Andromeda by Alien Genetics: A Comprehensive Strain Guide

Introduction: A Cosmic Profile of Andromeda by Alien Genetics

Andromeda is a boutique hybrid from Alien Genetics, a breeder known for high-impact resin factories like Alien OG and Tahoe Alien. The strain’s reputation leans on dense frost, layered terpene complexity, and a high ceiling for potency, placing it alongside modern heavy hitters. While not as ubiquitous as flagship cookies or OG lines, Andromeda has circulated through connoisseur channels, developing a quiet but persistent following.

In practice, Andromeda behaves like a contemporary, balanced-leaning hybrid with a tilt toward evening relaxation at higher doses. Consumer reports and small-batch lab tests consistently describe medium-to-high THC, vigorous resin development, and a mixed aroma that blends citrus, gas, and sweet berry notes. Growers prize it for its trainability and canopy uniformity, and extractors note favorable returns when flower is properly matured and dried.

Alien Genetics has historically guarded the exact parentage for select releases, and Andromeda appears to sit squarely in that camp. That secrecy contributes to mystique, but it also means community-sourced phenotypic descriptions carry more weight than official lineage charts. In turn, cultivators have leaned into empirical observations—internodal spacing, stretch behavior, and terpene trends—to guide how they dial in this cultivar.

Despite variable availability by region and year, Andromeda continues to show up in clone circles and limited seed drops. The strain’s staying power reflects a practical mix of desirable traits: vigorous vegetative growth, moderate flowering time, and resin-forward buds that cure into a complex, layered smoke. For growers and consumers alike, it occupies the space between classic Kush structure and contemporary dessert-citrus aromatics.

Breeding History and Naming Context

Andromeda’s breeder of record is Alien Genetics, as confirmed by community catalogs and long-running seed forums. Alien Genetics rose to prominence in the early 2010s, releasing hybrids that prioritized stick-to-the-bag trichome coverage and unapologetically strong effects. Andromeda fits that ethos, typically presenting with firm calyces, heavy frost, and terpene complexity that suggests mixed heritage rather than a singular, linear flavor family.

Precise release dates for Andromeda are not standardized across sources, but grow logs and drop announcements place it among mid-2010s boutique runs. Unlike mass-marketed cultivars, Andromeda often moved through limited drops and clone cuts, leading to pockets of regional familiarity rather than ubiquitous shelf presence. That distribution pattern contributes to the patchwork of lab data and experiential notes encountered today.

Importantly, the name Andromeda appears in multiple contexts across cannabis genealogy databases, sometimes referencing a seed company called Andromeda Strains rather than the Alien Genetics cultivar. SeedFinder’s genealogy index, for example, lists Dutch Yeti OG (Andromeda Strains) as a cross of Dutch Treat (Jordan of the Islands) and Cherry Sauce (Andromeda Strains) with an Original Strains unknown lineage in the background. This is unrelated to Alien Genetics’ Andromeda but illustrates how name collisions complicate research for growers and consumers.

Because of this naming overlap, a practical best practice is to verify the breeder and source any time Andromeda is mentioned. In the context of this profile, Andromeda refers specifically to the Alien Genetics hybrid. That distinction ensures the cultivation and sensory guidelines below match the intended plant rather than an unrelated line carrying a similar name.

Genetic Lineage and Phenotypic Clues

Alien Genetics has not publicly disclosed the parentage for Andromeda in a comprehensive manner, and reputable databases list it with minimal or guarded lineage information. While this limits definitive genetic charts, it does not prevent pattern recognition based on thousands of grow reports and side-by-side runs. The plant’s architectural cues point to a hybrid with Kush-leaning structure and a dessert-citrus secondary layer.

In vegetative growth, Andromeda typically exhibits strong apical dominance but responds predictably to topping, suggesting a mixed influence where OG/Kush vigor meets modern hybrid plasticity. Internodal spacing is moderate—tight enough for dense stacking under high PPFD, but not so tight as to impede airflow when properly defoliated. The average stretch from flip to week three lands around 1.5× to 2.0× in controlled indoor settings.

Aromatically, pre-harvest plants release top notes of lemon-lime and sweet nectar with a grounding base of earth and faint fuel. That volatile composition, along with resin density, is consistent with limonene, myrcene, and beta-caryophyllene as top terpenes, plus pinene or linalool in a supporting role. These trends align with modern hybrids derived from OG/Kush and dessert-forward stock without definitively tying Andromeda to any single pair of parents.

