Chemdawg

Also known as: Chemdog, Chem Dog, Chemdawg 91, Chem 91, Chem D, Chem 4, Chem Sister

Breeder: Greg Krzanowski (Chemdog) — discovered from bagseed, not deliberately bred

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Unknown bagseed (Dogbud) — speculated Thai x Nepalese x Afghani landrace origins

The source material was called Dogbud — extremely potent for its era, named because it was so strong it would knock you on your back like a dog. Joe Brand noticed a strong chemmy (chemical/fuel) taste, leading to the alternate name Chemweed. The bud was sourced from friends of a friend in Crested Butte, Colorado. 13 seeds were found in one of two ounces shipped to Chemdog. One male was found among the first 4 seeds popped and discarded. As of 2016, Chemdog still had 2 of the original 13 seeds.

Terpene Profile

Aroma: Pungent enough to alert snoopy neighbors. Dominant scent is sharp, acrid diesel fuel/gasoline layered over deep chemical/solvent quality (origin of the Chem name). Underneath: earthy pine, sour skunk, musky soil. Breaking buds apart releases intensified fuel vapors and a leather-like quality. The smell fills an entire room.

Flavor: Primary sharp chemical/diesel, petroleum, gasoline. Secondary peppery spice (caryophyllene), earthy pine. Finish of sour citrus (limonene) with lingering chemical taste on exhale. Heavy, thick smoke that coats the palate. Chem 91 leans more fuel/skunk, Chem D is more sour-diesel, Chem 4 adds brighter pine and lemon.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Fast-acting head rush within 5-10 minutes — waves of euphoria and mental uplift. Thoughts become expansive and interconnected. Strong sensory enhancement. Experienced users feel sociable and creative; inexperienced users may feel disoriented.

Cerebral-dominant (approximately 60% mental / 40% physical). Creativity and focus sharpen at peak (30-45 min). Deep conversational engagement. Simultaneous body relaxation builds — gentle release of muscular tension without heavy sedation. At higher doses, indica properties emerge with potential for muscle relaxation and mild couchlock.

Duration: 2-3 hours for flower (smoked). Edibles 4-6 hours.

Growing Characteristics

Grow Tips: Chemdawg's sativa-influenced stretch makes training essential for indoor growers. Top at node 4-5 during veg to create multiple main colas. LST is the most important technique — forces lateral instead of vertical growth. ScrOG is highly recommended. Supercropping can help if losing headroom by week 2 of flower. Stop all training before late flower. Use stakes, trellising, or yo-yo hangers for heavy buds. Specifically noted as prone to mold and mildew — this is the strain's primary cultivation vulnerability. Keep humidity below 50% during flower. Inspect buds daily during late flower. Indoor cultivation strongly recommended over outdoor due to mold susceptibility. Chemdog himself used Pro-Mix fortified with FoxFarm Marine Cuisine and earthworm castings, alternating FoxFarm and Earth Juice nutrients fed mildly. Begin nutrients at 50% strength — Chemdawg is sensitive to overfeeding. Cal-Mag supplementation critical — Chem genetics are notoriously prone to Cal-Mag deficiency, especially in coco/hydro. Supplement proactively from early flower at 3-5 mL/gal. EC targets: seedling 0.4-0.6, veg 1.2-1.4, transition 1.5-1.8, peak flower 1.7-2.1, flush 0.5-1.0. Organic fertilizers enhance flavor and terpene expression specifically for this strain. Chemdog used Safer Soap and yellow sticky traps for mites, vinegar and wine cups for fungus gnats. For harvest timing, inspect trichomes on calyxes not sugar leaves (sugar leaves amber 5-7 days before). For peak THC: harvest at 80-90% milky/cloudy with minimal amber. Expect additional 5-10% amber development during drying/curing — factor this into timing. A rushed dry is the single biggest terpene killer on Diesel-family strains. Dry at 60-65°F and 55-65% RH for 10-14 days ideal. Cure minimum 2-4 weeks, 6-8 weeks for full terpene and flavor development. The complex diesel/fuel/spice character truly emerges with extended curing. Properly flushed and cured Chemdawg burns to a light white ash. The smell is extreme — invest in proper carbon filtration. Clone propagation is traditional; seed versions introduce significant variability. The resin is extreme — use isopropyl alcohol to clean trimming tools frequently.

History & Origin

June 1991 at the Grateful Dead's Deer Creek Amphitheater in Indiana, Greg Krzanowski bought an ounce for $500 from Joe Brand and P-Bud who were selling Dogbud. Two ounces were shipped later — one contained 13 seeds. Greg popped 4 seeds getting 1 male (discarded) and 3 females: Chem 91, Chem Sister, and Chem B. In 1992 Chemdog met Weasel at a Phish concert and exchanged cuttings. Late 1994, an accidental cross in NYC produced Sour Diesel. Around 1994-1996, an S1 seed from Chem 91 became the foundation of OG Kush. In 2001, seeds C, D, E were popped — Chem D became a famous keeper. In 2006, Joe Brand received 4 seeds and found Chem #4 (Reunion Pheno). In 2011 Chemdog was arrested but friends preserved the genetics. As of 2022, Chemdog is Director of Cultivation at Canna Provisions growing from his personal 30-year-old Chem 91 mother clone.

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Chemdawg as a parent: