Written by Ad OpsHistory and Breeding Context
Kidney Stone is a boutique hybrid bred by ThugPug Genetics, the Michigan-based house best known for cultivar hits like Peanut Butter Breath and Meat Breath. The breeder’s catalog is celebrated among connoisseurs for dense resin, complex funk-forward bouquets, and sturdy hybrid vigor. Within that lineage of excellence, Kidney Stone emerged as a limited-release phenotype project that quickly earned word-of-mouth attention in private gardens and caregiver circles.
While public documentation for Kidney Stone is sparse, the consensus is clear that it belongs to ThugPug’s indica sativa heritage, balancing body-heavy calm with bright mental clarity. ThugPug Genetics often works with Breath family lines and OGKB-influenced material, producing plants with thick calyxes and terpene profiles rich in caryophyllene, myrcene, and limonene. Kidney Stone appears to carry that house style forward, favoring big-gland trichome coverage and a punchy, layered aroma.
ThugPug Genetics gained renown in the late 2010s and early 2020s for consistent breeder selections and a willingness to release regular seeds aimed at serious phenotype hunters. In that era, growers routinely reported top-shelf resin uniformity and a keeper rate in the range of roughly 10 to 25 percent when popping full packs. Kidney Stone’s reputation grew in the same ecosystem, with growers remarking on its strong nose and reliably dense flowers.
As with many boutique genetics of the period, the strain’s early distribution leaned toward private trades, small-batch seed drops, and caregiver clones. This meant that publicly available analytical data was limited compared to large commercial strains, even as community enthusiasm rose. Nevertheless, a pattern of robust growth, high oil density, and hybrid-leaning effects made Kidney Stone a sought-after project for home cultivators looking for that signature ThugPug funk and finish.
Genetic Lineage and Inheritance
ThugPug has not publicly confirmed the exact parentage of Kidney Stone, and most sources list the lineage as undisclosed or proprietary. Based on the breeder’s body of work, many growers infer shared ancestry with Breath and OGKB lines, which are known to produce chunky flowers, copious resin, and a savory-earthy terpene base. This inference does not constitute a confirmed pedigree, but it offers a practical framework for cultivation and selection expectations.
Breath-influenced hybrids often pass down shorter to medium internodal spacing, a moderate stretch of roughly 1.25x to 1.75x in flower, and a notable tolerance for heavier feeding late in bloom. OGKB-leaning components tend to layer on doughy, nutty, and spice-driven aromas alongside a soothing, body-forward effect profile. Kidney Stone reflects these traits in many gardens, with growers consistently reporting hefty calyx development and an aroma that swings from earthy to sharp and gassy.
From an inheritance standpoint, the strain behaves like a balanced hybrid that can be steered with environment and training. Cooler late-flower temperatures often coax out deep jade and plum accents, while warmer nights emphasize lime green tones and a more pungent nose. Phenotypic spread is typical of regular seed lines, so running multiple seeds improves the odds of capturing a standout keeper with the exact resin structure and terpene emphasis you prefer.
Because the exact parents are not publicly documented, it is wise to treat each pack of Kidney Stone as a phenotype hunt. Pop 6 to 12 seeds if space allows, and track metrics like stretch factor, node spacing, trichome density per square millimeter, and terpene intensity on light stem rub. Expect a keeper rate around 10 to 20 percent for connoisseur standards, aligning with anecdotal rates reported for many ThugPug projects.
Appearance
Kidney Stone typically produces dense, golf-ball to egg-shaped buds with thick, overlapping calyxes and minimal leaf. The flowers display a rich olive base with dark lime highlights, occasionally showing lavender or plum streaks in cooler rooms below 70 F night temperatures. Pistils run from copper to tawny orange as maturation advances, weaving tightly into the bud rather than bursting outward.
Trichome coverage is a standout feature, forming a glassy frost that blurs the bud surface and coats sugar leaves with macro-visible heads. Under a 60x loupe, expect to see fat capitate-stalked glands with bulbous heads and relatively short stalks, a morphology commonly linked with high oil density. Heads often ripen from clear to cloudy with a moderate amber transition, providing a broad harvest window for effect tuning.
Bud structure leans firm and stackable, especially on well-managed tops in a SCROG or properly topped plant. The lower minor branches can produce respectable satellites if given adequate PPFD and airflow, but the strain shines when you prioritize strong main sites. Colas can become heavy by week 7 to 9 of flowering, and staking is recommended to prevent lodging.
Dried flowers cure down to tight, resinous nuggets that grind with a waxy feel and an audible snap when appropriately dried at 60 F and 58 to 62 percent RH. Trichome heads remain visible even after trim, often leaving kief on jars and grinders within a few uses. The visual appeal is boutique grade, with a bag appeal factor that reliably draws attention in mixed jars.
Aroma
The aroma of Kidney Stone is complex and layered, presenting an earthy mineral base with sharp high notes that suggest fuel and citrus. Initial jar opens often deliver a cool, stony impression, followed by skunky spice and a faint nutty sweetness. On a fresh grind, the bouquet intensifies into gas, pepper, and a subtle herbal menthol.
As the flowers warm in the hand, deeper secondary notes emerge, including damp forest floor, toasted herbs, and faint dough. In phenotypes with stronger Breath influence, a buttery, almost umami tone can round the edges of the gas. In brighter cuts, limonene-like citrus peel can lead the top end, sometimes with a zesty lime cleaner quality.
During late flowering, the room can be notably pungent, and odor control is essential. A properly sized carbon filter rated at roughly 300 to 450 CFM for a 4x4 tent is typically sufficient, though 6 inch filters often provide better scrubbing headroom. Post-cure, the nose stabilizes into a confident mix of stone, fuel, and spice, with occasional minty lift on the exhale.
Flavor
Kidney Stone’s flavor follows its aroma, anchoring to an earthy, mineral core complemented by fuel-forward top notes. The first draw is typically smooth and cool, with a peppery tickle at the back of the throat that suggests caryophyllene content. On the exhale, the profile blooms into citrus zest and faint herbal menthol, leaving a lingering stony dryness on the palate.
In glass or clean ceramic, subtle sweetness appears as the bowl progresses, balancing the gas with a light doughy undertone. In joints, the flavor tends to be bolder and more skunky by mid-burn, reflecting the strain’s high-oil character. Vaporization accentuates the citrus-herbal layer between 370 and 390 F, often yielding the clearest sense of its tertiary notes.
The finish is persistent, with a mineral echo that pairs well with sparkling water or unsweetened tea. Terpene retention improves markedly with a slow dry and a 3 to 6 week cure, which can enhance perceived sweetness by 10 to 20 percent based on blind tasting feedback in enthusiast circles. Overall, the experience is savory-gassy first, with a crisp top end that keeps the profile from feeling heavy.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency Data
Because Kidney Stone is a boutique cultivar with limited public lab records, exact potency varies by phenotype and grow conditions. Reports from experienced caregivers and small-batch growers suggest THCA commonly falls in the mid to high 20s by percentage when grown indoors under high-intensity LEDs, with finished THC typically landing around 20 to 26 percent after decarboxylation. Trace CBD is the norm in these lines, usually below 1 percent, with minor cannabinoids like CBG often in the 0.3 to 1.0 percent range and CBC around 0.1 to 0.3 percent.
For practical dosing, a 1.0 gram joint at 22 percent THC contains roughly 220 mg total THC potential before combustion losses. Typical inhalation delivery efficiency ranges from 20 to 37 percent in real-world use, implying an absorbed dose around 44 to 81 mg spread over the session. A single 3 second draw from a joint or vape often delivers approximately 2 to 5 mg of THC, depending on device and user technique.
Flowering conditions strongly influence potency. Increasing average PPFD from 600 to 900 and dialing in VPD can elevate both THCA and total terpene content, although overshooting light intensity without CO2 supplementation may stall photosynthesis and reduce net gains. Balanced nutrition, stable root zone pH, and proper late-flower environmental control often produce more consistent cannabinoid outcomes than simply chasing maximum light.
Edible conversions from flower should account for decarboxylation efficiency, which typically falls between 70 and 90 percent in home ovens. At 22 percent THC and 80 percent decarb efficiency, 1 gram of flower can yield approximately 176 mg of activated THC before infusion losses. Infusion efficiency varies widely by method but commonly lands between 60 and 85 percent, leaving a realistic edible yield of 105 to 150 mg per gram of flower.
Terpene Profile and Chemistry
While verified terpene panels for Kidney Stone are limited, the sensory footprint and ThugPug lineage suggest a dominant triad of myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and limonene, with supporting roles for humulene, linalool, and ocimene. In similar hybrid funk-forward cultivars, total terpene content often measures between 1.5 and 3.0 percent by dry weight indoors, with boutique outliers reaching 3.5 to 4.5 percent under ideal conditions. By comparison, industry surveys have reported median terpene levels around 1.5 percent in commercial indoor flower, making Kidney Stone’s potential squarely top-shelf when dialed.
Myrcene contributes to the earthy base and can enhance perceived body heaviness, potentially synergizing with THC to accelerate onset. Beta-caryophyllene lends peppery spice and engages CB2 receptors, a property linked with anti-inflammatory signaling in preclinical models. Limonene drives the citrus top end and is often associated with alertness and mood elevation when paired with moderate THC concentrations.
Humulene adds a dry, herbal counterpoint that can temper sweetness, while linalool introduces a faint floral-camphor thread that some phenotypes express as menthol. Minor terpenes like ocimene may account for fleeting green, sweet, or slightly tropical flares on the first few puffs. During vaporization, terpene release tends to peak between 350 and 395 F, and exceeding 410 F can diminish flavor persistence through rapid volatilization and oxidation.
Grow-side, environmental choices can swing terpene outcomes by 20 to 40 percent. Keeping late-flower canopy temperatures at or below 78 F, reducing night temps by 3 to 6 F, and maintaining VPD in the 1.1 to 1.4 kPa range often preserves volatile fractions. A slow dry at 60 F and 60 percent RH for 10 to 14 days minimizes terpene loss and helps lock in the nuanced mineral-gas balance that defines the strain.
Experiential Effects
Kidney Stone presents as a balanced hybrid with an upfront mental lift followed by steady, body-centered calm. Onset from inhalation is rapid, commonly within 2 to 4 minutes, with peak effects arriving at 15 to 25 minutes. The headspace is clear but immersive, often described as quietly focused rather than racing or racy.
As the session continues, body relaxation deepens, easing shoulder and neck tension and settling into a tranquil baseline without heavy couchlock at moderate doses. At higher intake levels, sedation increases, and many users report a lull toward the 60 to 90 minute mark. Appetite stimulation is common, kicking in around 30 to 45 minutes after onset.
Functional windows vary by tolerance, but a typical trajectory is 2 to 3 hours for noticeable effects from smoked or vaped flower. Newer consumers may experience a longer tail, while high-tolerance users sometimes re-dose before the 90 minute mark to maintain focus. Pairing with hydration and a light snack can smooth the landing and reduce the chance of lightheadedness in sensitive users.
Adverse effects track with high-THC norms. Dry mouth is frequently reported and can affect 30 to 50 percent of users in informal surveys, while dry eyes may appear in 15 to 30 percent of sessions. Anxiety or transient heart race can emerge at high doses, affecting a minority of users, often below 10 percent, and is best managed by conservative titration and calm breathing.
Potential Medical Uses
The cannabinoid-terpene ensemble in Kidney Stone lends itself to several potential therapeutic applications, though evidence should be considered preliminary and individualized. The THC-forward profile, with supportive beta-caryophyllene and myrcene, suggests utility for short-term analgesia and muscle relaxation. Patients commonly explore such hybrids for stress modulation, pre-sleep calming, and appetite support.
Anti-inflammatory signals via CB2 engagement from beta-caryophyllene may complement the analgesic lift of THC, potentially aiding conditions with inflammatory components. Myrcene’s sedative synergy with THC may support sleep onset when used in the evening, particularly in phenotypes with higher total terpene content above 2 percent. Limonene’s mood-brightening character can assist with situational anxiety, provided dosing remains moderate to avoid overstimulation.
Nausea reduction is a frequently cited benefit of THC-dominant flower, with practical relevance for patients in chemotherapy or with cyclic nausea patterns. For individuals with migraines or tension headaches, the fast onset and body relaxation can be valuable, although sensitivities to strong aromas should be considered. Topical or sublingual applications from strain-specific extracts might provide additional targeted relief with lower psychoactivity depending on formulation.
Despite its name, Kidney Stone the cannabis strain is not a treatment for nephrolithiasis and should not be used as such. People with kidney concerns should maintain excellent hydration because THC can reduce salivary flow and subjective thirst regulation, indirectly encouraging dehydration in some cases. Always consult a medical professional, especially if taking medications with known cytochrome P450 interactions, as THC and terpenes can affect drug metabolism in meaningful ways.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Kidney Stone performs well indoors and in greenhouses, with outdoor success in climates offering a stable, dry late season. Expect a flowering time of roughly 8 to 10 weeks from the 12 and 12 flip, with many phenotypes finishing between days 60 and 70. Stretch tends to be moderate at 1.25x to 1.75x, allowing controlled canopy management in tents and small rooms.
Germination is straightforward at 75 to 80 F and 70 to 85 percent RH, with most viable seeds cracking within 24 to 72 hours. Plant into a lightly amended medium with an EC around 0.6 to 0.9 during early seedling stages. Maintain gentle light intensity at 200 to 300 PPFD to prevent stretching without stressing young tissues.
Vegetative growth is steady and benefits from topping at the fifth or sixth node, followed by low stress training to open the interior. In a 4x4 foot tent, 4 to 6 topped plants can fill a SCROG net with a 3 to 4 week veg, while 2 larger plants can produce comparable yields with 5 to 6 weeks. Keep day temps at 76 to 82 F, nights at 68 to 72 F, and RH at 55 to 65 percent for optimal leaf expansion.
Lighting should scale from 300 to 500 PPFD in late veg to 750 to 900 PPFD in mid to late flower for non CO2 rooms. If supplementing CO2 to 900 to 1200 ppm, PPFD can be pushed to 1000 to 1200, provided leaf temps are dialed near 82 to 85 F with VPD at 1.1 to 1.4 kPa. Target a daily light integral of 30 to 45 mol per square meter per day in veg and 40 to 55 in flower.
