Grape Ape

Also known as: Purple Ape, Grape Ape Kush

Breeder: Apothecary Genetics (Bret Bogue), with later refinement and international seed distribution by Barney's Farm (Amsterdam)

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Mendocino Purps x Skunk #1 x Afghani (three-way cross)

Mendocino Purps (aka Mendo Purps, The Purps) — originated in Mendocino County late 1990s, indica-dominant ~60/40, clone-only for years. Placed 3rd at 2007 High Times Cannabis Cup. Contributes purple coloration (anthocyanin expression), grape/berry terpene character, and sedating indica effects. Skunk #1 — developed by Sacred Seeds (Sam the Skunkman) in the 1970s-80s from Colombian Gold x Mexican Acapulco Gold x Afghani landrace. One of the most important cultivars in breeding history. Contributes structural vigor, dense bud formation, reliable growth, and pungent terpene base. Afghani — Hindu Kush mountain range pure indica landrace. The original source of heavy resin production, compact structure, and body-centric sedation. Contributes compact plant structure, short internodes, heavy resin, hardiness, and disease resistance.

Terpene Profile

Aroma: Strong, unmistakable grape candy on the nose — the primary scent that gives the strain its name. Underlying notes of musky earth, damp soil, skunk, and sweet berry. As buds cure past 4 weeks, a fuel/gas undertone develops alongside the grape creating a grape-fuel profile unique to this cultivar. Aroma becomes notably loud by week 5 of flower requiring carbon filtration.

Flavor: Leads with grape candy and ripe berry sweetness. Mid-palate brings earthy, skunky depth. Exhale finishes with subtle pine and spice. Well-cured flower (6+ weeks) reveals additional blueberry and candy notes absent in rushed cures. Smoke is generally smooth and thick.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Initial cerebral euphoria within 0-5 minutes — a warm, happy head buzz. Eyelids get heavy. Mood lifts noticeably with a carefree and blissful quality.

Heavy full-body sedation at 15-60 minutes. Deep muscle relaxation described as couch-lock — comfortably anchored. Tension dissolves from muscles. Strong appetite stimulation (pronounced munchies). Mental state remains euphoric but increasingly drowsy. The sedative qualities intensify through the session transitioning to sleepiness. This is an evening/nighttime strain not recommended for daytime productivity.

Duration: 2-3 hours for primary experience, transitioning to gentle warm descent into drowsiness

Growing Characteristics

Grow Tips: Grape Ape naturally produces one dominant central cola with a Christmas-tree shape. Untrained this wastes your light footprint. TRAINING: Top at node 4-5 early in veg to break apical dominance, then LST bending and tying resulting branches outward targeting 8-12 tops all at same height receiving same PPFD. Defoliate at the flip removing large fan leaves blocking bud sites and stripping lower growth (larf). Second light defoliation at day 21 of flower to open canopy. After day 21 leave the plant alone to build resin undisturbed. Finish all pruning and topping by end of week 4 of veg — any high-stress work during flower risks hermaphroditism or stunted bud development. SCROG and SOG both work well with compact structure. FEEDING: Veg NPK ratio 3-1-2 at EC 1.0-1.4 early then 1.4-1.8. Cal-Mag supplement at 3-5 mL/gallon from week 2, particularly prone to calcium deficiency under LEDs (interveinal chlorosis and brown spots). Flower: transition to bloom 1-3-4 NPK at flip. Hard nitrogen reduction after week 3 of flower — running too much nitrogen late is the single most common reason buds come out airy and produce flat-tasting smoke. EC in peak flower 1.8-2.2. Final 2 weeks taper to 1.2-1.4 EC. Final 5-7 days plain pH-corrected water only. PURPLE COLOR TRICK: Drop nighttime temps to 55-65F (13-18C) during last 2-3 weeks while maintaining daytime 72-77F. This 10-15F differential activates anthocyanin expression turning buds deep purple. Also improves bud density. PEST AND DISEASE: Botrytis (bud rot) is the #1 enemy. Dense tightly-packed colas trap moisture in the interior. Prevention: sub-50% RH from week 5 through harvest, strong airflow across every bud site (oscillating fans mandatory not optional), defoliation to open canopy, catch early (gray fuzzy patches inside cola) and remove entire affected section immediately. Powdery mildew more common in veg when humidity runs high — keep under 65% with good airflow. General pest resistance is above average benefiting from strong landrace Afghani genetics. HARVEST: Do not harvest by calendar — harvest by trichomes. Use 60-100x jeweler's loupe or digital microscope. Target mostly milky/cloudy trichomes with 10-20% amber. Secondary indicator 70-90% of white pistils darkened and curled inward. Typical 56 days (8 weeks), some running to 63 days (9 weeks). DRYING: Hang whole branches upside down in dark well-ventilated space at 60F and 55% RH for 10-14 days until outer stems snap cleanly. Do NOT rush with heat or low humidity — terpenes will be drastically diminished if dried in under 7 days. CURING: Trim and jar in wide-mouth glass mason jars targeting 62% RH inside using Boveda 62 or Integra Boost packs. Burp daily 1-2 times for first 2 weeks, then every few days. Minimum 4 weeks, optimal 6-8 weeks. The grape-fuel terp profile genuinely opens up at 6 weeks in a way 2-week cure cannot match. Common mistakes: excess nitrogen in late flower (the #1 yield/quality killer causing airy buds and flat taste), humidity above 50% in late flower (guaranteed botrytis in dense colas), rushing the dry (sub-7-day dries destroy grape terpene profile — if buds smell like hay you dried too fast), insufficient cure (2 weeks is functional but leaves enormous aroma on the table), skipping training (untrained produces one big cola and larf), not defoliating enough (dense canopy traps humidity and blocks light), ignoring Cal-Mag under LEDs (brown spots and yellowing show up fast in coco).

History & Origin

Genetic precursors circulated in Mendocino County from the 1970s-1990s. In the early 2000s Bret Bogue of Apothecary Genetics crossed Mendocino Purps x Skunk #1 x Afghani and selected the Grape Ape phenotype. The strain gained traction through Lake County's medical cannabis gardens, notably the Eddy Lepp operation. It won back-to-back at the Seattle Green Cup in 2005 and 2006 and the Lake County Medical Cup in 2006. Kyle Kushman circulated a celebrated selection (the Kushman Cut) later distributed through Dark Heart Nursery. Barney's Farm picked up the genetics in the late 2000s for international seed distribution. Around 2015 Terp Hogz and 3rd Gen Family released Zkittlez (Grape Ape x Grapefruit x undisclosed third strain), which redefined market taste preferences. Zkittlez begat Runtz (Zkittlez x Gelato), establishing Grape Ape's genetic fingerprint in a substantial portion of modern commercial cannabis.

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Grape Ape as a parent: