Why I Keep Coming Back to Alien Kush
I’ve run Alien Kush across a few different set-ups—two indoor tents and one backyard plot—and it’s become one of those cultivars I return to when I want reliable structure, classic West Coast aromas, and forgiving growth in variable conditions. The Alien Kush strain tends to stack compact, lime-to-forest-green colas with orange to rust pistils and a dusting that intensifies in the last two weeks. You’ll catch pine, sweet herb, and a berry-woody twist when you brush past the canopy. Effects vary by phenotype, but the overall vibe leans calm, clear, and quietly upbeat without hitting the panic button—great for an evening wind-down or weekend chores. I don’t make medical or legal claims here; I’m just sharing what I’ve observed while growing and sampling my own harvests.
Genetics, Morphology, and What That Means in the Grow Room
Reported lineage ties Alien Kush to Las Vegas Purple Kush and Alien Dawg. In the tent, I’ve seen two recurring phenotypes: a stocky, broad-leaf leaner with chunkier internodes and a slightly taller, hybrid-leaning plant with better lateral branching. Both respond well to training and stay manageable under an 80-inch tent ceiling. The Alien Kush strain doesn’t demand perfection; it tolerates small mistakes while rewarding dialed-in environment with denser colas and richer terp expression.
My Proven Environment Recipe
The following is what I run to hit repeatable results. Adjust to your room, gear, and climate.
Tent, Lights, and Airflow
- Space: 4×4-foot tent for 2–4 plants, 6-inch inline fan with carbon filter, oscillating clip fans under and above canopy.
- Lights: Full-spectrum LEDs with strong red in bloom. In my best round, I targeted 600–700 μmol/m²/s in late veg and ramped to 900–1,050 μmol/m²/s during peak bloom. That sits squarely in recommended PPFD for flowering, with headroom to push 1,100–1,200 μmol/m²/s if you’re adding CO₂ and managing heat.
- Monitoring: A PAR meter is worth its weight. Matching PPFD for flowering to plant stage avoids light stress and flaccid buds. I cross-check with a VPD chart cannabis growers use to keep stomata happy and keep feed rates predictable.
Temperature, RH, and VPD
- Veg: 24–27°C (75–80°F), RH 60–70%, VPD around 0.9–1.2 kPa. The VPD chart cannabis growers reference helps me keep leaves perky without overtranspiration.
- Flower: 22–26°C (72–79°F), RH 45–55%, VPD 1.2–1.5 kPa early, 1.4–1.6 kPa late. I revisit the VPD chart cannabis dashboards daily during stretch and weeks 3–6 to track leaf response.
Medium and pH/EC
I’ve run coco/perlite 70/30 and amended soil. Coco gives me finer control and faster corrections.
- Coco targets: pH 5.8–6.1; EC for coco grows around 1.2–1.6 mS/cm in late veg and 1.7–2.1 mS/cm in mid-flower, then gradually taper. Keeping EC for coco grows stable with consistent runoff prevents salt crusting.
- Soil targets: pH 6.2–6.6; lighter liquid feed ECs because the medium already carries nutrition.
From Seed to Strong Starts
If you’re starting from Alien Kush seeds, viability and uniformity will depend on the source, storage, and age. I pop in paper towels or Rapid Rooters at 24–25°C (75–77°F), lightly moistened, in the dark with a gentle heat mat. As soon as I see taproots at 0.5–1 cm, I move them into the medium and dim lights to 200–300 μmol/m²/s to avoid photobleach. Alien Kush seeds usually break soil within 48–72 hours for me.
Early Veg Routine
- Light: 18/6 photoperiod, 300–450 μmol/m²/s.
- Feed: In coco, I start at EC for coco grows near 0.8–1.0 mS/cm and rise to 1.3–1.5 as the fifth node forms.
- Water: Keep a moist but airy root zone; overwatering seedlings is the fastest way to stall.
- Goal: Short internodes, thick petioles, and a symmetrical canopy. This sets up the later step where I grow Alien Kush indoors with full canopy control.
Training That Works Every Time
Alien Kush responds extremely well to topping, low-stress training, and screen management. These are my go-to SCROG training tips for consistent yields:
Topping and LST
- Top above node 4 or 5 once plants are well established.
- Bend and tie side branches outward to fill space evenly.
- Reposition ties every few days, encouraging lateral growth and creating a flat table for bloom.
Screen of Green (SCROG)
- Screen height: 8–10 inches above the pot.
- Weave, don’t crush: Gently guide branches under the mesh and forward to the next square.
- Timing: I tuck daily during the stretch. These SCROG training tips let me keep every cola in the same light plane so I can grow Alien Kush indoors with even PPFD for flowering across the entire canopy.
Repeat those SCROG training tips with each run, and you’ll see fewer larfy bits and more uniform tops.
Feeding Strategy and Runoff Management
In coco, the feed plan centers on EC and pH discipline. Matching EC for coco grows to plant demand avoids tip burn and clawing.
- Veg: 1.2–1.5 mS/cm, pH 5.9–6.1.
