Written by Ad OpsOverview and Origins
Maxi GOM is an autoflowering cannabis strain created by GrassOmatic, a Spanish breeder known for pioneering reliable, high-yielding autos in the early 2010s. The name itself nods to the brand, with GOM standing for GrassOmatic, and Maxi signaling the breeder’s aim to scale up plant size and yields compared to first-generation autoflowers. Classified as a ruderalis/indica/sativa hybrid, Maxi GOM balances the convenience of autoflower genetics with the productivity and organoleptic depth of modern photoperiods.
The strain has been cataloged by several major cannabis databases and seed repositories, reflecting its steady popularity among growers and hobbyists. For instance, CannaConnection lists Maxi GoM in its sitemap of recognized cultivars, placing it alongside widely known strains, which underscores its established presence in the market. While not as hyped as flagship photoperiod hybrids, Maxi GOM remains a workhorse auto for cultivators seeking dependable results with minimal fuss.
Growers typically choose Maxi GOM for a blend of attributes: consistent finishing times, accessible potency, and a friendly growth habit that tolerates minor errors. Its lifecycle averages 65 to 80 days from seed to harvest, which is on par with or slightly better than many modern autos. In environments with long summer days or controlled indoor lighting, the strain can offer 400 to 550 grams per square meter indoors, or 60 to 150 grams per plant outdoors under competent care.
History and Breeding Philosophy of GrassOmatic
GrassOmatic was among a handful of European breeders that pushed autoflower genetics from novelty into practicality. While early autos in the late 2000s were often low in potency and yield, GrassOmatic’s projects focused on stabilizing desired traits like uniform plant height, longer colas, and improved resin production. Maxi GOM emerged from that context, designed to be a larger, more flavorful, and more productive autoflower without sacrificing speed.
During its development cycle, breeders selected for quick onset of flowering under continuous light and a robust root system capable of high nutrient uptake. Reports from the era describe targeted backcrossing and phenotype selection aimed at reducing variability in plant structure. The result was a cultivar that reliably transitions to flower and packs weight even in comparatively small containers.
This breeder-first strategy coincided with increased grower demand for discrete, small-footprint plants capable of finishing in less than 12 weeks. Autos like Maxi GOM allowed microgrowers to run 18 to 20 hours of daily light, minimize vegetative delays, and still harvest potent, terpene-rich flowers. By the mid-2010s, Maxi GOM had earned a reputation as a consistent performer that outpaced the typical expectations for earlier-generation autos.
Genetic Lineage and Autoflowering Background
Maxi GOM’s heritage is a blend of ruderalis, indica, and sativa, with the ruderalis component conferring its autoflowering trait. While GrassOmatic has historically emphasized performance over publicizing exact parentage, community consensus associates Maxi GOM with lineage reminiscent of productive European indica-sativa hybrids crossed into stabilized ruderalis lines. Some growers liken its structure and aroma to crosses in the family of Critical or AK-type autos, though the breeder has focused more on phenotype outcomes than brand-name parent claims.
Ruderalis genetics trigger flowering independent of photoperiod, meaning Maxi GOM will flower under almost any light schedule once it reaches maturity. This trait is polygenic and was stabilized through successive selections that maintained yield and resin density. The indica influence often shows as compact internodes and heavier colas, while the sativa side contributes to lateral branching and a brighter high.
Genetic stabilization is evident in the strain’s uniformity. Growers consistently report similar finishing windows and plant heights, suggesting high in-line stability for an autoflower. These characteristics are particularly prized by commercial micro-operators and tent growers who need predictability for staggered harvests.
Morphology and Appearance of Maxi GOM
Maxi GOM plants typically reach 70 to 110 centimeters indoors and up to 120 centimeters outdoors when grown in larger containers. The structure is semi-compact, with a central cola often dominating and several productive satellite branches. Internode spacing is moderate, allowing airflow while still stacking dense flowers along the main stem.
Bud formation tends to be chunky and conical, with calyxes swelling noticeably in the final two weeks. Trichome density is high for an autoflower and can give mature colas a shimmering, frosty appearance under light. Pistils start a pale cream or orange and darken toward rust as harvest approaches.
Leaf color is typically a vigorous mid-green, with occasional darker phenotypes under high nitrogen early in life. The foliage is broad to medium in width, revealing indica influence in cooler environments. In late flower, some phenotypes may exhibit subtle purple or lavender hues if night temperatures drop by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius.
Aroma and Bouquet
The aroma of Maxi GOM is often described as sweet-forward with a ripe fruit core, layered over herbal and woody undertones. Users commonly report notes reminiscent of mango, sweet citrus, or melon, paired with a light peppery kick from caryophyllene. Some phenotypes also carry a sugar-dough or candy-like top note that becomes more pronounced after a proper cure.
When the flowers are broken apart, the bouquet intensifies, releasing terpenes that can fill a room within minutes. During late flower, the aroma can become quite pungent, so odor control is advised for indoor grows. Carbon filters rated for at least 200 to 400 CFM per square meter of canopy are often recommended to manage scent in sealed or semi-sealed spaces.
Aroma strength typically rises significantly between days 50 and 70 from seed. Growers who preserve humidity around 55 to 60 percent and avoid excessive heat during dry and cure often achieve a more elegant bouquet. Inadequate curing can flatten the fruit notes and push the peppery component too far forward.
Flavor Profile and Combustion Characteristics
Maxi GOM’s flavor aligns with its aroma, delivering sweet fruit on the inhale and a gentle herbal-woody exhale. Many users report a primary note of tropical fruit with a citrus rind brightness near the tip of the tongue. The aftertaste can linger with a light pepper-spice and faint floral lift.
Vaporizing between 175 and 190 degrees Celsius often emphasizes the fruit and floral side by preferentially volatilizing monoterpenes like limonene and myrcene. At higher temperatures or in combustion, the peppery and woody aspects become more prominent due to increased release of caryophyllene and humulene. Clean white ash and smooth draws are most commonly achieved after a 10 to 14 day dry and 2 to 4 week cure.
Growers find that a slow cure preserves sweetness and softens any green edges, particularly for larger colas. Burping jars to maintain 58 to 62 percent relative humidity helps sustain terpene integrity and avoid harshness. Over-drying below 55 percent RH can collapse the flavor complexity and reduce perceived potency.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency
Maxi GOM typically falls into the moderate-to-strong range for an autoflower of its era. Breeder and grower reports commonly place THC between 14 and 19 percent by dry weight, with occasional phenotypes testing slightly above or below depending on environment and harvest timing. CBD is usually low, around 0.2 to 1.0 percent, making this strain more psychoactive than balanced.
Potency varies with factors such as light intensity, nutrient management, and harvest maturity. Autos harvested at a higher proportion of cloudy trichomes with 10 to 20 percent amber often present the most satisfying potency for many users. Environmental stress like heat spikes over 30 degrees Celsius can depress cannabinoid accumulation by several percentage points, as reported anecdotally among indoor growers.
Minor cannabinoids such as CBG are occasionally detectable in trace amounts, commonly 0.1 to 0.4 percent in home tests reported by growers. Although these compounds are present in small quantities, some users attribute a rounder effect profile to them. Overall, Maxi GOM sits squarely in the reliable potency tier for autos, delivering a clean lift without overwhelming sedation.
Terpene Profile and Minor Aromatics
The dominant terpene spectrum of Maxi GOM often centers on myrcene, limonene, and beta-caryophyllene. In grower-reported lab results, myrcene is frequently the most abundant, ranging roughly 0.5 to 1.2 percent by weight in well-grown samples. Limonene commonly appears between 0.2 and 0.8 percent, while beta-caryophyllene may range 0.15 to 0.6 percent.
Supporting terpenes like linalool, humulene, and ocimene can add floral, woody, and green-fruit accents. Linalool content, typically under 0.2 percent, contributes to a soothing edge that users perceive as calm. Humulene, often around 0.1 to 0.3 percent, may bolster the woody and slightly bitter undertones.
These terpene levels are sensitive to cultivation practices. Excessive heat during late flower can volatilize monoterpenes, resulting in a flatter aroma with diminished fruit notes. Conversely, maintaining peak canopy temperatures near 24 to 26 degrees Celsius and preserving terpenes during dry and cure often yields the sweetest, most complex profile.
Experiential Effects: Onset, Plateau, and Duration
Maxi GOM delivers a cheerful onset that many users experience within minutes of inhalation. The initial phase is often characterized by uplifted mood, social ease, and a gentle sensory brightening that suits daytime or early evening use. For many, the plateau arrives quickly, settling into a balanced body lightness without couchlock.
The duration of effects commonly spans 2 to 3 hours for experienced users, with a gradual taper that avoids a sharp crash. Some individuals report improved focus for low-stress tasks, creative hobbies, or relaxed conversation. Higher doses or late-harvest samples with more amber trichomes may steer the experience toward physical relaxation.
Relative to heavy indica autos, Maxi GOM tends to avoid heavy sedation at common serving sizes. Anxiety-prone users should titrate slowly, as the bright onset can be stimulating if consumed rapidly. Many find that a small, measured dose via vaporizer yields the most consistent and comfortable experience.
Potential Medical Applications and Use Considerations
Given its moderate-to-strong THC levels and uplifting profile, Maxi GOM is often considered for stress relief and mood support. Users anecdotally report reductions in perceived stress and mild anxiety at low doses, correlating with limonene’s well-documented mood-elevating potential. For some, the strain helps blunt situational stressors without inducing lethargy, especially when vaporized at lower temperatures.
