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Big Bud and Critical Mass Strains Cannabis Seeds
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Big Bud and Critical Mass are two names that keep cropping up when people talk about seriously heavy-hitting indica plants. They're basically family, Critical Mass is the newer, tweaked version of the old-school Big Bud.
Back in the 1980s, Big Bud made its way from the States over to the Netherlands, where it became a legend for producing absolutely massive, rock-solid buds.
Then breeders got their hands on it, crossed it with Skunk #1, and out came Critical Mass, same huge yields, but with a bit more punch and a stronger backbone. Both have become go-to choices for seed banks and breeders all over the world.
Read MoreWhat they smell and taste like
Critical Mass has a really bold smell. There’s sweet, punchy notes with loads of citrus, think lemon and orange, mixed with earthy, skunky undertones.
Some people pick up hints of bubble gum, a bit of spice, even a touch of berry or garlic depending on the batch. It's the kind of aroma that sticks around and makes an impression.
Big Bud's a bit more old-school. It's got that classic sweet hash smell that’s expected from a pure Afghani, with spicy, grape-like notes that come through when up close.
It's smooth and familiar, like a throwback to the early days of cannabis breeding.
When it comes to flavour, Critical Mass leans heavier on the earthy, woody side than the smell might suggest. You still get that sweetness and a bit of skunk, but there's more depth, bubble gum and hash notes from the Afghan side, with a citrusy brightness from the Skunk.
The terpene doing most of the work is myrcene, which gives it that mellow, earthy vibe, backed up by caryophyllene for a bit of spice, plus limonene, ocimene, and pinene rounding things out.
Strength and which breeder to pick
Critical Mass usually comes in around 19% to 22% THC, though some batches have tested as high as 24%. CBD's normally pretty low, less than 0.1%, but there are versions bred specifically for CBD that hit 5% or more.
The balanced CBD Critical Mass sits at a 1:1 ratio, with both THC and CBD landing somewhere between 5% and 10%. Big Bud's also known for high THC, though the exact numbers depend on which version you're looking at.
If you're after Big Bud seeds, Sensi Seeds and Seedstockers both sell feminised packs in fives or tens. For Critical Mass, Mr. Nice Seeds still offers the original regular seeds.
Dinafem and CBD Crew have also rolled out feminised, autoflowering, and CBD-rich versions, so there's plenty of choice depending on what you're collecting.
Both strains are photoperiod plants, which means they flower based on light cycles. Critical Mass usually finishes in six to eight weeks, while Big Bud's even quicker at around 50 days.
They're both roughly 85% indica, so they stay fairly compact but still pack on serious weight.
Why they're so popular
Critical Mass and Big Bud have made a huge mark on the cannabis world, and it's not hard to see why.
Critical Mass is one of the heaviest-producing plants out there. The flowers themselves are chunky and cone-shaped, sometimes looking like little footballs.
They're usually a mix of mint and sage green, covered in orange hairs and a thick layer of crystals. Big Bud's the same story, massive, rock-hard buds that live up to the name.
Both strains have that classic indica look, short and stocky but absolutely loaded with flower.
Critical Mass became a favourite in Spain for years and was a hit with guerrilla growers in California before legalisation kicked in.
These days, it's showing up more and more in Colorado dispensaries, and it's still a staple in Dutch coffeeshops.
The "Blue Dream of Europe" nickname stuck because it ticked all the boxes, big yields, short flowering time, and a quality product that people kept coming back for.
Big Bud and Critical Mass Strains Frequently Asked Questions
Critical Mass is basically Big Bud 2.0, made by crossing the original with Skunk #1 to boost yield and toughness while keeping that massive bud size.
It's a cross of Afghani indica and Skunk #1, roughly 80% Afghan and 20% Skunk, built on the old Big Bud clone that Nevil worked with.
Critical Mass usually sits between 19% and 22% THC, sometimes hitting 24%, with very low CBD unless it's a special CBD version that balances both around 5% to 10%.
Myrcene's the main one, backed up by caryophyllene, limonene, ocimene, and pinene, which all combine to create that citrus, earthy, skunky mix you get.
Yeah, loads, it took first at Spannabis 2009 in the Hydro category, plus wins at the Bitox Cup, Marina Baixa Cup, Valencia THC Cup, and Canaries Summer Cup.
Critical Mass finishes in six to eight weeks, while Big Bud's even faster at around 50 days.
Big Bud comes as feminised seeds from Sensi and Seedstockers, while Mr. Nice sells regular Critical Mass seeds, and Dinafem and CBD Crew offer feminised and auto versions.
Loads, Critical Plus, Super Critical Mass, Critical Bilbo, Critical Widow, and CBD Critical Mass are some of the best-known ones, each with its own twist on the original.
Because it became absolutely huge in European coffeeshops, loved for its massive yields, short flowering time, and consistent quality.
It's a pure Afghani landrace strain, about 85% indica, that was developed in the States in the 70s and later crossed with Skunk #1 to create the foundation for Critical Mass.