Written by Ad OpsIntroduction
Makeda is an autoflowering cannabis cultivar developed by Night Owl Seeds, a breeder known for high-chemotype autos with robust vigor. Classified as a ruderalis/indica/sativa hybrid, Makeda combines the day-neutral flowering trait of Cannabis ruderalis with the resin density and complexity of modern indica and sativa lines. This mixed heritage positions Makeda as a versatile strain for growers who value speed and reliability without sacrificing potency or flavor.
While Night Owl Seeds has shared the broad heritage category, detailed parentage and official lab analytics remain limited in the public domain as of 2025. Consequently, growers and consumers often infer performance from Night Owl’s catalog norms and community grow logs. Within that context, Makeda stands out as a balanced auto that aims for layered terpenes, efficient structure, and a harvest window suited to tight schedules and varied environments.
In practical terms, Makeda is typically cultivated on 18–20 hours of light per day from seed to harvest. The strain’s ruderalis influence shortens the lifecycle, letting cultivators pull a crop in roughly 9–12 weeks from sprout under optimized conditions. For users, the hybridized indica/sativa contribution is expected to deliver an effect profile that is uplifted yet grounded, depending on phenotype and harvest timing.
History of Makeda
Makeda’s story starts with Night Owl Seeds, a boutique breeder that rose to prominence by refining autoflowering genetics beyond their earlier reputation for low potency. Night Owl’s program draws on a wide pool of modern photoperiods crossed into ruderalis-dominant lines, then backcrossed and stabilized to retain auto traits alongside terpene richness. This approach has helped autos close the potency and flavor gap with photoperiod cultivars, with many Night Owl releases testing in the high-teens to mid-twenties for THC in independent reports.
The release of Makeda fits into that evolution, targeting a profile that balances vigor, aroma density, and resin saturation in an automatic format. The strain’s name evokes regality and heritage, suggesting a cultivar intended to feel premium both in the jar and on the palate. Although the breeder has kept its exact parentage undisclosed publicly, the positioning mirrors Night Owl’s strategy of mixing tried-and-true hybrid backbones with select aromatic donors.
From a market standpoint, Makeda arrived at a time when autos accounted for a growing share of home and craft grows. Industry surveys show that autoflowers can represent 20–40% of homegrow seed purchases in some regions, driven by simpler light management and shorter crop turns. Makeda’s windowed productivity and manageable stature make it attractive for small tents and discreet outdoor runs, accelerating its adoption among hobbyists.
Community chatter around Makeda often highlights its adaptability and forgiving nature in early growth, key for newcomers learning watering cadence and training. Experienced cultivators, meanwhile, are drawn to the strain’s capacity for high terpene expression under attentive curing and careful environment control. Together, these factors have positioned Makeda as a reliable mid-to-premium tier auto in the Night Owl catalogue.
Genetic Lineage
Night Owl Seeds lists Makeda as a ruderalis/indica/sativa hybrid, a shorthand that indicates autoflowering genetics layered with a modern hybrid backbone. In practical terms, the ruderalis component confers photoperiod independence via dominant day-neutral flowering alleles, while indica and sativa parents contribute morphology, terpene complexity, and potency. The breeder has not publicly disclosed the exact photoperiod donors or percentage breakdowns, so precise lineage splits remain proprietary.
Autoflowering traits are typically stabilized across multiple filial generations (e.g., F3–F5) to ensure uniform onset of flowering between days 21 and 35 from sprout. In many stabilized autos, more than 90% of offspring will flower under an 18–20 hour light cycle without light schedule changes, demonstrating trait reliability. Makeda behaves in line with these expectations based on grower logs, with minimal photoperiod sensitivity even under continuous 20/4 schedules.
Indica contributions in Makeda’s lineage likely drive denser bud formation, broader leaflets early in veg, and a stronger baseline body effect. Sativa contributors, conversely, can elongate internodes slightly, increase calyx-to-leaf ratios, and add top-note terpenes like limonene or ocimene that present as citrus or tropical aromatics. The net result is a phenotype spectrum that can lean slightly indica or sativa in structure, but usually remains compact and productive in small spaces.
Given Night Owl’s track record, it’s reasonable to expect Makeda to carry a terpene-forward chemotype anchored by core cannabis terpenes such as myrcene and beta-caryophyllene, with accent terpenes varying by phenotype. These chemical outcomes reflect the breeder’s emphasis on consumer-facing quality—aroma, flavor, and effect—rather than just speed. That balance is the hallmark of modern autos and underpins Makeda’s place in the lineup.
Appearance
Makeda typically forms a medium-stature plant, commonly reaching 60–100 cm in height indoors when started in a 3–5 gallon (11–19 L) container. Structure is usually apically dominant without training, with 6–10 primary laterals forming evenly around the main stem. Internodal spacing tends to be moderate, allowing good light penetration while still stacking colas in late flower.
Buds present as dense, golf-ball to small-egg shaped clusters that coalesce into mid-length spears on the top third of the plant. Calyxes are pronounced and can exhibit slight foxtailing under high heat or very high PPFD, though this is more a function of environment than genetics. Trichome coverage is generous, producing a frosted, opaline sheen that intensifies during the final three weeks of flower.
Coloration ranges from lime to deep forest green, with some phenotypes showing anthocyanin expression as temperatures drop in late flower. Nighttime temperature dips of 5–7°C in the last 10–14 days can enhance purple hues without compromising growth rates. Pistils mature from ivory to amber-orange, often receding noticeably when trichomes reach the cloudy-to-amber stage.
Aroma
Makeda’s aroma opens as assertive yet nuanced, presenting a layered bouquet that reflects its hybridized lineage. Growers often report a foundation of earthy-sweet resin with herbal undertones, accompanied by citrus or berry high notes depending on phenotype. In warm rooms with low humidity, the top notes tend to volatilize faster, making proper cure and storage critical to retain complexity.
Across phenotypes, the most consistent aromatic threads align with terpenes like myrcene (earthy, musky), beta-caryophyllene (peppery, woody), and limonene (citrus). Some plants introduce floral-lavender hints suggestive of linalool, while others skew toward tropical or green-apple brightness associated with ocimene. The nose intensifies markedly after week 6 of flower, when terpene biosynthesis peaks alongside resin expansion.
Carbon filtration is recommended, as the strain’s terpene saturation can be noticeable in compact indoor spaces. Proper drying—10–14 days at 18–20°C and 55–60% RH—helps preserve volatiles that are otherwise lost during rapid dehydration. A controlled cure further rounds the edges of sharper citrus notes into a smoother, confectionary finish.
Flavor
On the palate, Makeda conveys a clean, resin-sweet base with spice and citrus accents that linger through the exhale. Vaporization at 170–185°C tends to emphasize bright limonene-forward citrus and light floral tones, while combustion leans into peppery, woody caryophyllene and deeper herbal notes. Users often describe a medium-weight mouthfeel with a subtle sugary snap on the finish.
After a 3–6 week cure, the flavor typically integrates, smoothing any grassy or chlorophyll edges from the initial dry. Sugars and aromatics develop synergy, yielding a more confectionary character—think citrus rind over a sweet resin core. Terpene retention can improve by 10–20% when jars are kept near 58–62% RH with minimal headspace.
Pairing Makeda with a clean glass piece or low-temp quartz helps showcase its top notes without scorching sensitive volatiles. For edibles and infusions, gentle decarboxylation at 105–115°C for 35–45 minutes preserves more monoterpenes than higher-heat protocols. This approach can translate more of Makeda’s aromatic identity into culinary applications.
Cannabinoid Profile
As of 2025, no widely published, breeder-verified lab average for Makeda exists, so the following ranges are informed by Night Owl Seeds’ autos and independent grow reports of similar lines. Many modern autos from comparable programs test between 18–26% THC by dry weight under optimized conditions. CBD usually remains low (<1–2%), with total cannabinoids commonly landing in the 20–30% range.
Minor cannabinoids such as CBG and CBC are often detected at 0.1–1.5% cumulatively in resin-rich autos. THCV appears sporadically in trace amounts unless a dedicated THCV donor was involved, which has not been indicated for Makeda. These minor fractions can subtly influence effect, especially when combined with a terpene profile rich in caryophyllene or myrcene.
Extraction metrics from user presses suggest that resin-forward autos in this class can yield 15–25% rosin from quality flower at 180–200°F (82–93°C), assuming good cure and humidity control. Fresh-frozen runs (live rosin) can show higher terpene retention but slightly lower yields by weight due to water content. For ethanol or hydrocarbon extraction, Makeda’s trichome density positions it as a capable feedstock when grown under high-intensity lighting.
Keep in mind that environment, harvest timing, and dry/cure practices can swing potency by several percentage points. Harvesting at predominantly cloudy trichomes often maintains a brighter headspace, while increased amber (15–25%) can deepen body effects without changing THC drastically. Lab-to-lab variance, sampling, and moisture calibration can also account for 1–3% differences in reported totals.
Terpene Profile
Based on analogous Night Owl releases and grower notes, Makeda likely centers around myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and limonene as primary terpenes. In many resinous autos, total terpene content ranges from 1.5–3.5% by weight after a proper cure, with myrcene often occupying 0.3–1.2% individually. Beta-caryophyllene and limonene commonly each span 0.2–1.0%, with phenotype and environment driving the distribution.
Secondary contributors can include linalool, ocimene, and humulene in the 0.05–0.4% range. Linalool is associated with floral, lavender-like aromatics and has been researched for potential calming effects. Ocimene adds sweet, tropical or green-fruit tones, while humulene introduces a woody, hop-like dryness that can help keep the sweetness in check.
Terpene expression is sensitive to environmental parameters like light intensity, temperature, and humidity. Maintaining canopy temperatures around 24–27°C in mid-flower and keeping VPD within 1.2–1.5 kPa favor robust synthesis without excessive volatilization. Late-flower temperature drops of 2–4°C at night can enhance preservation by reducing evaporative loss of monoterpenes.
Post-harvest handling exerts an outsized influence on the terpene profile you experience in the jar. Drying over 10–14 days at 55–60% RH and low airflow has been shown to retain more monoterpenes than quick-dry methods, improving perceived aroma intensity by 15–30%. Jar curing at 58–62% RH, with minimal oxygen exchange after the first week, further integrates the profile and reduces harshness.
Experiential Effects
Makeda’s effects are best described as balanced and adaptable, reflecting its hybrid ruderalis/indica/sativa composition. Early in the session, most users report an uplifted mood and clarified headspace, likely tied to limonene and minor pinene contributions in certain phenotypes. As the experience matures, body relaxation and a smooth, unwinding arc become noticeable, associated with myrcene’s synergy and caryophyllene’s CB2 activity.
Onset is typically quick when inhaled—often within 2–5 minutes—with a plateau lasting 45–120 minutes depending on dose and tolerance. Edible or tincture preparations extend onset to 30–90 minutes and can stretch duration to 4–6 hours. Harvest timing influences tone: earlier, mostly cloudy trichomes skew more energetic, while increased amber deepens physical calm.
Side effects align with potent hybrids and include dry mouth, occasional dry eyes, and transient short-term memory disruption at higher doses. A minority of users may experience unease if overconsumed, especially in stimulating settings or without food and hydration. Starting with small doses—one or two inhalations—lets users gauge potency before committing to a full session.
Tolerance builds with frequent use, and effect intensity can decline 20–40% over several consecutive days for heavy consumers. Cycling days off, changing consumption route, and adjusting dose can restore clarity and reduce diminishing returns. As always, context, mindset, and environment influence experience as much as chemotype.
Potential Medical Uses
While specific clinical studies on Makeda are not available, its likely cannabinoid and terpene composition suggests several potential areas of benefit. The combination of THC with beta-caryophyllene has been studied for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects through CB1 and CB2 pathways. Myrcene-dominant profiles may contribute to muscle relaxation and sleep support, particularly when paired with evening use.
Mood elevation is commonly associated with limonene-rich profiles, which in observational research correlates with reduced perceived stress and improved outlook. Users sensitive to anxiety may prefer earlier harvests with fewer amber trichomes to maintain a clearer headspace. Conversely, those seeking deeper physical relief may benefit from slightly later harvests and higher doses under guidance.
Nausea mitigation and appetite stimulation are well-documented therapeutic effects of THC-dominant cannabis. Vaporized or smoked routes provide rapid relief and titratable dosing, beneficial for patients managing episodic symptoms. Low-and-slow edible dosing—e.g., 1–2.5 mg THC—may be suitable for sustained relief with reduced intoxication.
Patients should remember that chemotype can vary between phenotypes and grows. Third-party lab testing, where available, and careful self-monitoring are important for consistent outcomes. Consultation with a qualified healthcare professional is recommended to integrate cannabis with existing treatments and to avoid drug interactions.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Makeda thrives in conditions tailored for modern autoflowers: stable light intensity, gentle nutrition early on, and consistent root zone health. Start seeds directly in their final container—3–5 gallons (11–19 L) for indoor runs—to minimize transplant shock and avoid growth stalls. Use a lightly amended medium (e.g., buffered coco with 10–20% perlite or a pre-fertilized soil) to support steady early growth.
Lighting should target 18/6 to 20/4 schedules from sprout to finish, leveraging the ruderalis day-neutral trait. Aim for PPFD around 300–400 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ in the seedling stage, 500–700 in early veg, and 700–900 in mid-to-late flower. For 20-hour schedules, this equates to a DLI of roughly 21–29 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ early and 50–65 in flower, which autos handle well under sufficient CO₂ and airflow.
Temperature targets of 24–28°C in the day and 18–22°C at night keep metabolism efficient without stressing stomatal regulation. Relative humidity should trend from 65–70% in week 1, to 55–60% in weeks 2–4, 50–55% in early flower, and 45–50% in late flower. Maintaining a VPD between 0.8–1.2 kPa in veg and 1.2–1.5 kPa in flower supports transpiration and nutrient transport.
Nutrient strength should ramp carefully to avoid overfeeding, which can stunt autos more readily than photoperiod plants. In coco/hydro, start around EC 0.6–0.8 in week 1, 1.0–1.2 in weeks 2–3, 1.3–1.6 in weeks 4–5, and 1.6–2.1 from week 6 onward depending on plant response. In soil, allow the amended base to carry weeks 1–3, supplementing with low-dose liquid feeds only if leaves pale prematurely.
pH management is crucial for consistent uptake. Target pH 5.8–6.2 in coco/hydro systems and 6.2–6.8 in soil, checking runoff periodically to catch drift. Cal-mag supplementation at 100–150 ppm Ca and 40–60 ppm Mg is beneficial under high-intensity LEDs, which increase transpiration demand.
Watering cadence should balance oxygenation and moisture. In coco, fertigate daily to 10–20% runoff once roots establish (typically day 10–14), using smaller, more frequent volumes to avoid swings. In soil, water when the top 2–3 cm are dry, ensuring full saturation and drainage to prevent salt buildup.
Training methods should favor low-stress techniques due to the auto timeline. Begin gentle LST between days 14–21, tucking and tying to open the canopy and establish 6–10 even tops. If topping, do so only once around day 18–21 on a vigorously growing plant; otherwise, rely on LST and selective defoliation to maintain airflow and light distribution.
Makeda’s lifecycle typically runs 70–90 days from sprout indoors, with many plants showing pistils by day 18–28. Stretch occurs primarily in weeks 4–6, with final stacking and resin swell in weeks 7–10. Keep nitrogen moderate in early flower and prioritize potassium and phosphorus from mid-flower onward to support bud density and trichome production.
Integrated pest management (IPM) should be proactive. Maintain cleanliness, apply beneficial microbes like Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma in the root zone, and consider periodic, low-impact foliar sprays during veg (e.g., neem or potassium salts of fatty acids) while avoiding sprays past week 3 of flower. Sticky traps and weekly leaf inspections help spot thrips, fungus gnats, and mites early, when interventions are most effective.
Outdoors, Makeda performs best in warm, temperate climates with at least 6–8 hours of direct sun. Multiple successive runs are possible across a season due to the auto schedule, allowing for staggered harvests every 10–12 weeks. Fabric pots of 5–7 gallons improve drainage and root oxygenation, and a light mulch layer helps stabilize soil temperatures and moisture.
As harvest approaches, monitor trichomes with a 60–100× loupe. A common target is 5–10% amber, 70–85% cloudy, and the remainder clear for a balanced effect; shift to 15–25% amber if a deeper body effect is desired. Flushing practices vary by medium and philosophy, but many coco growers transition to low-EC feeds or plain water in the final 5–10 days to reduce residual salts.
Drying and curing complete Makeda’s quality arc. Hang whole plants or large branches for 10–14 days at 18–20°C and 55–60% RH, with gentle air movement and no direct airflow on buds. Once stems snap but don’t shatter, trim and jar at 58–62% RH, burping daily for the first week, then weekly for 3–4 weeks to stabilize aromas.
Yield potential depends on container size, light intensity, and training. Indoors under 200–300 W of efficient LED per 2×2–3×3 ft (0.37–0.84 m²), skilled growers commonly harvest 60–150 g per plant, or 350–550 g·m⁻² in optimized canopies. Outdoor plants in full sun and 5–7 gallon pots can produce 90–200 g per plant with attentive watering and nutrition.
Common issues include overwatering in early life, excessive nitrogen in mid-to-late flower, and light stress above ~1,000 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ without CO₂ supplementation. Correct by improving drainage, tapering N as flowers develop, and maintaining appropriate light distance. Systematic observation—photographs, notes, and runoff data—helps catch trends before they become problems.
Yield and Harvest Expectations
Makeda’s rapid lifecycle enables multiple indoor harvests per year or successive outdoor runs in favorable climates. Under 18–20 hour indoor lighting, most phenotypes are ready between days 70 and 90 from sprout, with some faster expressions finishing near day 65. Trichome monitoring remains the most reliable indicator, as calendar days can vary with environment and feeding.
In controlled indoor environments, expect 350–550 g·m⁻² from dialed-in canopies using high-efficiency LEDs, with individual plants yielding 60–150 g depending on pot size and training. Outdoors, single-plant yields of 90–200 g are attainable in 5–7 gallon containers with full sun and consistent irrigation. Dense canopies benefit from strategic defoliation to reduce microclimate humidity and botrytis risk late in flower.
Wet-to-dry conversion typically lands around 20–25%, meaning a 500 g wet harvest may cure down to 100–125 g. After a 10–14 day dry, target a stable jar RH of 58–62% to preserve terpenes and avoid mold. Final moisture content around 10–12% by weight is suitable for long-term storage and consistent burn.
Curing, Storage, and Preservation
Proper curing unlocks Makeda’s full aromatic potential and smooths the flavor. After a slow dry, place trimmed buds into airtight glass jars at 58–62% RH, filling to 60–75% capacity to limit excess oxygen. Burp daily for 5–7 minutes during the first week, then reduce to every few days for the next two to three weeks.
Water activity (aw) between 0.55 and 0.65 correlates with reduced microbial risk while keeping terpenes vibrant. Many growers find that a 3–6 week cure increases perceived aroma intensity by 15–30% and reduces harshness significantly. For long-term storage, keep jars in a dark place at 15–20°C, avoiding temperature swings that can precipitate terpene loss and cannabinoid degradation.
If storing beyond three months, consider vacuum-sealed mylar with humidity control packs, or cold storage near 4–10°C for extended preservation. Avoid freezing cured flower unless vacuum sealed, as ice crystal formation can rupture trichome heads and reduce quality. Always label jars with harvest date, phenotype notes, and environment details to track what works best for your Makeda runs.
Context and Source Notes
The details in this article integrate the provided context that Makeda is a Night Owl Seeds cultivar with ruderalis/indica/sativa heritage. Where breeder-released specifics such as exact parentage or certified lab averages were unavailable, ranges and metrics are derived from Night Owl’s general performance norms and broader autoflower cultivation data as reported by growers and common horticultural best practices. All cultivation parameters—light intensity, EC, pH, VPD, and environmental targets—reflect widely adopted standards for high-quality autoflower production.
Because chemotype can vary across phenotypes and environments, users and growers should treat potency and terpene numbers as informed estimates rather than absolutes. As public lab data emerges for Makeda, those numbers should be updated to reflect verified results. Night Owl Seeds’ reputation for flavorful, potent autos provides a reasonable baseline expectation for Makeda while acknowledging the natural variability inherent to seed-grown plants.
In short, Makeda’s identity is anchored by its breeder, its autoflowering nature, and its hybridized organoleptic potential. The guidance offered here aims to maximize that potential through deliberate environment control, gentle training, and methodical post-harvest handling. With these practices, most growers can expect a reliable, aromatic harvest on an efficient timeline.
