Written by Ad OpsOverview and Naming
Apollo 11 Genius Pheno is a distinctive, mostly indica-leaning selection that highlights the famed Genius terpene signature within a compact, fast-finishing plant. Bred by Bodhi Seeds, this pheno marries classic, citrus-forward aromatics with an approachable growth habit and dense, resin-packed flowers. It is designed for growers and consumers who love the bright, electric nose associated with the Genius clone, but prefer a structure and flowering speed that are quintessentially indica.
The name telegraphs two things at once: Apollo 11, a storied lineage name in modern cannabis lore, and Genius, a legendary Jack Herer-derived clone that contributes a crystalline, terpinolene-driven bouquet. In this particular Bodhi Seeds selection, the Genius expression shows up most powerfully in the jar—lime peel, pine, sweet herbs—while the plant itself behaves more like an indica in the garden. The result is an uncommon combination of speedy finish, stout frame, and high terpene intensity.
While different breeders have carried forward the Apollo 11 banner over the years, Bodhi Seeds’ Genius Pheno is noteworthy for its careful emphasis on a keeper aroma profile paired to a compact plant. That emphasis shows up in its tight internodal spacing, high calyx-to-leaf ratio, and eye-catching resin production. For cultivators, it delivers a convincing balance of craft-quality terps with commercially friendly throughput.
History and Breeding Background
Bodhi Seeds is widely respected for deep pheno hunts and the ability to fix standout clone-only aromas into seed lines that perform consistently in real-world gardens. Apollo 11 Genius Pheno follows this pattern by centering a bright, terpinolene-forward bouquet and channeling it into a mostly indica, production-minded framework. Growers often note that the cut finishes faster than expected for a terp-rich profile, fitting 8–9 weeks of flowering in many setups, a hallmark of indica-leaning selections.
In public strain catalogs and sitemaps, Apollo 11 frequently appears as a recognized variety, reflecting how well-known the name has become among enthusiasts and archivists. For instance, CannaConnection’s sitemap lists Apollo 11 among its entries, illustrating the strain’s durable cultural footprint across databases and guide hubs. At the same time, genealogy tools sometimes contain incomplete or ambiguous entries; SeedFinder’s pages include “Unknown Strain” genealogies, a reminder that historic clone-only lines like Genius occasionally come with gaps in documented ancestry.
The Genius influence is typically associated with a bright, heady aroma and quick-onset cerebral clarity. Bodhi’s selection steers that aromatic brilliance into a denser, narrower frame that packs on weight while retaining a crisp, citrus-pine nose. The upshot is a phenotype that feels modern—high-THC potential, robust trichome coverage—yet accessible to intermediate growers who want top-tier terps without a long flowering cycle.
Genetic Lineage and Phenotypic Context
In broader cannabis lore, Apollo 11 has commonly been linked with the Genius clone (a celebrated Jack Herer selection) as a key aroma driver. Within that context, the Apollo 11 Genius Pheno emphasizes the Genius side’s terpene character—especially terpinolene—while the plant’s growth traits lean toward an indica architecture. The result is a cultivar that looks like an Afghan-influenced hybrid but smells like a sparkling, citrusy, Jack Herer derivative.
While various seedmakers have released Apollo 11 lines over time, the Bodhi Seeds Genius Pheno should be understood as a targeted selection with a defined sensory outcome. Notably, most indica heritage in this phenotype expresses as shorter stature, thicker lateral branching, and quicker finishing. That structural character contrasts with the Genius-leaning, high-clarity nose that many associate with sativa-forward profiles.
It is precisely this tension—indica horticulture paired to Genius aromatics—that gives the selection its appeal. Growers can expect an easy-to-manage canopy and consistent stacking, while consumers encounter citrus zest, pine-limón cleaner, and sweet herbal facets. The phenotype’s balance lends itself to both connoisseur jars and efficient, repeatable production schedules.
Appearance and Morphology
Apollo 11 Genius Pheno typically presents as a medium-height plant indoors, reaching about 80–120 cm under moderate vegetative periods. Internodal spacing is tight, allowing for dense cola formation with minimal stretch during early flower (often 0.8–1.3x). The fan leaves are broad with a dark, glossy green hue, and petioles are moderately stout—classic indicators of an indica-leaning frame.
Bud formation trends toward conical, chunky colas with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio, making post-harvest trimming relatively efficient. Under strong LED lighting, resin glands are abundant and visibly bulbous, giving the flowers a frost-dusted appearance by week five. Trichome heads are prominent, with many plants showing a dense distribution of capitate-stalked glands ideal for solventless extraction.
Pistils typically begin a vibrant peach to tangerine and mature to a deep amber or rust-brown by harvest. If night temperatures are allowed to drop 4–6°C in late flower, some phenotypes may exhibit faint anthocyanin blushes along the sugar leaves. Overall, the bag appeal is high: tight buds that feel heavy for their size, with minimal larf when the canopy is managed well.
Aroma and Flavor
The nose opens with crystalline citrus—think fresh lime zest and sweet lemon—quickly followed by pine needles, clean herbs, and a faint floral lift. This profile aligns with Genius-influenced, terpinolene-forward plants, but here it rides over a subtle, grounding backdrop of earth and tea from myrcene. Cracked buds can show a surprising splash of green apple or pear candy before resolving back to zesty citrus and pine.
On the palate, the first impression is citrus oil and light pine resin, followed by a delicate, sweet herbal finish that lingers. Vaporization at lower temperatures (175–190°C) keeps the fruit and floral facets in focus, while higher temperatures (200–210°C) bring out the spice and woody tea notes. The aftertaste is clean and slightly sweet, with a calming pine-forest finish that persists for several minutes.
In well-cured examples, the aroma can leap from the jar with notable intensity, especially when total terpene content lands in the 1.8–3.0% range by dry weight. Humidity-controlled curing tends to preserve the citrus top notes and reduce harshness in the piney mid-range. Consumers consistently describe the bouquet as bright, fresh, and clearly “Genius,” even as the plant itself grows like an indica.
Cannabinoid Profile
Apollo 11 Genius Pheno is generally a high-THC cultivar when grown under optimal conditions, with indoor flower commonly testing in the 18–24% THC range by dry weight. Dialed-in gardens—strong light, proper VPD, and meticulous feeding—can push select phenotypes toward 25–27% THC. CBD is typically low (<0.5%), while minor cannabinoids like CBG often appear in the 0.5–1.5% range.
THCV tends to register as a trace constituent (approximately 0.1–0.3%), though this can vary by environment and harvest timing. Total cannabinoids often land around 20–28%, depending on phenotype and cultural practices. Extraction-focused growers report solventless rosin yields in the 18–24% range from premium flower, with hash-friendly cuts hitting 3–5% yield from properly frozen fresh material.
For dosing context, inhaled THC starts to show perceptible effects around 2–5 mg for sensitive individuals, with most users finding 5–10 mg inhaled to be a moderate experience. Edible onset is slower and the body load more pronounced; 2.5–5 mg is a prudent starting range for edibles with this cultivar due to its relatively high THC and terpene synergy. As always, lab verification is advised for any production lot, as chemotype distribution can drift subtly with environment and post-harvest practices.
Terpene Profile
The terpene backbone is typically led by terpinolene, often comprising a strong plurality of the terpene fraction in Genius-expressive cuts. In well-grown flowers, total terpenes frequently register in the 1.8–3.0% range by dry weight, with terpinolene commonly observed at 0.3–1.0% absolute. Supporting terpenes include myrcene (approximately 0.5–1.2%), limonene (0.3–0.8%), beta-caryophyllene (0.3–0.7%), and ocimene (0.1–0.4%).
Pinene is often present in both alpha- and beta- forms at low-to-moderate levels (0.1–0.3% combined), contributing to the forest-fresh, clarifying top note. Linalool tends to be minor (0.05–0.15%), lending a gentle floral facet without dominating. This arrangement—terpinolene-driven with limonene, myrcene, and caryophyllene as key supports—produces the bright citrus-pine-herb triad characteristic of Genius while retaining a soothing, grounded finish.
From an experiential standpoint, terpinolene and limonene correlate with an alert, uplifting onset, while myrcene and caryophyllene add body relaxation and warmth as the session progresses. The balance here is what makes the pheno versatile: it energizes the senses without feeling brittle or racy, then settles into an easy, indica-leaning comfort. Growers aiming to push terp expression should prioritize steady environmental conditions and careful dry/cure to stabilize these highly volatile compounds.
Experiential Effects
Inhaled effects typically arrive quickly—often within 1–3 minutes—with a sparkling, clear lift behind the eyes and temples. Early in the session, focus and mood brightening tend to dominate, matching the terpinolene-limonene signal. After 30–45 minutes, a calm, relaxing body sensation usually blooms, reflecting the cultivar’s mostly indica heritage.
The duration of subjective effects for smoked or vaporized flower commonly spans 2–3 hours, with the last hour characterized by pronounced physical ease and a gentle mental taper. At higher doses, some individuals report a powerfully immersive body feel that encourages stillness or creative deep work. The balance of clarity up front and comfort on the back end makes this cultivar flexible for daytime or early evening use, depending on dose.
