Marijuana Strain Descriptions
Vortex
Cannabis Strain Summary
Terpene Profile- Primary
Limonene (dominant): prominent citrus notes (lemon, tangy tropical fruit), bright zesty character, mood-elevating effects, potential anti-anxiety properties; Myrcene (dominant/secondary): earthy musky undertones, herbal depth, subtle body relaxation, mango associations
Terpene Profile- Secondary
Pinene: fresh pine-like notes, subtle sharpness, may counteract short-term memory effects, contributes to focus and clarity; Caryophyllene: spicy peppery undertones, warm pungent finish, potential anti-inflammatory benefits; Humulene (trace): subtle earthy woody notes, may suppress appetite
The Experience- Common Effects
Intense euphoria and happiness; profound well-being and contentment; mental energy and alertness (popular daytime strain); creative inspiration; talkative engaging social energy; enhanced conversation enjoyment; easy laughter (sometimes uncontrollable); social anxiety dissolution; enhanced sensory perception (colors more saturated, visual details pronounced); maintained focus despite sativa dominance; gentle body relaxation without couch-lock; pleasant tingling sensation; variable appetite stimulation
The Experience- Duration
Total duration: 2-3 hours from onset to baseline; Residual effects (mood elevation, slight energy) persist additional hour; Comedown: gradual and gentle rather than abrupt; Many report sustained energy rather than crash typical of some sativas
The Experience- Onset
Rapid onset within 2-5 minutes; Initial phase: sudden rush of cerebral stimulation, mental energy surge, heightened awareness, accelerated thoughts, visual brightening, potential time distortion; 10-15 minutes: peak stabilizes into focused state with functional energy, enhanced concentration, creative problem-solving; 30-45 minutes: subtle physical effects emerge with gentle body relaxation, muscle looseness, minor aches fade
The Experience- Potential Side Effects
Dry mouth (nearly universal); dry eyes (nearly universal); anxiety or paranoia (particularly with high doses or sensitive consumers); mental intensity feeling overwhelming; disorientation or feeling 'too high'; headaches (particularly during comedown, often dehydration-related); dizziness with initial rush; racing thoughts becoming uncomfortable; respiratory irritation with combustion
Strain Type
Sativa-Dominant Hybrid
Not Recommended For
Evening or nighttime use (interferes with sleep onset); avoid within 4-6 hours of bedtime; high-stress situations or when anxiety present; first-time cannabis consumers; tasks requiring precision or high stakes (driving, operating machinery, detailed financial work); situations requiring emotional stability; unfamiliar environments where feeling 'too high' could be problematic; important meetings or first dates
Lineage and Origins
Created by TGA Subcool Seeds (Subcool's The Dank) in mid-2000s; Cross of Apollo 13 (Brothers Grimm Seeds) and Space Queen (BC Growers Association); Apollo 13 genetics: Genius (Jack Herer phenotype) x P75; Space Queen genetics: Romulan x Cinderella 99; Deep Jack Herer influence from both parents with Romulan relaxation; Won High Times Best Sativa 2010 and High Times Top 10 in 2007
Cannabanoid Profile
THC: 16-20% typical range (average 17-18%), exceptional phenotypes reach 22%+; CBD: minimal, typically below 0.6-1%; CBN: approximately 0.8% measured in some samples, contributes subtle sedative effects late in experience; CBG: trace amounts if present; Low CBD means little anxiolytic buffering; Effects feel more impactful than THC percentage alone suggests due to terpene synergy and entourage effect
Comparable Strains
Space Queen (parent): more balanced 60/40 or 50/50 hybrid, gentler effects, less intense cerebral stimulation, more body-focused relaxation; Apollo 13 (parent): more purely cerebral, less body relaxation, slightly less tropical fruit, may feel more racy; Cinderella 99 (grandparent): faster flowering (50 days), more compact growth, less complex terpene profile, cleaner less psychedelic effects; Jack Herer (genetic influence): more piney herbal flavor, more stable cultivation, less intense onset, broader consumer appeal; Super Lemon Haze (similar effects/terpenes): more lemon-dominant, easier cultivation, longer flowering (9-10 weeks), potentially more anxiety-inducing
Thinking about growing your own cannabis?
Cultivation Resilience
Indoor cultivation strongly recommended over outdoor; good mold resistance despite resinous dense buds; requires warm conditions (70-80°F/21-27°C day, slightly cooler night); moderate humidity (40-50% during flowering); proper air circulation essential; outdoor requires Mediterranean-type climate with protected locations; structural weaknesses problematic outdoors with wind and weather stress; moderate difficulty requiring experienced grower; not recommended for beginners or first-time growers
Cultivation Flowering Time
Indoor: 7-8 weeks (49-56 days), some phenotypes 45-50 days; Outdoor: late September to early October harvest; Relatively quick for sativa-dominant strain
Cultivation Yield
Modest to below-average yields despite numerous bud sites; Indoor: 4-5 ounces per square meter typical; Hydroponics can reach 5+ ounces per square meter; Outdoor: potentially 5 ounces per plant in optimal conditions; Low yield significant drawback for commercial cultivation; Quality over quantity focus justified for boutique/personal gardens
Cultivation Plant Structure
Vine-like branches with weak flexible stems lacking structural rigidity; long internodal spacing creating sprawling open structure; short to medium height with wide lateral spread; significant stretch during first 2-3 weeks of flowering (100-150% height increase); hundreds of potential bud sites across spreading structure; requires extensive training and support (ScrOG highly recommended); requires stakes, strings, tomato cages, or trellising; early topping recommended at 4th-5th node; aggressive pruning of lower growth necessary
Cultivation Quality Indicators
Vibrant coloration (lime green to forest green); abundant burnt-orange pistils; dense visible trichome coverage creating frosted appearance; moderately dense bud structure (not airy, not rock-hard); immediately potent complex aroma with clear tropical fruit and citrus notes dominating; slightly moist but not wet texture; breaks apart easily leaving sticky resin on fingers; smooth smoke without harsh harshness (though pungent profile can feel peppery in throat); proper cure: 60-65% RH, minimum 2-3 weeks (extended 4-8 weeks optimal)