- Transition: As stretch starts, I move to 1.6–1.8 mS/cm.
- Early-mid bloom: 1.8–2.1 mS/cm when the canopy is drinking and PPFD for flowering is peaking.
- Late bloom: Begin tapering EC for coco grows by 0.1–0.2 per feeding, stabilizing flavor and burn characteristics.
- Runoff: 10–20% runoff per irrigation keeps salts moving. If runoff EC rises rapidly above input, I reduce strength slightly or add a light flush.
Flip, Stretch, and The Bloom Clock
The Alien Kush flowering time has been a consistent 8–9 weeks for me indoors, with some phenotypes finishing right at day 56 and others needing a few extra days to tighten up. I’ve had the best structure by flipping when the screen is around 70% full; Alien Kush will fill the remaining space during stretch.
- Week 1–3: Stretch and set. I raise PPFD for flowering from 600 to 900 μmol/m²/s, watching leaf angle and praying behavior.
- Week 4–6: Bulk. This is where I maintain that 900–1,050 μmol/m²/s range and keep a close eye on the VPD chart cannabis growers rely on to prevent mid-flower botrytis in denser canopies.
- Week 7–9: Ripen. I slowly reduce PPFD for flowering 10–15% to reduce stress, hold VPD steady, and start looking closely at the harvest window trichomes.
You’ll see why the Alien Kush flowering time is often quoted as 8–9 weeks: calyx swell, terp intensity, and trichome shift line up neatly in that window when environment is stable. In outdoor runs, the Alien Kush flowering time tracks late summer to early fall; my backyard plants consistently came off in the first half of October.
Defoliation, Air Exchange, and IPM
- Leafing: Moderate defoliation at day 21 and 42 of flower opens sites without overexposing them.
- Air: Keep negative pressure in the tent, fresh intake, and vigorous oscillation.
- IPM: Sticky cards, weekly leaf inspections, and rotation of mild, plant-safe sprays during veg only. Once pistils stack, I stop foliar inputs and rely on canopy hygiene.
Aroma and Flavor Notes
Alien Kush usually presents a pine-herbal top note with a berry-woody backdrop. On dry pulls before lighting, I get sweet conifer and faint spice. Post-cure, the Alien Kush strain tends to keep that clean, forest-floor quality that pairs nicely with an evening playlist. Good environment control and careful drying amplify those pine and berry facets.
Harvest Timing and Reading the Plant
The most objective way I’ve found to call it is to track the harvest window trichomes with a 60× loupe across multiple colas.
- Early ripe: Mostly cloudy with a sprinkling of clear.
- Peak: A carpet of cloudy with a modest amber sprinkle.
- Late: Amber spreads and volatile aromatics begin dropping off.
I log notes from multiple runs, and I’ve learned that the harvest window trichomes can vary by a few days between the stocky and hybrid-leaning phenos. Don’t rush—check the top, mid, and lower colas.
Drying and Curing Workflow
Great flower becomes average if the dry is rushed. My approach to drying and curing cannabis is methodical and repeatable:
- Dry room: 17–19°C (63–66°F), 55–60% RH, full darkness, gentle air exchange.
- Duration: 9–12 days, stems snapping but not brittle.
- Trim: I prefer a careful hand trim; the sugar leaf on Alien Kush carries resin and aroma.
- Cure: Glass jars at 62% RH, burped daily for the first 10 days, then weekly. That’s the framework I follow for drying and curing cannabis every round. The more consistent you are with drying and curing cannabis, the more predictable your terp profile and smoothness become.
Outdoor Notes for Warm Climates
Outdoors, Alien Kush is sunny-climate friendly and shrugs off minor stress. Give it full sun, quality soil, and a wide-open root zone. I mulch heavily and top-dress with slow-release organics. Expect the Alien Kush flowering time to land mid-October in many temperate zones. Keep airflow up as nights cool and dew risk rises.
Seed Buyer’s Corner
When you’re shopping for Alien Kush seeds, decide whether you want feminized or regular. Feminized Alien Kush seeds reduce selection work and are a sensible choice for smaller tents. Regular seeds preserve more breeding opportunity and may reveal unique expressions. Check germination policies, storage tips, and breeder reputation. If you buy cannabis seeds online, choose a reliable seed bank with transparent genetics and customer support. I look for accurate, non-hype descriptions and clear photos of finished flowers. Regional shipping rules vary, so always review local regulations before you buy cannabis seeds online; I can’t provide legal advice.
Indoor vs Outdoor, and Why I Often Grow Alien Kush Indoors
I frequently grow Alien Kush indoors because the canopy is easy to sculpt, the internode spacing cooperates with screens, and the terpene profile holds up under higher PPFD for flowering when VPD is dialed. To grow Alien Kush indoors effectively, lean on meters, keep air moving, and maintain that steady EC for coco grows if you’re in a hydroponic substrate. For newcomers learning to grow Alien Kush indoors, the cultivar’s forgiving nature keeps mistakes survivable.
Troubleshooting Guide
- Light stress: Canoed leaves, bleached tips. Lower PPFD for flowering by 10–15% and raise the fixture.
