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Top 5 Popular Strains in the US
US breeders have created some of the most legendary cannabis strains of all time. But which strains reign supreme in the modern era when it comes to popularity? Discover the 5 most popular strains, from Cali to Maine, and find out why you should grow them, too.
America has become a hotspot for marijuana connoisseurship and stellar genetics. It takes some truly special traits for a strain to become one of the most popular varieties in such a saturated market. Below, you’re going to meet the five most popular cannabis strains in the United States and find out how they perform from germination to harvest. Discover what draws so many growers to them and why you should get these genetics in your garden this season.
Special Queen 1
Special Queen 1 has become one of the most popular weed strains in the United States thanks to her mellow and balanced high and superb productivity. Her relatively brief flowering time also allows her to thrive in a variety of states, from cooler locations in the north to warmer zones in the south. After popping seeds, expect your seedling to reach a height of 5cm at the end of week one. Transplant to the sunniest spot in your garden, and use row covers at the start of the season if you’re in a cool location. Feed and water well, and you can expect your plants to reach a height of 100–150cm by the end of the vegetative phase.
As the seasonal light starts to wane, this photoperiod strain will transition into the flowering stage of the growing cycle. During the first week of bloom, you’ll notice the first pistillate flowers emerge, and your plants will start to stretch, possibly reaching a towering height of 270cm, depending on pot size. An average outdoor temperature of 25°C will promote optimal growth, but remember to keep your plants undercover if you’re in a rainy region to prevent excess humidity in the canopy. You’ll experience a strong smell of terpenes permeating the air as plants reach the middle of bloom. Restrict nutrients to flush during the last two weeks and prepare to harvest up to 550g/plant.
After trimming, drying, and curing your buds, you’ll quickly discover why Special Queen 1 ranks as one of the most common weed strains in the United States. Brace yourself for a long-lasting stoning high alongside delightful flavours and aromas of earth, fruit, and skunk.
Special Queen 1
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Power Bud x Skunk |
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500 - 550 gr/m2 |
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80 - 140 cm |
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8 - 9 weeks |
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THC: 18% |
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Sativa 50% Indica 50% |
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500 - 550 gr/plant |
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200 - 270 cm |
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Late September |
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Long Lasting , Physically Relaxing, Powerful |
Cookies Gelato
As one of the most popular weed strains, Cookies Gelato makes growing ultra-potent weed a straightforward task. Sow seeds into cells and watch sprouts emerge from the soil surface a few days later. After your seedling grows to around 5cm in height at the end of the first week, transplant it outdoors into its final growing location. Cultivate inside a polytunnel in cool areas or directly into the ground in warmer regions. Use a bell cloche during the first week to protect your vulnerable seedling from low temps. Your plants will stand at 17cm after the third week of veg and possess a dense canopy adorned with slim-fingered fan leaves and thick sugar leaves. Defoliate to maintain an open and airy canopy until preflowers start to emerge.
During the first week of bloom, you’ll notice a weak smell start to manifest. At this point, applying a heavy layer of mulch will come in handy, locking in soil moisture. Your plants will stretch during bloom and reach a height of around 180cm if left untrained, but consider staking heavy branches to protect them from strong winds. Get ready to harvest up to 650g/plant during the middle of October.
With a simply astronomical THC content of 28%, Cookies Gelato takes no prisoners. Prepare your body and mind for a deeply stoning effect that will leave you raiding the fridge and then bound to the couch. Tastes of citrus, earth, fruit, and mint make every hit a delight.
Cookies Gelato
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Girl Scout Cookie X Gelato 33 |
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550 - 600 gr/m2 |
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90 - 130 cm |
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8 - 9 weeks |
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THC: 28% |
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Sativa 50% Indica 50% |
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600 - 650 gr/plant |
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140 - 180 cm |
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Middle of October |
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Balanced, Calming, Physically Relaxing |
White Widow
White Widow has cemented herself as one of the most popular strains of weed in the US for numerous reasons, including her status as a classic, muscle-melting high, and moreish savoury flavour. This direct descendant of White Widow S1 boasts an excellent germination rate, and seeds do well when sowed in their final location. Grown in a spot with full sun, you’ll have a stout seedling standing 10cm tall by the end of week two. Thanks to White Widow’s vigour, you’ll appreciate how dense her canopy appears and how turgid her leaves are now. Within just two weeks, your vegging plants will stand at around 35cm and exhibit large, tropical-looking fan leaves.
White Widow’s apical shoot will start to stretch to a height of up to 190cm during bloom. The surrounding flowers will quickly develop into dense, nugget-shaped colas adorned with orange pistils and a generous quantity of shiny white trichomes. Flushing plants during the last two weeks of flowering will result in yellow leaves and exceptionally sticky and aromatic buds ready for processing. Gather your tools and prepare to trim, dry, and cure a yield of 550–600g/plant.
After packing that first sample of your hard work into a joint or bong bowl, you’ll be met by waves of earth, pepper, and pine. Soon after, White Widow’s THC content of 19% will send a stoning high pulsing throughout your body, forcing you to give way to drawn-out moments of bliss and philosophical thought.
White Widow
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White Widow S1 |
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450 - 500 gr/m2 |
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60 - 100 cm |
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8 - 10 weeks |
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THC: 19% |
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Sativa 50% Indica 50% |
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550 - 600 gr/plant |
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150 - 190 cm |
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Early October |
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Powerful , Stoned |
Watermelon
From Cali for New York City, Watermelon has captured the hearts of growers across the United States and has become one of the most popular indica strains in the country. Pair these seeds with mycorrhizal fungi or lactic acid bacteria to experience a swift germination phase that gives rise to healthy and robust seedlings. Standing at 10cm by the end of week two, your plants will have developed a small, bushy canopy and a thick and sturdy stem. This strain stays compact throughout the vegetative stage and won’t exceed 30–40cm if trained with stealth in mind.
Watermelon will, however, stretch toward the sun during bloom, peaking at around 150–200cm if left untrained and no bigger than 100cm if her branches are tied down. You’ll notice her buds thicken and become more resinous as the weeks pass during flowering. Her stunning colours crescendo in the last couple of weeks as her pistils transition from white to amber and her buds take on a striking purple hue.
Get your stash jars ready, step out into the garden, and prepare to pull in up to 500g/plant after a flowering period of 7–8 weeks.
Watermelon
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Watermelon OG S1 |
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450 - 500 gr/m2 |
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80 - 130 cm |
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7 - 8 weeks |
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THC: 22% |
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Sativa 20% Indica 80% |
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450 - 500 gr/plant |
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150 - 200 cm |
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October |
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Calming, Physically Relaxing, Sleepy |
Northern Light
As one of the most legendary cannabis strains out there, it is no surprise that Northern Light has garnered a loyal growership in the United States. This award-winning cultivar boasts 100% indica genetics and speeds through the flowering phase. Directly sow seeds into their final pots, or start them in cells and transplant them if you plan to grow directly in the ground. You’ll have yourself a study 2cm-tall seedling by the end of week one, which will surge to 5cm in week two and up to 100cm by the end of veg if left untrained.
As your plant responds to a change in seasonal sunlight hours, colas will rapidly form in the first weeks of bloom, and your plant will stretch up to 220cm with enough root space. Northern Light puts out large, tall, tapered colas that infuse your garden with scents of citrus and skunk. After a blooming phase of just 8–9 weeks, prepare to harvest 575–625g/plant during late September.
Cure these flowers well, and you’re in for buttery smooth smoke that offers hints of citrus, earth, fruit, and pepper. A THC content of 18% drives a physically stoning high, perfect for chill evenings by the campfire.
Northern Light
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Northern Light S1 |
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500 - 550 gr/m2 |
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100 - 160 cm |
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8 - 9 weeks |
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THC: 18% |
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Sativa 0% Indica 100% |
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575 - 625 gr/plant |
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180 - 220 cm |
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Late September |
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Balanced, Clear, Stoned |
There’s Strains Have Achieved Stardom For A Reason
Countless growers in the United States trust the genetics above and reap the rewards they offer season after season. Select those that appeal the most to you. But know, whichever you opt for, you’re in for an easy growing cycle, bountiful yields, delicious flavours, and soothing highs. God bless American weed!
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