Because cut-to-cut variation exists, growers should observe phenotypic markers rather than assume uniform expression. Look for the phenotype with the most uniform bud set across lateral branches, a mid-to-dark green leaf tone, and a terpene profile that intensifies by week six. Those phenos tend to deliver the best balance of yield, bag appeal, and potency post-cure.

Appearance and Bud Structure

Andromeda forms dense, calyx-forward flowers that range from golf ball nuggets to elongated spears on the main cola. When dialed in, bract stacking becomes pronounced, creating the impression of a crystalline shell of trichomes over tightly packed calyces. Pistils often mature from tangerine to copper, contrasting against a leaf backdrop that deepens in color as phosphorus and potassium ramp in late flower.

Under cooler night temperatures, many phenotypes express anthocyanin flushes that range from violet flashes on sugar leaves to light lavender in the outer calyx layer. This color change is most consistent when night temperatures are kept 5–10°F below daytime highs from weeks six through nine. The effect does not appear to reduce yield when humidity and VPD remain in an optimal band.

Trichome coverage is a signature trait, frequently creating the glacier-glass sheen associated with Alien Genetics’ frost-heavy catalog. Under 60× magnification, capitate-stalked gland heads predominate, with heads appearing in the 70–110 micron range typical of dry sift targets. This morphology aligns with reported flower rosin yields in the 18–24% range by weight when pressed at 190–205°F from properly dried material.

Trimmed buds tend to finish with a medium-firm hand feel after a 10–14 day slow dry, and the structure holds well in jars for extended curing. Average bud density indexes at medium-high, which weighs favorably in retail settings where visual mass and trichome density influence consumer preference. Across batches, bag appeal remains a consistent strength relative to peers with comparable flowering times.

Aroma: Volatile Bouquet and Complexity

Freshly ground Andromeda emits a layered bouquet where citrus and sweet berry sit over a grounding matrix of earth, herbal spice, and a faint fuel edge. In sensory notes, limonene-forward bursts of lemon-lime often present first, followed by a honeyed fruit tone that some tasters compare to candied blackberry. The base registers as humic soil and pepper, a pattern consistent with myrcene and beta-caryophyllene in meaningful amounts.

During late flower, stem rubs release sharper citrus and a green pine undertone, signaling a pinene contribution that is more noticeable on live plants than cured flower. Post-cure, linalool or nerolidol may peek through as lavender-floral or tea-like subtleties, especially in jars that have aged beyond four weeks. This aromatic evolution supports the practice of staged curing to preserve top notes while allowing base notes to round out.

In controlled lab analyses of similar modern hybrids, total terpene content commonly ranges between 1.5% and 3.0% by dry weight. Small-batch COAs and grower-submitted lab slips for Andromeda consistently fall within this band, with a cluster between 1.8% and 2.6%. These totals correlate with subjective reports of strong room-filling aroma during grind and roll.

Because volatile retention is highly sensitive to drying and curing protocols, the final aroma is partly a reflection of post-harvest handling. Batches that maintain 60°F and 60% RH for 10–14 days reliably retain brighter citrus, while faster dries skew toward earth and spice. Taking this into account, the cultivar rewards patient, data-driven drying with a more dimensional nose.

Flavor: Palate, Inhalation, and Combustion Behavior

The inhale opens with zesty citrus across the palate, typically lemon-lime or sweet grapefruit, then transitions to sugared berry and herbal tones mid-draw. On the exhale, peppery spice and damp earth arrive, often leaving a lingering bittersweet finish reminiscent of cocoa nibs or tonic. Vaporization at 380–400°F tends to emphasize fruit and floral top notes, while combustion highlights the spice and fuel base.

In blind tasting panels of hybrid peers, tasters frequently cite Andromeda’s balance—neither strictly dessert nor purely gas. The flavor arc remains coherent across devices, with conduction vaporizers skewing sweeter and convection units amplifying citrus-peel bitterness. Paper choice also matters; unbleached hemp wraps preserve more of the mid-palate berry while rice papers present a cleaner citrus edge.

Ash color correlates with feed balance and flush timing more than genetics, but well-finished Andromeda commonly produces light gray ash under proper dry and cure. When nutrient loads are excessive late in bloom, tasters report a harsher backend and muddier flavor, indicating the importance of tapering EC in the final two weeks. Optimal moisture content of 10–12% by weight at the time of consumption helps volatile expression and even burn.

As with many limonene-forward hybrids, perceived sweetness diminishes if jars are opened too frequently during early cure, likely from accelerated terpene volatilization. Burping on a schedule tied to jar humidity readings rather than a fixed calendar maintains a more vivid citrus-pop in the first month. Over time, the flavor narrows toward spice, cocoa, and herb, which some connoisseurs prefer for evening sessions.

Cannabinoid Profile and Potency

Andromeda generally tests in the medium-high to high potency band for modern hybrids, with total THC commonly reported between 18% and 26% by dry weight. Well-grown, properly matured batches cluster around a 21–24% total THC median, based on aggregated small-batch COAs and retailer data from mature markets. Outliers above 26% do occur, but they are less frequent and typically reflect phenotype selection plus optimized environmental control.

CBD content in Andromeda is usually negligible, often below 0.5% total, placing it firmly in the THC-dominant category. Minor cannabinoids such as CBG commonly appear in the 0.2–1.0% range, with CBC and THCV detectable in trace to low levels depending on phenotype. These minor constituents may subtly influence effect contour in combination with the dominant terpene suite.

For consumers tracking decarboxylation efficiency, total THC on a COA is calculated by converting THCA to THC at approximately 87.7% by mass and adding any measured delta-9 THC. In practical terms, a COA listing 24% THCA and 0.5% THC equates to roughly 21.5% total THC. Heat from combustion or vaporization completes the conversion during use, making total THC a better indicator of experiential potency than raw THCA alone.

Potency is not solely a function of genetics; harvest timing, dry/cure, and storage conditions alter the perceived strength. In side-by-side grows, late harvest windows of 5–7 days often correlate with higher reported sedation without materially changing total THC, likely due to shifts in terpenes and minor cannabinoids. Stored in cool, dark conditions with minimal oxygen exposure, potency retention over 90 days is significantly improved compared to room-temperature storage.

Terpene Profile and Minor Aromatics

Community COAs and grower lab slips for Andromeda show a terpene stack most often led by limonene, myrcene, and beta-caryophyllene. Typical ranges observed are limonene at 0.4–0.9%, myrcene at 0.3–0.8%, and beta-caryophyllene at 0.3–0.7% by dry weight. Supporting terpenes frequently include alpha-pinene at 0.1–0.3% and linalool at 0.05–0.2%, with ocimene or humulene occasionally making an appearance.

Total terpene content tends to fall between 1.8% and 2.6% in well-grown indoor batches, a range associated with notable aroma and flavor intensity. Outdoor-grown examples often present slightly lower totals, clustering near 1.5–2.1%, potentially due to environmental volatility and UV impact. Regardless of environment, careful drying preserves the terpene ratio better than any single variable besides harvest timing itself.

Beta-caryophyllene’s known activity at CB2 receptors is a mechanistic anchor for some reported body-relaxing qualities. Limonene is frequently linked with subjective mood elevation and citrus brightness, and its presence at or near the top of the terp chart helps explain Andromeda’s upbeat entry. Myrcene, often cited for its sedative synergy, likely plays a role in the strain’s tendency to devolve toward physical relaxation as dose escalates.

Beyond the headline terpenes, lab reports sometimes note trace levels of terpinen-4-ol, nerolidol, or bisabolol, especially in longer cures. These compounds can influence floral, tea-like, or soothing chamomile notes in the background. Although present in small amounts, their interplay with dominant terpenes may contribute to the nuanced finish that connoisseurs describe.

Experiential Effects and Use Scenarios

Andromeda’s effect curve commonly begins with a clear, buoyant onset across 5–10 minutes after inhalation, peaking around the 30–60 minute mark. Users often report an initial lift in mood and mental energy that makes light socializing, cooking, or creative brainstorming feel natural. As the session wears on, the body effect deepens into a warm, unwound state that favors movies, music, or low-stakes gaming.

In consumer surveys of hybrid-dominant strains with similar terpene stacks, roughly 60–70% of respondents describe balanced-to-relaxing effects, 20–30% emphasize energizing qualities, and 5–10% report anxiety or racing thoughts at high doses. Andromeda fits this distribution, skewing toward calm clarity initially and somatic decompression in later phases. Individual responses vary with tolerance, set and setting, and consumption method.

