Breeder's Insights: Lemon Snow Leopard

Cultivar Details:

Plant Physiology: Lemon Snow Leopard (LSL) inherited its vigorous growth and structure from both sides of its lineage, with wide, healthy leaves and strong, sturdy branching. When in flower, LSL features large, iridescent, silver flowers that stack into long, heavy colas with a high flower-to-leaf ratio. When grown from seed, the physiology of the seedlings is fairly uniform, showing both sides of their heritage equally; however, about 10% of plants exhibit interesting pure OG Kush Breath (OGKB) characteristics. As LSL approaches the end of its flowering cycle, leaves fade to fall yellow, orange, and dark burgundy colors below glistening silver trichomes.

Average Yield: LSL is a high-yielding cultivar; a capable grower can expect 70 grams per square foot. High planting density is possible due to the structural influence of the OGKB and OG Kush and the high flower-to-leaf ratio during flower.

Flowering Time: Recommended flowering time for indoor and light-deprivation greenhouses is 56 to 60 days. Outdoor harvests can be expected early- to mid-October in most Northern temperate settings.

Environmental Conditions: Like most vigorous F1 hybrids, LSL performs best when receiving high-intensity light throughout both vegetative and flowering stages. When possible, light level inputs should increase weekly to peak between week four and week seven in flower and be reduced 25% for the last 10 to 12 days to preserve color, terpene quality and flower density.

Throughout the crop cycle, keep daytime temperatures at 78 to 80 degrees F and nighttime temps at 72 to 74 degrees F.

During the vegetative stage relative humidity levels can be kept at 60% to 65%. Gradually reduce RH each week throughout the flowering period to about 50% for the last three weeks of flower. Though versatile, this variety performs best in drier outdoor environments with lower relative humidity due to its dense flower structure.

Recommended Input Conditions: LSL requires standard input conditions, showing vigorous growth throughout all stages. Monitor irrigation strategy carefully to avoid overwatering during early stages of growth, initial root set and after transplant. Once established, LSL performs best with fairly aggressive root zone dry-downs during mid-to-late flower to promote flower density and yield.

Integrated Pest Management Notes: LSL showed resistance to powdery mildew during trials. If growing outdoors in cool, humid environments, as with all Afghani-dominant cultivars, watch for early signs of Botrytis cinerea.

Terpene Profile: LSL retains the lemon, leather and fuel base with whiskey-cream notes of Lemon Vuitton paired with straight OG Kush gas and playdough from Uncirculated OG x OGKB.

Reported Effects: LSL is reported to be a potent cultivar with a balanced effect. The early onset is uplifting with a relaxing and sedative back end.

Eva Erickson is CEO/co-founder and Sjoerd Broeks is managing partner/head of R&D at Haze Valley Nursery in Santa Cruz, Calif.