For many, the sweet spot is a modest inhaled dose that captures the fresh, Genius-like focus without leading into couch-lock. Those with lower THC tolerance should start conservatively, as the cultivar’s bright, expansive onset can feel strong if overconsumed. Users prone to anxiety may find the indica-leaning finish tempering, but they should still approach with a measured dose and calm set-and-setting.
Potential Medical Uses
This phenotype’s terpene and cannabinoid composition suggests potential utility for stress modulation, mood uplift, and experiential clarity, especially in the first hour after consumption. Limonene has been studied for anxiolytic potential in preclinical settings, and beta-caryophyllene is a known CB2 agonist that may support anti-inflammatory pathways. Many patients describe relief for generalized stress and tension, followed by a soothing body relaxation that doesn’t immediately short-circuit motivation.
For pain-focused use, the late-session body comfort can be helpful with non-severe musculoskeletal aches and post-exercise soreness. Some migraine sufferers report benefit from terpinolene-forward cultivars with clean, pine-citrus aromatics, though this varies significantly by individual. Appetite stimulation is typical at higher doses due to robust THC expression.
As with all cannabis applications, individual response varies, and controlled clinical data for this specific phenotype are limited. Patients should consult a medical professional, start with low doses, and track outcomes over several sessions. None of the above constitutes medical advice, and contraindications—such as THC sensitivity or a history of panic—should be carefully considered.
Cultivation Guide: Environment and Growth
Apollo 11 Genius Pheno is friendly to small spaces thanks to its compact, indica-leaning structure. Indoors, a 3–5 week vegetative phase under 18/6 lighting typically produces sturdy bushes ready for a clean flip to 12/12. Expect modest stretch of roughly 0.8–1.3x in the first two weeks of flower, making canopy control straightforward even in tents.
Target environmental ranges are similar to many resin-forward hybrids. In veg, aim for 24–28°C daytime and 20–22°C nighttime with 55–65% RH; in early flower, 22–26°C daytime and 18–20°C nighttime with 45–55% RH; in late flower, 21–24°C daytime and 17–19°C nighttime with 40–45% RH. VPD targets of 0.9–1.2 kPa in flower help drive gas exchange without over-drying the canopy.
Lighting intensity of 300–500 µmol·m−2·s−1 PPFD in veg and 800–1,000 µmol·m−2·s−1 in flower provides a strong baseline. If supplementing CO2 at 1,000–1,200 ppm, PPFD can be pushed to 1,100–1,300 with careful irrigation management. Keep air movement even but gentle across the canopy to protect trichomes while resisting microclimates that favor botrytis in dense colas.
In media, the cultivar performs well in quality coco, living soil, or recirculating hydro, provided pH is held steady. Recommended pH: 5.7–6.0 in hydro/coco and 6.3–6.8 in soil. Electrical conductivity can range from 0.8–1.2 mS/cm in early veg to 1.6–2.2 mS/cm in mid/late flower, stepping down slightly during the final 10 days for a clean finish.
Cultivation Guide: Training, Feeding, and IPM
Because the plant stacks quickly and doesn’t over-stretch, simple training goes a long way. Top once or twice during veg to create 4–8 primary tops, then apply low-stress training to even the canopy. A single-layer SCROG net deployed at the flip helps maintain a uniform ceiling and supports bulbous colas in weeks 6–9.
Defoliation should be moderate and targeted. Strip lower interior growth 3–5 days before flip and again around day 21 to improve airflow and light penetration without shocking the plant. Avoid aggressive late-flower defoliation; resin heads are abundant and can be damaged by heavy handling.
Feed a balanced program with slight nitrogen restraint at the start of flower, then increase potassium and sulfur through weeks 4–7 to support terpene synthesis. Calcium and magnesium are critical under high-intensity LED; many growers will supplement 100–150 ppm Ca and 40–60 ppm Mg in coco or inert systems. Integrated Pest Management should include weekly scouting, yellow/blue sticky cards, and periodic biologicals (e.g., Bacillus subtilis for foliar disease suppression, and predatory mites like Amblyseius swirskii for thrips/whitefly in preventative programs).
Bodhi Seeds commonly releases regular seeds, so plan for sexing unless you’ve sourced verified feminized stock. For regular seeds, identify preflowers around weeks 4–6 of veg or during early flower under 12/12. Keep mother plants of your favorite keeper for consistent runs, as phenotype expression can vary in seed populations.
Flowering Time, Harvest Window, and Ripeness Cues
Under standard indoor conditions, flowering typically runs 56–63 days, with many cuts showing peak ripeness around day 60. Gardeners seeking a slightly brighter, more energizing effect may harvest toward the earlier end when trichomes are mostly cloudy with minimal amber. Those wanting a deeper body effect can allow an extra 5–7 days for more amber development.
Ripeness should be gauged primarily by trichomes under magnification rather than pistil color, which is less reliable. A balanced harvest point often shows roughly 70–80% cloudy heads, 10–15% amber, and the remainder clear. Aroma intensity usually peaks in the final 10 days as calyxes swell and resin matures.
Flush strategies vary by medium and philosophy. In coco or hydro, many growers taper EC in the last 7–10 days to finish around 0.4–0.8 mS/cm; in living soil, simply water-to-runoff practices and a solid microbial community can deliver a clean finish without abrupt nutrient withdrawal. The key is consistent irrigation and environment during the last two weeks to stabilize terpene volatility.
Drying, Curing, and Post-Harvest Handling
Aim for a slow dry to protect terpenes and preserve the lime-pine top notes. A 10–14 day dry at approximately 15–18°C and 58–62% RH (“60/60” as a common shorthand) typically produces excellent results. Gentle airflow in the dry space helps prevent moisture pockets without accelerating dehydration.
Once stems snap rather than bend, trim and jar the flowers with humidity packs to stabilize around 58–62% RH during cure. Burp jars daily for the first week, then taper to every other day for weeks 2–3. A 3–6 week cure significantly rounds the piney mid-tones and refines the citrus while smoothing the finish.
For extraction, freezing fresh material at harvest and washing within 7–14 days captures the vibrant top notes extremely well. Solventless processors often report 3–5% ice-water hash yields on fresh frozen from resin-rich cuts of this pheno. Pressed rosin typically ranges 18–24% return from well-grown, properly cured flower.
Yield and Quality Metrics
In dialed-in indoor gardens, expect 450–600 g/m² under 600–1000 W-equivalent LED or HPS lighting, using a 9–12 plant count per square meter in SOG or a 4–6 plant SCROG. Skilled growers leveraging high PPFD and supplemental CO2 report 600–750 g/m², especially when canopy is dense, uniform, and supported. Outdoors or in greenhouses, single plants in 30–50 L containers can produce 500–900 g with season-long management and strong integrated pest control.
Bud density is notably high, which translates to excellent bag appeal and transport durability. High calyx-to-leaf ratios improve trim speed and reduce labor minutes per gram—a non-trivial advantage in commercial rooms. Total terpene content commonly falls in the 1.8–3.0% range by weight, with top-shelf examples exceeding 3% under organic-rich or living-soil programs.
End quality scores from buyers and budtenders often hinge on the clarity of the Genius citrus-pine signature, the absence of harshness, and visual trichome coverage. Producers should maintain rigorous environmental controls during late flower and dry/cure to protect these metrics. For compliance, regular third-party testing for potency, residual solvents (where relevant), microbial counts, and heavy metals is recommended, especially in regulated markets.
Comparisons, Use Cases, and Breeding Notes
Compared to classic Jack Herer expressions and other Genius-leaning cuts, Apollo 11 Genius Pheno is shorter, wider, and faster, making it easier to run in small tents or tight vertical racks. The aroma is bright and unmistakably terpinolene-forward, similar to varieties like Dutch Treat or some Jack selections, but with more ballast from myrcene and caryophyllene. For consumers, it offers a clearer, peppier onset than many kush lines while retaining an indica-comfort finish.
Ideal use cases include daytime creative tasks at light doses, social settings where mood lift and clarity are prized, and unwinding routines that benefit from a late-session body ease. In the kitchen, the citrus and pine translate well to low-temperature vaporization and to solventless concentrates that preserve the top notes. For edibles, note that the cultivar’s high THC may overdeliver; microdosing is advised.
Breeding projects that aim to preserve the terpinolene sparkle while stabilizing structure can find a cooperative partner here. Crossing to broadleaf-leaning males with proven botrytis tolerance can further reinforce density without sacrificing speed. To amplify the citrus layer, pair with limonene-dominant lines; to deepen spice and structure, explore Afghan-influenced caryophyllene carriers.
As a final contextual note, the visibility of Apollo 11 across public resources underscores the name’s legacy—CannaConnection catalogs it among notable strains, while genealogy aggregators like SeedFinder also highlight how some historic lines contain undocumented segments. That blend of legacy and mystery is part of what makes the Genius narrative compelling. Bodhi Seeds’ Apollo 11 Genius Pheno captures the best of that story—bright terps, practical growing—and makes it accessible to today’s cultivators.
