Purple Urkle

Also known as: The Urkle, Urkel, Purple Urkel, Old Time Purple Urkle

Breeder: Unknown — clone-only cultivar from the Emerald Triangle, Northern California (emerged 1980s). No single credited breeder; survived via clone sharing among NorCal grower circles. Named after Steve Urkel from the ABC sitcom Family Matters (1989-1998).

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Mendocino Purps phenotype (exact parentage unconfirmed)

Mendocino Purps (presumed parent): Origin Mendocino County, Northern California. Bagseed from a purple Afghani variety grown in 1977, not cultivated until 1998. Balanced hybrid with slight indica dominance. BC Bud Depot developed stable seed versions. Won High Times Strain of the Year 2007. Deep green buds with purple and red hairs, heavy trichome coverage, caramel/coffee/woodsy pine flavor. Mendocino Purps is the accepted progenitor of both Purple Urkle and Grape Ape, and serves as one of the foundational genetics in modern purple cannabis varieties.

Terpene Profile

Aroma: Primary: ripe grape, grape candy, grape soda. Secondary: sweet berry (blueberry, blackberry), fresh skunk. Tertiary: earthy musk, lavender, subtle pine. The grape/berry character is Purple Urkle's most defining trait and the primary quality it passes to offspring. The signature emerges from the synergistic interplay of linalool (floral sweetness), myrcene (fruity depth), and trace esters, with caryophyllene adding skunky spice.

Flavor: Inhale: smooth, sweet grape with berry undertones. Exhale: skunky, earthy depth with lingering grape candy sweetness. Aftertaste: subtle herbal/floral notes, grape skin tartness.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Fast onset with strong body relaxation and euphoria/contentment. Short onset time.

Sedation and sleepiness build over 15-30 minutes. Strong pain relief and couch-lock at higher doses. Appetite stimulation follows. Exclusively an evening/nighttime strain.

Duration: 2-3 hours typical.

Growing Characteristics

Grow Tips: THE SLOW VEG FACTOR — CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE: Purple Urkle grows exceptionally slowly in the vegetative stage. This is the trait that most distinguishes it from typical indicas and the primary reason breeders created GDP (crossing with Big Bud for speed and yield). During veg, it builds a rock-solid root system and thick stems at a pace that can frustrate impatient growers. Give it extra time in veg before flipping — do NOT rush to flower. The slow, methodical structure-building produces the dense, resinous buds that make the strain worth growing. MORPHOLOGY: Short, wide, bushy with dense lateral branching. Broad fan leaves (classic indica). Thick, short stems with tight internodal spacing. Heavy foliage benefits from regular defoliation. Buds form primarily on central main stem as large dense colas. TRAINING: Responds exceptionally well due to compact structure. Topping: breaks apical dominance, creates multiple colas — top early after 4th-5th node. LST: ideal for this bushy plant. SCROG: creates even canopy, maximizes light — recommended for indoor. SOG: multiple small plants compensate for slow veg with volume. Defoliation: essential — heavy foliage plant; improves airflow and reduces mold risk. Lollipopping: remove lower growth, directs energy to top colas — do in early flower (days 1-14). NUTRIENTS: Veg — nitrogen-rich fertilizer for strong foliage and stem development. Feed moderately — this strain can be particular about nutrient levels (do not overfeed). Flowering — switch to P and K-rich formulas. Reduce nitrogen significantly — excess N hampers bud formation and can suppress purple coloring. Organic supplements (compost tea, worm castings) improve terpene expression. pH in soil: 6.0-6.5 (6.0 is ideal for anthocyanin expression). Hydro: 5.5-6.0. ACHIEVING MAXIMUM PURPLE COLORATION: Purple Urkle is genetically predisposed to produce anthocyanins. Unlike some strains that only purple under extreme stress, it will express purple with relatively mild triggers, but you can maximize it: (1) Night temperature drops (most important) — during final 2-3 weeks, drop nighttime temps to 55-65°F (13-18°C). Maintain 8-10°C differential between day and night. This mimics autumn conditions and triggers the phenylpropanoid pathway to synthesize anthocyanins. (2) Maintain pH at 6.0 — ensures plant can absorb all necessary micro-nutrients for anthocyanin biosynthesis. Without correct pH, pigment expression is impossible regardless of genetics. (3) Reduce nitrogen in late flower — nitrogen suppresses anthocyanin expression. Starving slightly of N in final weeks allows chlorophyll to break down and purple pigments to become visible. (4) UV-supplemental LED lighting can deepen purple intensity. (5) Allow full maturation — purple intensifies in final 1-2 weeks as chlorophyll degrades. The genetics MUST be there first — you cannot make a green strain turn purple by dropping temps. MOLD PREVENTION (CRITICAL): Dense bud structure is the Achilles' heel. Moisture gets trapped inside colas creating ideal conditions for botrytis and powdery mildew. Keep flowering RH below 50% (ideally 40-45%). Use oscillating fans and exhaust with carbon filters. Ensure airflow reaches inside canopy (defoliate interior leaves). Support heavy branches with stakes/trellises (prevents breakage opening infection sites). Inspect dense colas regularly in late flower by gently squeezing — soft spots indicate rot. In humid climates, consider greenhouse with supplemental ventilation. CLONING: As a clone-only strain, propagation technique is critical. Select healthy 4-6 inch cuttings from lower branches during veg. Cut at 45-degree angle with sterile razor. Dip immediately in rooting hormone gel. Place in moist rockwool or rapid rooter. Maintain humidity dome at 70-80% RH. Roots appear in 10-14 days. Transplant once root ball is established. The slow veg growth means mother plants can be maintained for extended periods without becoming unmanageable. HARVEST INDICATORS: 70-80% milky trichomes with 20-30% amber for maximum sedative effect. Heavy resin production, intense grape aroma spike, deep purple saturation of calyxes. Orange/brown pistils curled inward (60-70% color change). Purple coloration should be at peak intensity in the final week. INDOOR SETUP: SOG method compensates for slow veg and moderate per-plant yield. Temperature control makes purple expression reliable year-round. Typical cycle: 4-6 weeks veg + 8-10 weeks flower. OUTDOOR: Full sun minimum 6 hours/day. Use raised beds or large containers for water management. Natural fall temperature drops trigger purple expression. Add windbreaks to protect short, dense plants.

History & Origin

~1977: Purple Afghani variety grown in Mendocino County (later basis for Mendo Purps). ~1980s: Purple Urkle emerges as a clone-only selection in NorCal's Emerald Triangle. 1989: Family Matters premieres on ABC; Steve Urkel character inspires the strain's name. Early 1990s: Clone spreads through underground NorCal grow circles. Mid-1990s: Becomes a mainstay cultivar in HIV/AIDS treatment in medical cannabis dispensaries. 1998: Mendocino Purps cultivated from original 1977 seeds by BC Bud Depot. ~2003: Ken Estes crosses Purple Urkle x Big Bud to create Granddaddy Purple in the Bay Area. 2007: Mendocino Purps wins High Times Strain of the Year. 2000s-2010s: Purple Urkle's genetics cascade through GDP into Purple Punch, Zkittlez, etc. Present: 144+ documented direct descendants in SeedFinder database.

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Purple Urkle as a parent: