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Indica80/20 Indica-dominant18–24% THC

Blackwater

Also known as: Blackwater OG, Black Water, Black Water OG, Black Water Kush

Breeder: The Cali Connection

A heavy indica released by The Cali Connection as a special edition for the 2010 Cannabis Cup. Bred with the explicit goal of creating 'one of the darkest Purple OG Kushes,' Blackwater combines Mendocino Purps' anthocyanin-rich genetics with the resin-heavy SFV OG Kush F3 male. Known for narcotic-level sedation, dense purple-black buds, and a grape-fuel aromatic signature. A nighttime-only strain favored by medical patients for insomnia and chronic pain.

Lineage
Mendo Purps x SFV OG Kush F3
THC Range
18–24%
Flower Time
56–63 days (breeder: 8–9 weeks)
Difficulty
Moderate

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Mendo Purps x SFV OG Kush F3

Parent strains in encyclopedia:OG KushSFV OGMendocino Purps

Mendo Purps (aka Mendocino Purps / The Purps): legendary California clone known for intense purple coloring and aromas of pine, caramel, and coffee; strong sedative effects. SFV OG Kush F3: San Fernando Valley cut of OG Kush bred to F3 generation for stability; contributes aggressive Kush backbone, heavy resin production, and fuel/lemon terpenes.

Lineage Dispute

Regular version: Mendo Purps x SFV OG Kush F3 male (IBL). Feminized version: Mendo Purps x Tahoe OG S1. Breeder (Swerve) explicitly states these are different crosses sold under the same name. The 'SFV OG x Tahoe OG' attribution found online is incorrect — both versions use Mendo Purps as the mother; only the male/pollen donor differs.

Terpene Profile

DOMINANT

Myrcene

SECONDARY

Caryophyllene

SECONDARY

Limonene

SECONDARY

Pinene

SECONDARY

Delta-3-Carene

Aroma: Leads with heavy grape and musky earth. Breaking buds releases a second wave of pine, lemon peel, and sharp fuel. Pungent enough to fill a room. Some phenotypes express blue cheese undertones from the OG side.

Flavor: Sweet grape on inhale driven by myrcene dominance. Exhale transitions to earthy pine with lemon and woody undertones. Finish is smooth and lingering with occasional spicy/peppery notes from caryophyllene. Extended cure (4–6 weeks) clarifies the grape notes significantly.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Brief cerebral buzz — giddy, slightly euphoric uplift lasting only a few minutes before the indica body effects take over.

Heavy, warming full-body sedation builds progressively into couch-lock. Strong appetite stimulation. Mood elevation without energizing qualities. Described as 'narcotic' and 'floating.' Not incapacitating but deeply relaxing with munchies.

Duration: 2–3 hours typical. Sleep-inducing sensation intensifies near tail-end. Re-dosing accelerates sedation into full slumber.

Commonly Reported Uses

InsomniaChronic painMuscle spasmsAnxietyDepressionAppetite lossMigrainesInflammationArthritisMultiple sclerosis

Growing Characteristics

Flower Time
56–63 days (breeder: 8–9 weeks)
Yield (Indoor)
400–500 g/m²
Yield (Outdoor)
500–600 g/plant
Difficulty
Moderate
Height
Medium (90–160 cm); compact and bushy
Environment
Indoor/Outdoor; prefers warm, Mediterranean-like climate. Harvest outdoors late September to mid-October.

Grow Tips: Drop night temperatures to 16–18°C in final 3 weeks to unlock deep purple/black coloration via anthocyanin expression. Sensitive to nitrogen toxicity — transition to low-N, high-P/K bloom nutrients by week 4 of flower. Dense bud structure makes it highly susceptible to mold in stagnant/humid air; aggressive defoliation and airflow are critical. Maintain pH at 6.0–6.3 in soil; fluctuations cause nutrient lockout during late-bloom swell. Minimal stretch weeks 1–3; resin production peaks weeks 7–10 when colors shift dramatically. Requires 14-day slow dry minimum; grape/berry notes only fully develop after 4–6 week cure. Top early to maximize lateral growth and number of colas on this naturally squat plant.

History & Origin

Created by Swerve of The Cali Connection as a special release for the 2010 High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam. Named after one of Swerve's favorite songs. His stated breeding goal: 'achieve one of the darkest Purple OG Kushes there is.' Quickly gained recognition in California medical dispensaries for its reliable sedation. Won multiple cups between 2014–2016. The feminized version (Mendo Purps x Tahoe OG S1) was released separately and won the 2014 High Times Medical Cup LA placement.

Awards & Recognition

  • 3rd Place Best Indica — High Times Medical Cannabis Cup, Los Angeles 2014
  • 5th Place Indica — The Karma Cup 2014 (Alchemy Extracts)
  • 1st Place Best Hybrid — The Karma Cup 2015 (MedMariCapo)
  • 1st Place Hybrid — The Karma Cup 2016 (MedMariCapo)

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Blackwater as a parent:

Purple CrackGreen Crack x Blackwater — The Cali Connection
Fire Alien BlackBlackwater x Fire Alien Kush — Exotic Genetix
Deja VuBlackwater x Chem 91 — Sunset Genetics
Black SheepBlackwater x Golden Goat — Lost River Seeds
Sith LordBlackwater x Beerus God of Destruction — Grow Today Genetics
Mendo Ape OGBlackwater x Rare Dankness — J2G Genetics
Sources & References (9)
  1. https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/blackwater/the-cali-connection
  2. https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/blackwater-fem/the-cali-connection
  3. https://leafly.com/strains/blackwater-og
  4. https://leafwell.com/cannabis-strains/blackwater
  5. https://thecaliconnection.eu/awards-2/
  6. https://allbud.com/marijuana-strains/indica/blackwater-og
  7. https://growdiaries.com/strains/blackwater
  8. https://thcdesign.com/strains/blackwater/
  9. https://hytiva.com/strains/hybrid/blackwater-og

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