A strain that deserves its name – a massive harvest and massive therapeutic benefits.
Crossbreeding Afghani and Skunk #1 resulted in the emergence of Big Bud. Years of experimentation and curation created a phenotype called Critical Mass.
This explains why these two varietals are often placed in the same category and sometimes even thought to be exactly the same. However, Critical Mass is arguably better because of its high levels of THC and CBD, making it a favorite within the medical marijuana community.
As the name implies, this strain’s bud output is massive, placing it among the Top 10 Highest Yielders of all time. Its humongous flowers, emitting a skunky and citrusy aroma with a dollop of sweet honey, are so heavy that they can sometimes break the branches. Smoking them will release a delightfully lip-smacking flavor, blending fruit and sugar and cookies. It’s very rare for anyone to say that they don’t love the taste.
As an Indica-dominant strain, it provides mood-boosting benefits to users before getting them ready for bed. With 22% THC and 5% CBD, it can relieve stress, anxiety, and pain. These effects led to it winning first place at the Spannabis Cannabis Champions Cup in 2009.
This strain is generally easy to grow and is available as regular, feminized, and autoflowering seeds to suit any experience level. The main concern is to keep the stems from bending and snapping from the weight of the astonishingly large blooms, but that’s a great problem for any grower to have.
| Feminized & Regular | Autoflower | |
|---|---|---|
| Genotype | Genotype80% Indica / 20% Sativa | Genotype80% Indica / 20% Sativa +Ruderalis |
| Lineage | LineageAfghani x Skunk #1 | LineageAfghani x Skunk #1 x Ruderalis |
| THC | THCUp to 22% | THCUp to 20% |
| CBD | CBD5% | CBD3% |
| Indoor Flowering / Yield | Indoor Flowering / Yield8 to 10Weeks / 600g/m² | Indoor Flowering / Yield10 to 12 weeks / 300 to 400 g/m² |
| Outdoor Harvest Time / Yield | Outdoor Harvest Time / YieldMid-September / 750 g/plant | Outdoor Harvest Time / YieldJuly to September / 100 g/plant |
| Recommended To | Recommended ToBeginner / Intermediate | Recommended ToBeginner |
Critical Mass is so uncomplicated that even novice growers can have a go with it. The medium to large plant will usually end up producing an enormous yield, no matter what the environmental conditions are like or how much care you put into it. Like its close relation to Big Bud, it needs a supporting structure like stakes or a trellis to keep it upright. As the plant matures, the pale green nugs covered with orange pistils and thick resin will become so heavy that the branches might snap.
Critical Mass photoperiod plants have a medium reach, combined with lateral growth and lush, dense foliage. With a few gardening techniques, it will develop into a beautiful specimen that will make any grower proud. Indoors, keep the temperature within the 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) range, and maintain the humidity level at 45 to 55%. The reason for these stringent guidelines is because the leaves are so thick and the buds are so dense that they invite excess moisture.
Consequently, the best growing medium may not be hydroponics. It’s still possible if you want to encourage vigorous growth by delivering nutrients directly to the roots through water instead of soil, but make sure to monitor the relative humidity often. Nonetheless, organic soil mixed with coco coir is more suitable. Under optimal conditions, you can expect a yield of at least 600 grams (21 ounces) after 8 to 10 weeks of flowering.
You could also grow this strain outdoors as long as you live in a location with Mediterranean-like weather. As much as possible, set the plant under direct sunlight. Keep the area dry to prevent mold and mildew infestations; a constant light breeze will help. If all goes well, each 160-cm plant (about 5 feet tall) will generate around 750 grams (27 ounces) of gigantic buds.
Feminized seeds are the easiest option for novices. Virtually 100% of the plants will be female, so they’ll produce the highest possible yield. In contrast, regular seeds require more time and effort because they have a 50/50 chance of sprouting female and male plants. You have to identify and separate the males as early as possible so that they don’t contaminate the flowers.
Autoflowering Critical Mass is even easier to grow than its photoperiod cousin. With the infusion of Ruderalis genes, it is smaller, stronger, and matures more quickly. Its biggest advantage is it doesn’t require a change in the light cycle to know that it’s time to start the flowering stage. This varietal will bloom on its own according to its internal clock.
It has a brief life span, so it’s best just to feed it properly and then leave it alone to do its thing. Training or topping are discouraged as these techniques could stunt the growth or even kill the plant. It won’t have time to recover from the stress. If you want to increase the yield, use a Sea of Green (SOG) setup indoors. It will only take 10 to 12 weeks (from seed to harvest) to achieve a yield of 300 to 400 grams (10 to 14 ounces) per square meter.
Outdoor propagation is also suitable for Auto Critical Mass because of its manageable size (90 to 140 cm/3 to 4.5 feet) and hardiness against pests and occasional bad weather. Each plant can generate 100grams (3.5 ounces) of usable weed – not a lot, but you can have perpetual harvests if you plan things right.
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