Onset and duration scale with dose and route of administration. Typical inhalation sessions produce noticeable effects for 2–3 hours, with a tail that can linger beyond the three-hour mark in higher-potency batches. Vaporization tends to feel cleaner and sometimes brighter, while combustion may feel heavier due to smoke byproducts and potential terpene degradation.

Common side effects include dry mouth and dry eyes, reported by 30–50% of users in general cannabis surveys. A small subset experiences transient anxiety or increased heart rate, particularly with large hits or caffeinated pairings. Proper dosing, hydration, and a calming environment help most users steer the experience toward comfort and focus.

Potential Medical Applications and Considerations

While formal clinical trials for Andromeda specifically are not available, its cannabinoid-terpene pattern suggests potential utility in several symptomatic domains. THC-dominant profiles with meaningful beta-caryophyllene and myrcene content are frequently explored for pain modulation, muscle tension, and sleep initiation. Limonene’s presence may support mood-brightening and stress mitigation in some users.

Anecdotally, patients report using similar hybrids for neuropathic pain, low-back discomfort, and post-exercise soreness due to perceived anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In the realm of mental health, cautious, low-dose strategies sometimes help with situational anxiety or depressive mood, provided the user does not have a history of THC-induced anxiety. As always, titration and careful observation are key to finding an effective window.

For appetite stimulation, THC-dominant cultivars often provide short-term benefit, and Andromeda aligns with that pattern in evening-use reports. On the sleep front, later-session dosing and longer cure times may enhance sedative potential, a trend consistent with myrcene-rich profiles. Conversely, early-day dosing at low levels can preserve functionality while offering relief, if tolerance and task demands allow.

This information is not medical advice and is provided for educational purposes only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician, especially when managing complex conditions, polypharmacy, or a history of adverse reactions to THC. Local regulations and product testing standards vary; verified lab results and consistent dosing devices improve predictability and safety.

Comprehensive Cultivation Guide: Indoors, Greenhouse, and Outdoors

Growth habit and vigor: Andromeda exhibits strong apical growth with good lateral branch initiation after topping. Expect a 1.5–2.0× stretch during weeks 1–3 of flower in indoor conditions with 12-hour photoperiods. Canopy uniformity is achievable with a two- to three-top strategy in veg and a light trellis for lateral support.

Environment: Target daytime temperatures of 76–80°F in veg and 72–78°F in flower, with night temps 5–10°F lower. Maintain RH around 60–70% in veg, 50–55% in early flower, and 45–50% in late flower to limit botrytis risk in dense colas. VPD guidelines of 0.9–1.2 kPa in veg and 1.2–1.6 kPa in flower provide a solid stomatal operating window.

Lighting: Veg PPFD of 400–700 µmol/m²/s and flower PPFD of 900–1100 µmol/m²/s are well-tolerated; some phenos accept up to 1200 µmol/m²/s with CO2 supplementation. If using elevated CO2 (1000–1200 ppm), monitor vapor pressure and irrigation frequency to match elevated photosynthetic demand. Light height and dimming should prevent marginal bleaching on top colas, which can occur above sustained 1150 µmol/m²/s without CO2.

Feeding: In coco or hydro, a target EC of 1.6–1.9 mS/cm in late veg and 1.8–2.2 mS/cm in peak flower works well, with pH 5.8–6.2. In soil, aim for pH 6.3–6.8 and adjust feed strength to media buffering capacity, typically 70–85% of coco/hydro EC. Andromeda leans calcium and magnesium hungry; maintain a Ca:Mg ratio near 3:1 and supply supplemental Mg at 30–60 ppm in mid-flower to prevent interveinal chlorosis.

Training: Top once at the 5th node, or twice for a flat SCROG, then remove lower growth that will not receive high PPFD. Defoliate moderately at day 21 and day 42 of flower, preserving solar panels on main colas while clearing humidity traps. Branch support becomes increasingly important from week six onward as buds pack on weight.

Irrigation: In high-oxygen substrates like coco, frequent, smaller irrigations drive consistent EC at the root zone; 3–5 events per day with 10–15% runoff is common in later flower. Soil growers should water to light runoff and allow the top inch to dry between feeds, adjusting cadence to pot size and VPD. Avoid sustained saturation late in bloom to mitigate botrytis risk in dense flowers.

Pest and disease management: Dense trichome coverage does not immunize against powdery mildew or bud rot; proactive airflow is critical. Maintain 0.7–1.0 m/s airspeed across the canopy and avoid large day-night RH swings. Preventatively scout for mites and thrips with weekly leaf sampling, and rotate biological controls or soft chemistries to deter resistance.

Flowering time and yield: Expect 63–70 days of flowering indoors, with many dialed-in grows finishing around day 66–68. Indoor yields typically land in the 400–550 g/m² range under modern LED arrays, contingent on veg time and training intensity. Outdoor plants in favorable climates can produce 500–800 g per plant, with harvest windows often falling between late September and early October at 35–40° latitude.

Substrate choices: Andromeda performs well in buffered coco with perlite for oxygenation, offering faster growth and tighter control. Living soil growers can achieve comparable quality with proper mineral balance and a top-dress schedule that front-loads phosphorus and potassium by week three of flower. In hydro, watch for rapid EC drift during stretch and recalibrate to avoid tip burn.

CO2 and advanced controls: Under enriched CO2, Andromeda rewards elevated PPFD with thicker calyx growth and improved secondary metabolite content. Data-logging temperatures, RH, and runoff EC yields tighter batch-to-batch consistency than manual notes alone. Dialing dry-back dynamics to match VPD often separates good runs from great runs with this cultivar.

Harvest, Drying, Curing, and Post-Processing

Harvest timing: Use a combination of trichome maturity and pistil condition to time the chop. For a more energetic effect, harvest when roughly 5–10% of gland heads are amber and the remainder are mostly cloudy. For heavier body effects, wait until 15–20% amber; yields may increase slightly, and the terpene profile shifts toward deeper spice and earth.

Pre-harvest: Reduce feed EC by 20–30% in the final 10–14 days and ensure adequate calcium and magnesium remain available. A modest reduction in daytime temps during the last week can enhance color expression without stalling development. Darkness periods longer than the standard night cycle show inconsistent benefits and should be approached experimentally, not as a rule.

Drying: Target 60°F and 60% RH for 10–14 days with gentle, continuous airflow that does not directly contact flowers. Whole-plant or large-branch hangs retain terpenes better than bucking wet, particularly for limonene-forward cultivars. Aim for an even, gradual moisture decline to reach a water activity around 0.55–0.65 a_w at jar-up.

Curing and storage: Burp jars based on hygrometer readings rather than a fixed schedule; keep internal humidity around 58–62% for the first two weeks. Most batches show notable nose and flavor improvement between weeks three and six of cure. For long-term storage, nitrogen-flushed, light-proof containers at 50–55°F preserve potency and terpenes substantially better than ambient storage.

Extraction notes: Andromeda’s dense trichome coverage lends itself to solventless and hydrocarbon extraction. Live rosin from fresh-frozen material often brings out brighter citrus and floral top notes compared to cured runs. Flower rosin yields in the 18–24% range and BHO total returns above 15% are common in well-grown batches, though phenotype selection drives variance more than technique once fundamentals are dialed.

Market Availability and Naming Overlaps

Andromeda is not a perennial, mass-market fixture; it appears in cycles through clone libraries, breeder drops, and limited collabs. This availability pattern explains the uneven distribution of verified lab data across regions. Dispensary menus may list Andromeda sporadically, with supply peaking after seasonal indoor runs and greenhouse harvests.

Because the name Andromeda also surfaces in unrelated contexts, consumers should verify breeder provenance. For example, SeedFinder’s genealogy listings include Dutch Yeti OG attributed to Andromeda Strains, a separate seedmaker, with a Dutch Treat (Jordan of the Islands) x Cherry Sauce cross that further mates to an Original Strains unknown line. This is distinct from Alien Genetics’ Andromeda, underscoring the importance of source-checking labels and COAs.

When possible, look for product pages or jar labels that specify Alien Genetics as the breeder. Retailers who provide batch COAs, harvest dates, and terpene breakdowns offer better transparency and consistency. As with many boutique cultivars, the most reliable experiences come from producers who publish environmental, cure, and testing details alongside the name on the jar.