Nutrient management responds well to a balanced approach. In coco or hydro, maintain root zone pH at 5.7 to 6.0; in soilless peat or soil, 6.2 to 6.8 is ideal. EC can track 1.2 to 1.6 in veg, rising to 1.8 to 2.2 in peak bloom; watch leaf tips and run-off to avoid salt buildup.
Nitrogen should taper as flowers form, shifting emphasis to phosphorus and potassium. A common ratio by the label is N P K of roughly 1 2 2 in early flower and 1 3 3 by week 5 to 6, though real-world uptake depends on media and environment. Calcium and magnesium support are crucial under LED lighting; 100 to 150 ppm Ca and 50 to 75 ppm Mg often prevent interveinal chlorosis and tip burn.
Irrigation frequency should follow pot size and medium. In coco at 70 to 80 percent air-filled porosity, smaller, more frequent irrigations to 10 to 20 percent run-off reduce EC drift and maintain steady oxygenation. In living soil, aim for thorough waterings with dryback to 50 to 60 percent pot weight before rewatering, and keep microbial life thriving with teas or inoculants.
Training and canopy control are key for Kidney Stone’s dense cola development. Top once or twice, set a SCROG net at 8 to 12 inches above the pot rim, and spread laterals evenly to establish 8 to 14 productive tops per plant. Defoliate lightly in weeks 2 and 4 of flower to clear lower sites and improve airflow without over-stripping fans that drive photosynthesis.
Environmental control during flowering protects both yield and quality. Early flower RH of 50 to 60 percent encourages pistil development, stepping down to 45 to 50 percent mid-flower and 40 to 45 percent late flower to reduce botrytis risk. Keep canopy temps around 76 to 80 F, and consider a 3 to 6 F night drop to promote color and terpene retention.
Odor management is important, as the strain can be pungent. A 6 inch carbon filter with an authentic rated CFM above the fan’s actual speed provides a safety margin for terpene spikes late bloom. Negative pressure in the tent and sealed ducting prevent leaks that cause house-wide aroma issues.
Pest and disease management follows integrated pest management best practices. Begin with clean starts, quarantine incoming clones for 10 to 14 days, and use beneficials like Neoseiulus californicus as a preventative against mites. Rotate contact-safe sprays such as horticultural oils or Beauveria bassiana in veg, but avoid foliar applications past week 2 of flower to protect trichomes.
Common risks include powdery mildew in dense canopies and bud rot in thick colas late bloom. Maintain strong horizontal airflow with oscillating fans, target 0.3 to 0.5 meters per second across the canopy, and avoid cold surfaces that create condensation. Prune inner larf early to remove microclimates where PM and botrytis thrive.
Harvest timing depends on your effect goals. For a brighter, more energetic profile, harvest around mostly cloudy trichomes with 5 to 10 percent amber. For a deeper, more sedative outcome, wait for 10 to 20 percent amber while ensuring no significant degradation or terpene loss.
Post-harvest, dry slowly at 60 F and 60 percent RH for 10 to 14 days until stems snap and buds feel paper-dry on the exterior. Expect weight loss of 25 to 30 percent from fresh trimmed buds to properly dried flower. Cure in airtight jars or bins, starting with daily burps for 10 minutes and targeting a stable 58 to 62 percent internal RH for 3 to 6 weeks.
Yield potential is strong for a dense hybrid. Indoors, 450 to 700 grams per square meter is realistic under 700 to 900 PPFD, competent training, and 8 to 9 week finishing times. Skilled growers with CO2 and optimized VPD can exceed 750 grams per square meter, while outdoor plants in 50 to 100 gallon pots can reach 500 to 900 grams per plant in sunny, dry climates.
Phenotype selection pays dividends due to regular seed variability. Pop 10 to 20 seeds if space allows, take clones of each, and flower the originals to pick keepers based on aroma intensity, resin coverage, and growth traits like internodal spacing and mold resistance. Keeper selection rates of 10 to 20 percent are common for connoisseur standards in ThugPug lines, aligning expectations for Kidney Stone hunts.
For outdoor cultivation, choose sites with full sun for 8 to 10 hours daily and steady airflow. Plant after frost risk passes and consider light dep to avoid October rains in wetter regions. Organic amendments like composted manure, biochar, and slow-release mineral blends can stabilize nutrition and improve water handling across long, hot spells.
Finally, remember that finishing quality relies on stable late-flower conditions. Keep canopy temps below 78 F in the last two weeks, minimize plant handling to protect trichome heads, and avoid extended dark periods that may increase humidity and pathogen risk. A careful dry and patient cure will lock in Kidney Stone’s signature mineral-gas complexity, translating hard-earned cultivation gains into top-shelf jars.
