mcflowanswered grow question a year ago It's generally okay to germinate automatic seeds in water, but given the information you've come across from RQS (Royal Queen Seeds), they might be suggesting that germinating in the final pot could reduce stress during the transplanting process for autoflowers.
If you've already started the germination process in water, it's fine to continue. However, if you haven't yet planted the seed and you have the option to do so directly in its final pot, it could be a good practice for autoflowers.
Transplanting can be a bit more stressful for autoflowers compared to photoperiod plants, so minimizing handling can be beneficial. If your seed is already in water, proceed with care when transferring it to the soil to avoid damaging the delicate root.
In the future, if you plan to germinate autoflower seeds, consider placing them directly into their final pots to avoid the need for transplantation later on. This can potentially lead to a smoother and less stressful growth process for autoflowers.