AK-47

Also known as: AK, AK47, AK 47

Breeder: Serious Seeds (Simon)

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Colombian x Mexican x Thai x Afghani

Colombian is a sativa landrace from South America contributing cerebral uplift and mental energy. Mexican is a sativa landrace from Central America providing euphoria and clear-headed stimulation. Thai is a sativa landrace from Southeast Asia adding potency and long-lasting duration. Afghani is an indica landrace from the Hindu Kush contributing body relaxation, resin production, and structural stability. The combination creates a strain with sativa-forward cerebral effects grounded by indica structure.

Terpene Profile

Aroma: Pungent and complex — strong sour/earthy base with sweet floral top notes. As buds cure, sweet citrus and fruity undertones emerge alongside spicy herbal sharpness. Intense enough during flowering to require carbon filtration. High calyx-to-leaf ratio unleashes an unusually strong sweet and fruity aroma when buds are broken apart.

Flavor: Earthy and sour with sweet flowery notes on inhale. Spicy and herbal with lightly peppery finish that intensifies with use on exhale. Lingering floral sweetness with subtle citrus aftertaste.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Fast-acting cerebral stimulation within minutes of consumption

Steady, long-lasting cerebral buzz with mental clarity and alertness without racing thoughts. Mood elevation and euphoria with enhanced creativity and focus. Social ease that sparks conversation without paranoia. Gentle physical relaxation keeps the experience grounded. Often described as a thinking person's sativa — functional, productive, suitable for daytime use. The Afghani genetics prevent jitteriness common in pure sativas.

Duration: Long-lasting: 2-3+ hours of sustained cerebral effect

Growing Characteristics

Grow Tips: AK-47 is widely praised as a set-it-and-grow-it strain delivering professional results with relatively low maintenance. Its three key grower-friendly traits: exceptional resin production (buds appear whiter each flowering week, so much trichome coverage it could carry the attribute white in its name), high calyx-to-leaf ratio (very few sugar leaves, dense round flower clusters, easy trimming), and structural simplicity (Christmas-tree growth with dominant central cola, no complex canopy management needed). SCROG is the ideal technique — install screen 15-30 cm above medium, fill to 70-80% before flipping, leave space between tops to prevent microclimates. LST works very well with flexible branches. Lollipop lower growth below the screen to focus energy on top colas. Famous for outstanding results on hydroponic mediums — DWC and flood-and-drain both work well. Monitor EC carefully at max 2.0 mS. Proven nutrient protocol from Serious Seeds: Canna Terra Vega in veg, Canna Terra Flores in flower, PK 13/14 booster at week 6, root stimulant + enzyme supplement throughout, bloom stimulator for final resin push. Vigorous initial growth, slow first few days then rapid development. Clones root easily in 5-10 days. Moderate stretch during first 2-3 weeks after flip. Resin production begins early and intensifies weekly. Extremely pungent from day 30 onward — carbon filtration mandatory even in small grows, plan extraction with extra capacity above tent CFM. Bud rot/mold is the main concern due to dense buds — keep RH below 50% in flower, ensure airflow, defoliate inner canopy. Outdoor: can reach 3m tall and 1 kg dry per plant in optimal Mediterranean conditions. Start March-April, harvest mid-to-late October before first frost. Ensure excellent airflow, direct sunlight, and avoid regions with wet autumn weather. Harvest when trichomes are mostly cloudy with 10-20% amber. Trimming is easy due to high calyx-to-leaf ratio. Dry 7-10 days at 60°F/60% RH in darkness. Cure minimum 2-4 weeks. Exceptional hash/extract candidate due to prolific trichome coverage. Simon continues working the genetic line using previously unused parent material within the same family to refresh genetics, explaining why AK-47 continues winning awards decades after release.

History & Origin

Created in 1992 by Simon, a biologist who previously worked at Sensi Seeds, after testing thousands of experimental plants. A refined 99 version was released in 1999 with the highest THC of all Cannabis Cup entries that year at 21.5%. Named for its one-hit-wonder potency, likening its immediate impact to the reliability of the firearm. First Cannabis Cup recognition came in 1994 (2nd place Hydro + 3rd place Overall). Named Plant of the Year by High Times Magazine readers in 2003. The strain spans four landrace genetics from four continents, making it one of the broadest genetic bases of any commercial cultivar.

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using AK-47 as a parent: