Banana Kush

Also known as: Crockett's Banana Kush, Private Reserve

Breeder: Crockett Family Farms (Dave Crockett)

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Ghost OG x Skunk Haze

Ghost OG (indica parent): phenotype of OG Kush (clone-only), prized for nug size and relatively good yield within the OG family. Contributes resin density, body relaxation, earthy/fuel aroma, and dense bud structure. Skunk Haze (sativa parent): Skunk #1 x Original Haze, a proprietary multi-generational line unique to the Crockett operation — seeds from the early 1970s that Crockett describes as an ancestor of the Haze that everybody in Amsterdam is crazy over. Not a commercial seed-bank variety. Contributes fruity sweetness, cerebral stimulation, flowering vigor, and banana terpene expression.

Terpene Profile

Aroma: Sweet, ripe banana and overripe banana peel as the primary note. Secondary tropical fruit and creamy vanilla. Undertone of earthy OG kush funk and light fuel/diesel from the Ghost OG parent. On break/grind, dank skunky sweetness intensifies and banana becomes more pronounced.

Flavor: Creamy banana, sweet tropical, and vanilla custard on the inhale. Earthy kush, subtle spice from caryophyllene pepper, and faint citrus on the exhale. Lingering sweetness with a smooth, almost dessert-like finish. Described as a tropical dessert rather than a dank kush.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Mild cerebral uplift with mood elevation, light euphoria, and sociability within the first 15 minutes. Not racy or anxious.

Indica body transition from 15-45 minutes — muscles loosen, tension drops, warm heaviness builds. Deep body relaxation and couch-lock at higher doses, with sleepiness onset after 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Duration: 2+ hours.

Growing Characteristics

Grow Tips: Temperature: optimal 68-80F, sensitive to large swings — stability is critical. Night temps should not drop below 65F during flower. Humidity is the #1 challenge: seedling 65-70%, vegetative 55-60% reducing each week, early flower 50%, late flower (week 6+) 40-45% NON-NEGOTIABLE — dense OG-style buds are highly susceptible to bud rot and powdery mildew above 55% in late flower. Airflow: oscillating fans at canopy level mandatory, defoliate lower canopy to prevent stagnant air pockets. In humid climates consider inline exhaust plus dehumidifier as essential not optional. Training: responds exceptionally well — top once at 4th-5th node, LST to spread branches laterally, SCROG is the ideal method (install screen at 20 inches above pot, tuck branches, creates dramatically increased yield). Lollipop lower growth in first 1-2 weeks of flower. Avoid super-cropping in late flower as dense buds can trap moisture at stress points. Nutrients: heavy feeder, can handle aggressive regimens especially nitrogen in veg (3-1-2 NPK). CalMag supplement recommended under LEDs or in coco. Transition: reduce N at flip, ramp P and K. Flowering: high P-K bloom formula. Micronutrients (zinc, manganese, iron, copper, boron, silicon) help prevent powdery mildew. EC 1.3-2.0 in hydro. Flush with plain pH water final 7-14 days soil or 3-5 days hydro. pH targets: soil 6.0-7.0, coco 5.5-6.5, hydro 5.5-6.5 with 5.8 ideal for DWC. Water temp in hydro 65-71F. Lighting: 18/6 veg, 12/12 flower strict with no light leaks. 600-1000W equivalent, 600-800 PPFD veg, 800-1000+ PPFD flower. Responds well to high intensity light with increased resin production. CO2 supplementation can boost yield 20-40% in sealed rooms at 800-1200 ppm veg and 1200-1500 ppm early flower with temps up to 85F. Primary pest threat: powdery mildew — keep RH under 40% in flower, constant air movement, defoliate aggressively, maintain strong micronutrient levels, preventive foliar sprays during veg (neem oil, potassium bicarbonate), stop foliar applications 2+ weeks before harvest. If PM appears: isolate, remove affected leaves, treat with dilute H2O2 or potassium bicarbonate, harvest early if severe and PM reaches colas. Harvest timing: 50-70% milky trichomes with 20-30% amber — more milky = euphoric/uplifting, more amber = sedative/pain relief. For max sedation wait for 30% amber. Pistil method backup: harvest when 70-80% darkened and curled. Drying and curing: hang at 60-65F/45-55% RH for 7-10 days in darkness with gentle airflow, then jar cure for minimum 4 weeks with daily burping. Critical for Banana Kush: the banana terpene expression develops significantly during a proper cure. A rushed dry/cure will lose the signature flavor since the volatile terpenes (terpinolene, ocimene) that contribute to banana character are easily lost at high temps or low humidity drying.

History & Origin

Dave Crockett's Skunk Haze seeds originated from the early 1970s in Northern California. In the late 1990s to early 2000s Crockett acquired the Ghost OG cut after a long search. Around 2004-2006 he crossed Ghost OG with his family's multi-generational Skunk Haze line. The offspring produced a faint banana smell — a freak-of-nature terpene expression. He named it Banana then renamed it Private Reserve after discovering the name was already in use. Around 2010-2012 Crockett collaborated with DNA Genetics to cross Banana Kush with a Strawberry phenotype of Bubble Gum, creating Strawberry Banana (Strawnana). In 2014 Strawberry Banana won major Cannabis Cup awards. In 2017 Crockett Family Farms was inducted into the High Times Seed Bank Hall of Fame.

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Banana Kush as a parent: