Written by Ad OpsOrigin and Breeding History
Martha My Dear is a boutique hybrid bred by Delicatessen, a Spanish seed house known for elegant flavor work and refined, garden-friendly structures. Delicatessen built its reputation in the 2000s and 2010s by crafting artisan cultivars that balance exotic sativa influence with manageable flowering times and high resin output. In that tradition, Martha My Dear was introduced as a sensory-forward hybrid intended to be both expressive in the jar and reliable in the grow room.
Though the breeder openly credits the cultivar as an indica/sativa hybrid, Delicatessen has not broadly publicized a precise parental pedigree for Martha My Dear. This is relatively common in the boutique European scene, where proprietary crosses are closely guarded to protect breeding IP and phenotype selection work. As a result, most of what is known publicly comes from grower reports, club menus, and comparative analysis against Delicatessen’s catalog.
Delicatessen’s house style often leans on clean, floral-citrus terpene compositions and high calyx-to-leaf ratios that make hand-trimming easy. Martha My Dear exhibits that same high-end finish, with resin-rich bracts and a terpene profile that presents bright and uplifting. The strain’s name nods to a whimsical sensibility—much like Delicatessen’s other musically inspired selections—and hints at a friendly, social effect profile favored by daytime consumers.
While exact release dates are not formalized in breeder notes, the cultivar has circulated in European markets and among collectors for years. Reports from Spanish social clubs describe Martha My Dear as a consistent performer indoors and a sun-loving plant outdoors in Mediterranean climates. The combination of boutique aroma and pragmatic cultivation requirements helped the variety quietly earn a following among homegrowers and connoisseurs alike.
The strain’s modern relevance is bolstered by its alignment with contemporary preferences: clear-headed uplift, functional euphoria, and a palate that leans citrus-floral with herbal edges. These qualities match broader consumer trends toward energizing, bright-tasting flowers for daytime creativity and activity. Consequently, Martha My Dear often appears in lists of invigorating hybrids suitable for outdoor pursuits and social sessions.
Genetic Lineage and Heritage
Martha My Dear is explicitly identified by the breeder as an indica/sativa hybrid, presenting a balanced heritage in both growth and effect. Without disclosed parents, the best window into its lineage comes from phenotype behavior: relatively rapid indoor finish for a hybrid with lively top-notes, and a structure that suggests mixed broadleaf and narrowleaf ancestry. Internode length, bud morphology, and terpene dominance point to a hybrid carefully selected to deliver sativa-leaning clarity without excessive flowering time.
Delicatessen’s breeding history often incorporates heirloom sativa influences tempered by compacting, resin-forward partners. In Martha My Dear, that philosophy can be inferred from its energetic but composed effect and refined plant architecture. Many growers note that the plant carries the “Spanish boutique” signature—light, floral, sometimes tea-like aroma wrapped in a citrus halo—which is consistent with hybrid lines curated for European indoor environments.
Comparative assessment with classic sativa benchmarks is informative. For instance, Colombian Gold, a landrace sativa originating in Colombia’s Santa Marta mountains, is known for fluffy, crystal-covered buds and a soaring, clear-headed high. Martha My Dear can express a similar clarity and sparkle, albeit with more modern density and a faster, more compact bloom period than a true landrace.
The hybridized heritage also explains the strain’s versatility across training styles and climates. Broadleaf influence lends sturdier stems and better calyx stacking, while narrowleaf influence supports more open canopy airflow and lighter, brighter terpene outcomes. The result is a cultivar that feels familiar to modern growers even as it retains a classic, uplifting personality.
Until the breeder publicizes the precise cross, Martha My Dear sits within a family of energetic, citrus-floral hybrids that straddle the line between daytime functionality and evening unwind. That hybrid middle ground—neither racy nor sleepy when dialed in—has made it a favorite among consumers who want uplift without jitters. In practice, phenotype selection during cultivation can nudge the experience slightly toward either side of that balance.
Appearance and Morphology
Martha My Dear produces medium-sized, spear-shaped colas with a calyx-forward expression and a trim-friendly leaf profile. Buds often finish with a light to medium density, avoiding the overcompression that can invite botrytis in humid rooms. Trichome coverage is generous, with bulbous heads and a frosty sheen that reads as silver-green under natural light.
Coloration typically stays in the lime-to-forest green spectrum, though cooler night temps in late flower can draw out faint lilac or rose hues in some phenotypes. Pistils mature from pale peach to deep tangerine, offering warm contrast against the crystalline backdrop. The calyx-to-leaf ratio is high, so a gentle manicure reveals pronounced bracts that hold resin exceptionally well.
Structurally, the plant shows hybrid vigor with moderate internode spacing—longer than a squat indica, shorter than an equatorial sativa. Under strong indoor lighting, main colas can reach 20 to 35 centimeters, with secondary branching filling a square meter canopy evenly when topped once or twice. Outdoors, in full sun and amended soil, plants commonly reach 1.8 to 2.5 meters, with lateral arms requiring light trellising during late bloom.
Buds often present with a subtly “fluffy yet structured” look, reminiscent of certain heirloom sativa lines such as Colombian Gold, but with more uniform stacking. Individual tops commonly weigh 5 to 12 grams dried in indoor conditions and can exceed that range with extended vegetative time and CO2 supplementation. Growers who prefer a tidy bag appeal will appreciate how easily crow’s feet and sugar leaves peel away to reveal symmetrical, glistening flowers.
By harvest, resin heads mature to a mix of cloudy and amber with stalks that are resilient enough for dry-sift and ice-water hash work. Stems cure to a fragrant, citrus-herbal sweetness when properly dried at 55–60% relative humidity. The finished presentation in the jar is “sparkle-forward,” with crystalline brightness and old-world charm.
Aroma and Bouquet
Aromatically, Martha My Dear is vivid and inviting, opening with citrus peel—think lemon zest and sweet orange—balanced by a floral middle and green herbal edges. Initial impressions often include hints of white blossom, fresh-cut basil, and a light pine topnote that sharpens as the flowers dry. Crack a cured bud, and the bouquet expands into sugared citrus rind, chamomile, and faint pepper.
Grinding the flower releases more layered complexities, especially a delicate tea-like sweetness underpinned by faint woodiness. Some phenotypes exhibit a clean, soapy floral lift suggestive of linalool prominence, while others drive more terpinolene-forward brightness. In either case, the fragrance is high-tone and sparkling rather than heavy and musky.
Measured terpene totals in modern hybrids commonly range between 1.5% and 3.5% of dry flower weight, and Martha My Dear falls comfortably within that window based on grower reports. Dominant notes align with limonene, terpinolene, and linalool, supported by beta-caryophyllene and a smaller myrcene fraction. The result is an aroma that reads “daytime-friendly” and clean.
As flowers mature, the bouquet condenses from zesty and effervescent to richer and slightly sweeter, showing mild vanilla-herbal undertones. Proper curing for 4–8 weeks unlocks a honeyed citrus facet and smooths any sharp herbaceousness. In the jar, the scent remains distinct even after extended storage when humidity is maintained around 58–62%.
Compared against a true landrace like Colombian Gold—which often presents wild, meadow-like herbs and resinous spice—Martha My Dear is more curated and pastry-bright. The hybridization keeps the top-notes tidy and consistent from phenotype to phenotype. That uniformity is a hallmark of Delicatessen’s boutique approach to selection.
Flavor and Mouthfeel
On the palate, Martha My Dear delivers a citrus-forward first impression, most commonly lemon drop and orange blossom, with a trailing sweetness. Mid-palate, soft florals and a tea-like note emerge—think chamomile with a thread of green cardamom. The finish is clean, offering a light pine snap and faint white pepper that lingers without harshness.
Vaporization at 180–190°C preserves the brighter terpenes, making the citrus-floral core pop while tamping down any peppery bite. Combustion adds a toasted sugar facet and deepens the herbal tones; careful, slow draws keep the profile crisp rather than smoky. Mouthfeel is silky, with minimal throat grab when flowers are well-cured to a target water activity of 0.55–0.62 aw.
As the bowl progresses, sweetness concentrates, and the zest shifts toward candied citrus peel with a delicate resin echo. The retrohale carries gentle spice and a touch of cedar, particularly in phenotypes with stronger beta-caryophyllene expression. Overall, the flavor reads “bright and polished,” landing squarely in energetic territory rather than dessert-heavy.
Pairings work best with complementary acidity and aromatics: sparkling water with a citrus twist, green oolong tea, or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc if consuming where alcohol and cannabis pairing is legally permitted. Culinary matches include citrus-marinated olives, herbed goat cheese, or lightly charred asparagus with lemon. These flavors amplify the strain’s zesty, floral center while keeping the palate refreshed.
Frequent consumers report that the flavor remains present even late in sessions, indicating robust volatile oils and a terpene composition resistant to rapid flash-off. That longevity is advantageous for vaporizer users who prefer multiple low-temperature pulls. It also contributes to an enduring room note that reads perfumed rather than pungent.
Cannabinoid Profile
Martha My Dear is generally THC-dominant with low baseline CBD, aligning with the majority of boutique European hybrids. Typical lab ranges for comparable hybrids place THC around 16–22% by dry weight, with top phenotypes occasionally verifying higher under optimized cultivation. CBD is usually below 1%, often in the 0.1–0.6% range.
Minor cannabinoids such as CBG commonly register between 0.1–1.0%, and CBC may appear at 0.1–0.5%. While small in absolute terms, these molecules can modulate subjective effects, especially in terpene-rich flowers where entourage interactions are meaningful. For example, a 0.5–1.0% CBG presence can add mental clarity and smoothness to a THC-forward high.
Total cannabinoid content frequently lands in the 18–26% range when you sum THC, CBD, CBG, and trace minors. The precise distribution depends on phenotype, maturation window, and cultivation parameters such as light intensity, nutrition, and stress levels. CO2 enrichment and high-DLI lighting programs can push total cannabinoids toward the upper end of that spectrum.
Decarboxylation efficiency also plays a role in perceived potency across consumption methods. Vaporization at controlled temperatures can preserve acidic cannabinoids early in the session, while combustion rapidly decarboxylates THCA to THC, affecting onset and character. Consumers sensitive to intensity can modulate experience by choosing lower-temperature devices and shorter inhalations.
Because breeder-disclosed lab panels for Martha My Dear are limited in the public domain, consider these ranges as grounded expectations based on observed behavior of similar hybrid cultivars. Individual test results can vary with harvest timing—pulling at cloudy trichomes often yields a brighter experience than harvesting at 15–25% amber. For consistent outcomes, growers should standardize harvest criteria and curing protocol across runs.
Terpene Profile
A representative terpene hierarchy for Martha My Dear skews toward limonene as a lead, with terpinolene or linalool frequently co-dominant depending on phenotype. Support comes from beta-caryophyllene, ocimene, and a minor myrcene presence that adds body without dragging the effect into sedation. Typical total terpene content for well-grown indoor flowers lands between 1.8% and 3.0% by weight.
When limonene leads at roughly 0.5–1.2% of flower mass, users commonly perceive elevated mood, enhanced alertness, and a citrus-aromatic bouquet. Terpinolene in the 0.2–0.6% band correlates with bright, piney-fruit top-notes and an energized feel, though in some people it can read as lightly racy. Linalool in the 0.2–0.5% range contributes polished florals and a subtle calming counterweight.
Beta-caryophyllene typically falls between 0.2–0.5% and acts as a CB2 receptor agonist, potentially adding anti-inflammatory tone to the experience. Ocimene, often 0.1–0.3%, freshens the aroma with sweet, green accents and may contribute to perceived airway openness. Myrcene commonly registers at 0.1–0.3%, enough to round the edges without tipping into couchlock.
Collectively, this profile reads as crisp, head-forward, and functional—consistent with user reports that align Martha My Dear with invigorating hybrids favored for daytime use. The balance between terpinolene’s sparkle and linalool’s softness is what keeps the ride enjoyable rather than jittery in most consumers. If a given phenotype leans strongly terpinolene and ocimene, expect a slightly more zesty and stimulating signature.
For extraction, these terpenes translate well into live resin and rosin formats, retaining the citrus-tea heart when processed at low temperatures. Keeping post-harvest conditions at 18–20°C and 55–60% RH during a 10–14 day dry helps preserve the more volatile monoterpenes. Extended cures past eight weeks can nudge the bouquet toward sweeter, honeyed tones without sacrificing the bright core.
Experiential Effects
Most consumers characterize Martha My Dear as clear-headed, uplifting, and energizing, matching the profile of strains often recommended for outdoor activities. Reports are consistent with summaries that note a clean mental lift with functional focus, though a subset of users observes a racy or anxious edge if dosage is too high or tolerance is low. As with many limonene/terpinolene-leaning hybrids, taking the first few draws slowly is an effective way to gauge one’s response.
Onset with combustion is typically quick—1 to 3 minutes—reaching a peak around 15 to 25 minutes. The plateau can persist for 60 to 90 minutes in experienced consumers, with a gentle taper over the following hour. Vaporized sessions trend slightly more measured in onset and duration, often extending the experience by 15–20%.
The headspace is bright and social, with enhanced sensory detail that suits creative tasks, conversation, and light movement. Body feel stays nimble with minimal drag, making it a favorite for daytime chores, trail walks, or low-intensity workouts. Some users report improved task initiation and flow-state potential, particularly at micro to moderate doses.
Because the effect profile emphasizes alertness, it pairs naturally with low-stakes outdoor activity. In fact, energizing strains similar to Martha My Dear are often highlighted for hiking due to the blend of mood elevation and mental clarity; just remember that for some, the same profile can tilt racy in unfamiliar settings. Start small, stay hydrated, and match dose to context for the best experience.
Compared with classic landrace sativas like Colombian Gold, Martha My Dear tends to be smoother around the edges, with a modern hybrid polish that reduces the chance of overexuberance at moderate doses. Where Colombian Gold can soar to a cerebral crescendo, Martha My Dear typically cruises at a pleasantly elevated altitude. That makes it approachable for daytime enthusiasts who want bright without burn.
Potential Medical Uses
While individual responses vary, Martha My Dear’s THC-dominant, limonene-forward profile aligns with common goals such as short-term mood enhancement and relief from stress. Users seeking daytime functionality often find that small to moderate doses aid motivation and focus without heavy sedation. This can be helpful for people who experience mid-day fatigue or task initiation difficulties.
Beta-caryophyllene’s activity at CB2 receptors may contribute anti-inflammatory support for minor aches, especially when combined with gentle movement. The strain’s clear-headed lift can also assist with situational anxiety if the dose is kept conservative, though higher doses may be counterproductive for sensitive individuals. For that reason, microdosing strategies—one or two short inhalations spaced five minutes apart—are frequently reported as effective.
Nausea and appetite modulation are additional areas where THC-led hybrids provide benefit. For those managing appetite dips, small doses before meals can stimulate interest in food without overwhelming the senses. Conversely, people concerned about overeating may prefer timing use after balanced meals to avoid excessive munchies.
Sleep support is not a primary use-case, though some users report a clean transition to rest as effects taper if consumption occurs several hours before bedtime. Those with insomnia generally fare better with heavier myrcene or linalool dominant cultivars in evening contexts. Martha My Dear’s strength lies in daytime quality-of-life improvements rather than nighttime sedation.
As always, medical outcomes depend heavily on individual biochemistry, tolerance, and set and setting. New users or those with anxiety sensitivity should begin with very low doses and consider vaporization to better control intake. Anyone with a medical condition or on prescription medications should consult a clinician familiar with cannabinoid therapeutics before use.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Overview and Planning
Martha My Dear behaves like a well-bred indica/sativa hybrid: vigorous, tidy, and responsive to training. Indoors, expect 8–10 weeks of flowering depending on phenotype and environment; outdoors in the Northern Hemisphere, plan for a late September to mid-October harvest. From seed to cured jar commonly spans 110–130 days under photoperiod schedules.
Yield potential is robust with canopy management. Indoors, 400–550 g/m² is achievable under 600–1000 µmol/m²/s of PPFD, with CO2 supplementation pushing yields 15–30% higher if other parameters are dialed. Outdoors, single plants in 50–100 liter containers or in-ground beds can produce 500–900 g per plant with full-season veg and strong sun.
Germination and Seedling Stage
Germinate seeds using a 24–26°C environment and 95–100% humidity in a dome, or crack seeds using the paper towel method in sterile conditions. Most quality seeds show radicle emergence within 24–72 hours; viability above 85–90% is typical when seeds are fresh and properly stored. Plant into a light starter mix with minimal fertilizer to prevent early burn.
Seedlings thrive under 200–300 µmol/m²/s of PPFD with a day length of 18–20 hours. Maintain VPD around 0.6–0.8 kPa, which translates roughly to 24–26°C and 65–75% RH. Keep substrate evenly moist, targeting a pH of 6.2–6.5 in soil and 5.8–6.2 in coco/hydro.
Vegetative Growth
Martha My Dear responds well to topping, low-stress training, and SCROG. Top once at the 5th or 6th node, then again after lateral branches set, to shape 8–16 main sites in a 60×60 cm to 100×100 cm space. Maintain PPFD at 400–600 µmol/m²/s, with a daily light integral (DLI) of 25–35 mol/m²/day for compact, vigorous growth.
Nutrient-wise, aim for an EC of 1.2–1.6 in vegetative stage with a balanced N-P-K of approximately 3-1-2, plus Ca and Mg supplementation if using RO water. Temperatures of 24–27°C by day and 20–22°C by night with 55–70% RH help maintain steady growth. VPD should hover near 0.8–1.2 kPa to optimize transpiration and nutrient uptake.
Transition and Flowering
Flip to 12/12 when the canopy is 60–70% full; expect a stretch factor of 1.5–2.0× over the first three weeks. Increase PPFD to 700–900 µmol/m²/s during early to mid flower, and up to 1000–1100 µmol/m²/s for high-CO2 rooms. Target a bloom EC of 1.8–2.2 with an N-P-K ratio trending toward 1-2-3, adding extra potassium weeks 6–8 for resin and density.
Environmental targets during bloom should step down humidity to 50–55% in weeks 3–6 and 45–50% in weeks 7–10, keeping VPD around 1.2–1.5 kPa. Day temps of 24–26°C and night temps of 18–21°C encourage color and terpene retention without sacrificing growth. Gentle defoliation at day 21 and day 42 post-flip opens the canopy and reduces microclimates.
Phenotype Management
Two common phenotypic expressions are observed. A sativa-leaning pheno stretches slightly more, finishes in 9–10 weeks, and leans terpinolene/limonene in aroma; buds are slightly airier but larger per cola. An indica-leaning pheno finishes in 8–9 weeks, stacks denser flower, and leans linalool/caryophyllene with a slightly deeper floral profile.
Select keepers based on your goals: for daytime brightness, prioritize the terpinolene-forward expression; for bag appeal and fast turnaround, the denser, linalool-lifted phenotype is appealing. Clone selection is straightforward; Martha My Dear roots reliably in 10–14 days at 24–26°C and 80–90% humidity under low light.
Irrigation and Substrate Strategy
In soil, use a high-quality, aerated mix with 25–35% perlite or pumice to prevent compaction. In coco coir, maintain frequent fertigation at 10–20% runoff to keep EC stable and prevent salt buildup. Drip irrigation with pressure-compensating emitters allows precise control in multi-plant setups and reduces labor.
Water with pH 6.2–6.8 in soil and 5.8–6.2 in coco/hydro, and ensure dissolved oxygen is adequate—cool nutrient solutions to 18–20°C when possible. Drybacks should be moderate; avoid overwatering to maintain root-zone oxygen and prevent pythium. Silica supplements at 50–100 ppm Si can strengthen stems during stretch.
Integrated Pest and Pathogen Management
The cultivar’s open flower structure makes botrytis less likely than ultra-dense indica colas, but good airflow is still essential. Maintain at least 30–60 air exchanges per hour in tents and use oscillating fans to eliminate still pockets. Keep leaf surfaces dry and prune interior larf to reduce humidity spikes at lights-off.
Common pests include spider mites, thrips, and fungus gnats. Employ a preventive program with yellow and blue sticky cards, weekly scouting, and periodic releases of beneficials such as Amblyseius swirskii and Hypoaspis miles. Rotate biologicals like Beauveria bassiana and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis as needed, and avoid late-flower sprays to protect terpenes.
CO2, Light Mapping, and Training
If enriching CO2, maintain 900–1200 ppm during lights-on, keeping temperatures 1–2°C higher to match increased metabolic rates. Map light with a PAR meter to achieve even PPFD; aim for less than 10–15% variance across the canopy for uniform bud development. SCROG netting at 20–30 cm above the pots controls stretch and keeps colas in the sweet spot.
Low-stress training can begin once branches are pliable, tying shoots outward to fill the frame. Supercropping in week 2 of flower can even up the canopy on the stretchier phenotype without harming yield. Avoid aggressive high-stress techniques late in bloom to prevent foxtailing on terpinolene-leaning expressions.
Harvest, Drying, and Curing
Use trichome maturity to set harvest timing: 5–10% amber for a bright, energetic profile; 15–20% amber for a slightly rounder effect. Flush in the final 7–10 days if you are in salt-based systems, targeting runoff EC under 0.9–1.0 before chop. Harvest at the onset of lights-on to maximize terpene retention.
Dry whole plants or large branches at 18–20°C and 55–60% RH with gentle airflow for 10–14 days. Target a slow dry that brings stems to a clean snap without shattering, preserving volatile monoterpenes. Jar cure for 4–8 weeks, burping daily at first, maintaining 58–62% RH; water activity of 0.55–0.62 aw is ideal.
Outdoors and Climate Considerations
Martha My Dear thrives in Mediterranean and temperate climates with low autumn rainfall. In-ground, amend with compost, biochar at 5–10% by volume, and slow-release organics; maintain mulch to buffer soil temperatures and retain moisture. Stake or trellis early to support branches during late-season winds.
To mitigate late-season disease pressure, prune interior growth for airflow and avoid overhead irrigation after flowering begins. If frost threatens, temporary hoop structures and frost cloth can extend the season by 1–2 weeks. In high-humidity regions, choose the faster, denser phenotype and harvest promptly when trichome targets are met.
Homegrow Example and Practical Tips
A step-by-step chronicle like Leafly’s cannabis homegrow series—where writer Johanna Silver documents a seed-to-harvest backyard grow—illustrates how manageable a hybrid like Martha My Dear can be in small, legal home settings. Even without commercial gear, consistent watering, sunlight, and basic training can produce top-shelf results. Follow local cultivation laws for plant counts, security, and visibility.
For a 2×4-foot tent, run two plants in 20-liter pots, top twice, and train to a single SCROG net for an even canopy. Feed to runoff every watering in coco or maintain a wet-dry cycle in soil, and keep environmental targets inside the ranges listed above. With 400–500 µmol/m²/s in veg and 800–1000 µmol/m²/s in bloom, expect dense, frosted colas and a fragrant, citrus-forward cure.
Quality Metrics and Targets
Aim for final moisture content of 10–12% by weight post-dry, verified with a hygrometer in jars. Well-grown flowers should test in the mid-to-high teens for THC at minimum, with total cannabinoids commonly breaching 20% under optimized conditions. Terpenes typically present above 1.8%, with a limonene/terpinolene-linalool axis dominating.
Properly dialed runs will see a bud-to-trim ratio above 3:1 due to the cultivar’s calyx-forward architecture. Expect a trim time of 35–50 person-hours per kilogram of dried flower by hand, depending on your defoliation strategy. The result is a jar with a bright, clean perfume and a high-end visual finish that reflects the cultivar’s boutique roots.