- Overfeeding: Burned tips and dark, clawed leaves. Reduce EC for coco grows by 0.2–0.3 mS/cm and flush lightly.
- Underfeeding: Pale color, slow growth. Increase EC for coco grows incrementally, then reassess runoff.
- Environment swings: Stretchy nodes or powdery mildew pressure. Re-dial to the VPD chart cannabis guidelines and improve dehumidification.
- Fluffy buds: Inadequate light at lower canopy. Apply those SCROG training tips earlier and even out the screen to grow Alien Kush indoors with complete light coverage.
Yield Expectations and Quality Targets
Yields depend on light intensity, plant count, veg length, and training discipline. Under 300–480 W quality LEDs in a 4×4, I’ve seen 400–500 g/m² when I combine a careful screen with a precise PPFD for flowering map. With stronger fixtures and CO₂, there’s room to push higher. Outdoors, large containers and full sun can produce hefty single plants provided you keep airflow and pests under control.
Terp Stewardship and Post-Harvest Housekeeping
Preserving pine-berry aromatics requires restraint in late bloom. Avoid heavy defoliation in the final two weeks and keep the room clean. Use disposable booties or a clean pair of indoor shoes at harvest. During curing, track jar humidity with mini hygrometers—boring but effective—so your drying and curing cannabis stays on target.
Cost-Saving Tips Without Cutting Corners
- Re-use coco after thorough wash and buffer cycles; Alien Kush doesn’t mind second-round coco if it’s clean and balanced.
- Build a simple PVC SCROG for cheap—another reason those SCROG training tips are budget-friendly and high impact.
- Buy a PAR meter with friends to split cost; hitting the right PPFD for flowering is the single most valuable optimization I’ve made.
Flavor, Effects, and Session Notes
In my jars, Alien Kush leans pine first, sweet herb second, then a berry-wood linger. The inhale is crisp, not cloying. The exhale is room-filling but not skunky. As always, individual response varies and tolerance matters. Start low, go slow, and enjoy the craftsmanship.
Quick Checklists
Pre-Flip Checklist
- Screen installed and 70% filled
- PPFD for flowering target verified at canopy
- VPD chart cannabis settings ready for stretch
- Irrigation tuned to achieve 10–20% runoff
- Fan leaves thinned just enough for airflow
- Nutrients prepared with the correct EC for coco grows
Harvest Checklist
- Loupe charged and clean
- Notes on harvest window trichomes from multiple colas
- Cool, dark dry room set to 17–19°C and 55–60% RH
- Clean trim station and labeled jars
- Patience for proper drying and curing cannabis
FAQ
How long is the Alien Kush flowering time indoors?
I’ve consistently finished indoors at 8–9 weeks. The Alien Kush flowering time can lean toward the early end with hybrid-leaning phenos and run closer to nine weeks with stockier expressions. Always confirm with your own harvest window trichomes.
What PPFD for flowering should I target with LEDs?
For Alien Kush I aim for 900–1,050 μmol/m²/s during peak bloom without added CO₂. If you enrich CO₂ and manage heat, you can test higher. A handheld meter keeps PPFD for flowering honest across the entire screen.
How do I use the VPD chart cannabis growers recommend?
Match your temperature and RH to a leaf-temperature-corrected VPD range. I stay near 0.9–1.2 kPa in veg and 1.2–1.6 kPa in bloom. The VPD chart cannabis references help keep uptake stable and reduce disease risk.
What EC for coco grows works best here?
I run 1.2–1.5 mS/cm in late veg, 1.6–1.8 during early bloom, and 1.8–2.1 mid-flower if plants are drinking well. Then I taper. Monitor runoff to keep EC for coco grows from creeping too high.
When should I harvest—what do I look for in the trichomes?
Use a loupe and check several sites. I harvest when the harvest window trichomes are mostly cloudy with a modest amber sprinkle. Check across the top and mid canopy for consistency.
Any SCROG training tips specific to Alien Kush?
Start early, weave gently, and keep the canopy flat. Re-tuck daily during stretch, then stop once the screen is full. These SCROG training tips let you grow Alien Kush indoors with even intensity and uniform ripening.
Where can I find Alien Kush seeds?
Look for breeders or vendors who show real photos, publish germination policies, and answer questions. If you buy cannabis seeds online, pick a reliable seed bank with solid support. Store Alien Kush seeds cool and dark until you’re ready.
How should I handle drying and curing cannabis for this cultivar?
Slow and steady in the 55–60% RH zone. Dry 9–12 days in the dark, then jar and burp. Good drying and curing cannabis preserves the pine-berry top notes Alien Kush is known for.
Final Take
If you appreciate clean pine with a berry-wood finish and a cooperative training response, Alien Kush belongs in your rotation. Keep environment stable, map PPFD for flowering, track your VPD chart cannabis targets, and respect the harvest window trichomes. Whether you prefer the control you get when you grow Alien Kush indoors or the big-sky vigor of a sunny backyard, this Alien Kush Grow Guide gives you a process you can run back to back for consistent, flavorful harvests.
