal Cheese FAST Version Overview

The Royal Cheese FAST Version is a feminized, fast-flowering hybrid from Royal Queen Seeds, created by crossing Skunk with Afghan. Unlike the automatic version, this is a photoperiod strain: it requires a change in light cycle (for example, 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness indoors) to trigger flowering.

Being labelled a “FAST Version” generally indicates that the flowering period is shorter than that of standard photoperiod strains. While the exact flowering time and yield are not specified, fast photoperiod varieties are usually designed to finish more quickly than typical feminized plants, helping growers harvest sooner while retaining photoperiod-style performance.

The genetic base of Skunk crossed with Afghan suggests a different heritage from the Cheese/Royal Critical/ruderalis background of Royal Cheese Auto, even though both sit within the broader hybrid category. This can influence structure, smell, and overall profile, though specific flavour and aroma details are not provided for this fast version.

A key point is the THC description: “Strong.” Compared with the average THC of Royal Cheese Auto, the fast version is positioned as the more powerful option. For users seeking intense effects, this is the primary distinguishing factor.

Because it is a feminized photoperiod strain, the Royal Cheese FAST Version is often better suited to growers who:

• Are comfortable managing light cycles, especially indoors.
• Want the faster finish of a fast photoperiod but do not need the full convenience of an autoflower.
• Prioritise strong THC levels for more pronounced effects.
• Have some basic experience or are willing to learn more about plant training and timing.

5. Key Differences

General Comparison

At a glance, both Royal Cheese Auto and Royal Cheese FAST Version come from Royal Queen Seeds, fall into the hybrid category, and are meant to deliver a robust, skunky-style experience. The main distinctions lie in seed type, genetic background, THC strength, and how the plants are managed in the grow room.

Royal Cheese Auto is an autoflowering hybrid involving Cheese, Royal Critical, and ruderalis, with an emphasis on convenience and a good yield. The FAST Version is a feminized photoperiod strain derived from Skunk and Afghan, focusing on strong THC and quicker-than-normal flowering, though it still relies on controlled light cycles.

Which Is Better for Beginners?

For most first-time growers, Royal Cheese Auto will typically be more accessible. As an autoflowering strain, it removes the need to change light schedules to induce flowering, simplifying the entire process. You can generally keep a single, consistent light cycle from start to finish, which reduces timing mistakes and the need for detailed planning.

The average THC level also makes Royal Cheese Auto a gentler introduction to the Cheese family for users who are still working out their preferences regarding potency. The good yield rating indicates that even without advanced skills, beginners can still expect decent results.

The Royal Cheese FAST Version may appeal to ambitious beginners who are ready to engage with light cycle management, but it demands more attention and planning. Combined with its strong THC, it is usually better suited to growers and users who already know they want a more intense experience and are comfortable taking on a slightly steeper learning curve.

Yield Comparison

Only Royal Cheese Auto is explicitly described as offering a “good” yield. While no exact figures are provided, this suggests that for an autoflower, it aims to deliver respectable productivity relative to its size and lifespan. Autos are often chosen when growers want a balance of speed, simplicity, and reasonable harvests.

For the Royal Cheese FAST Version, no specific yield information is given. Fast photoperiod strains are typically designed to finish quickly without sacrificing too much productivity, but in this case we cannot draw a firm conclusion about yield from the available data. If maximising yield is your main goal, it may be useful to look at grow reports or additional breeder information for this specific fast version, as the product description alone does not quantify its performance.

In practical terms, a new grower looking for predictable results from the description alone might lean toward Royal Cheese Auto, since its yield is at least characterised, whereas the fast version’s yield remains unspecified here.

Effects Comparison

Neither product description lists detailed effect profiles (such as relaxing, uplifting, or otherwise). However, the THC strength information gives a broad indication of how they may compare:

• Royal Cheese Auto: Average THC – likely to provide moderate effects that are noticeable but not overwhelmingly strong for many users.
• Royal Cheese FAST Version: Strong THC – intended for users who prefer more intense effects and higher overall potency.

For someone specifically looking for strong effects, the Royal Cheese FAST Version is the more targeted choice based on the THC description alone. In contrast, those who prefer a more measured experience or who are still exploring their tolerance levels may find Royal Cheese Auto more suitable.

6. Which Should You Choose?

Your decision between Royal Cheese Auto and Royal Cheese FAST Version should be based on how much experience you have, how strong you want the effects to be, and how you prefer to manage your grow.

• Choose Royal Cheese Auto if:
  • You are a first-time or relatively new grower.
  • You want an autoflower that does not need light cycle changes.
  • A good, reliable yield from a simple grow is your priority.
  • You like strong, pungent aromas and flavours but do not require maximum THC.
  • You prefer moderate effects rather than a very intense experience.
• Choose Royal Cheese FAST Version if:
  • You can manage (or are willing to learn) photoperiod light schedules.
  • You want a faster-than-normal feminized strain.
  • Strong THC and more powerful effects are high on your wish list.
  • You are comfortable with a slightly more involved grow in exchange for that potency.

7. Final Thoughts

Royal Cheese Auto and Royal Cheese FAST Version both deliver a hybrid take on the classic skunky lineage from Royal Queen Seeds, but they serve different types of growers and users. The auto version emphasises ease of cultivation, a good yield, and average THC, making it a solid entry point for beginners and those who value straightforward grows. The fast feminized version, by contrast, targets those who are ready to manage photoperiod plants and want stronger THC levels and a quicker finish than standard seeds.

By weighing your experience level, desired potency, and how hands-on you want to be with your grow, you can confidently choose the Royal Cheese variety that best fits your needs and expectations.