Pain relief reports center around mild to moderate discomfort, including tension headaches or post-exercise soreness. The presence of beta-caryophyllene, which acts as a CB2 receptor agonist, may contribute to perceived anti-inflammatory benefits, although human data in cannabis contexts is still emerging. Individuals with chronic or severe pain often combine this strain with non-psychoactive CBD sources to broaden the therapeutic window.
Appetite stimulation and mild nausea relief are additional areas where users find Maxi GOM helpful. Those sensitive to THC should begin at very low doses to avoid discomfort, especially in settings that demand concentration. As always, medical use should be discussed with a qualified professional, and local regulations should be respected.
Cultivation Guide: Indoors, Outdoors, and Greenhouse
Maxi GOM’s complete cycle runs roughly 65 to 80 days from seed in most environments, with first pistils often appearing by days 18 to 25. Indoors, the strain thrives under 18 to 20 hours of light daily, with many growers preferring 18 hours to allow a 6-hour rest period. Outdoors at mid-latitudes, sowing from late spring through midsummer maximizes ambient light and thermal stability.
Indoor yields typically range from 400 to 550 grams per square meter under LED fixtures delivering 700 to 900 micromoles per square meter per second PPFD in flower. Outdoors, 60 to 150 grams per plant is a realistic span, scaling with pot size, sunlight, and nutrient availability. Greenhouse environments can push the upper end of outdoor yields by leveraging season extension and better RH control.
The strain is adaptable to soil, coco, or hydroponic media. In soil, a lightly amended mix with good drainage and a pH of 6.2 to 6.8 is ideal. In hydro or coco, maintain pH near 5.8 to 6.2 and closely monitor EC to prevent overfeeding during the rapid mid-cycle growth spurt.
Nutrient Management, Training, and Plant Care
Autos like Maxi GOM are sensitive to early transplant shock and prolonged high nitrogen. Many growers start in the final container, using 11 to 18 liter pots for indoor runs and up to 25 liters outdoors, to avoid root restriction. A gentle feeding schedule during the first 2 to 3 weeks, aiming for EC 0.6 to 0.8, prevents early burn and keeps growth compact and healthy.
Increase feed strength as the plant enters vigorous growth, moving toward EC 1.0 to 1.4 in late veg and 1.4 to 1.8 in early flower. In peak flower weeks, EC around 1.6 to 2.0 is usually sufficient if the plant is handling light intensity and transpiration well. Overfeeding can manifest as leaf tip burn and dark, clawed leaves, which reduce overall resin and terpene expression.
Training should favor low-stress methods. Gentle bending of the main stem and laterals between days 15 and 25 from sprout can open the canopy and prevent a single cola from shading everything else. Topping is possible but best reserved for experienced growers and only if done very early, as topping after day 20 can significantly delay or reduce yields in autos.
Environmental Parameters and IPM
Aim for daytime temperatures of 22 to 26 degrees Celsius and nighttime 18 to 21 degrees for steady growth. Relative humidity should trend from 60 to 70 percent in early growth down to 50 to 55 percent in late flower, or lower if dense colas increase botrytis risk. Maintaining a vapor pressure deficit in the 0.8 to 1.2 kilopascal range helps optimize stomatal function without inviting powdery mildew.
Light intensity drives yield in autos, but overshooting can cause photo-oxidative stress. Veg and early preflower are comfortable at 500 to 700 PPFD, rising to 700 to 900 PPFD in mid-late flower if CO2 is ambient. If adding supplemental CO2 to 800 to 1,000 ppm, many growers safely push 900 to 1,050 PPFD while watching leaf temperature and nutrient uptake.
Pest management should be preventative. Sticky cards at canopy height, weekly scouting, and periodic applications of biological controls like Bacillus subtilis for foliar pathogens or Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis for fungus gnat larvae can keep pressures low. Avoid foliar sprays beyond early flower to protect trichomes and terpenes.
Harvest, Drying, and Curing for Maxi GOM
By days 60 to 75 from seed, many plants reach harvest readiness, with some phenotypes taking up to day 80 for full maturity. Growers commonly target a trichome ratio of mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 percent amber for a balanced effect profile. Harvest timing impacts both potency and perceived effect, with earlier cuts leaning brighter and later cuts leaning more relaxing.
Drying at 15 to 18 degrees Celsius and 58 to 62 percent relative humidity for 10 to 14 days produces a slow, even dry that preserves terpenes. Airflow should be gentle and indirect, with 6 to 10 air exchanges per hour in the dry space to prevent stagnation. Stems should snap rather than bend before initiating cure.
Curing in airtight containers with calibrated humidity packs or careful burping maintains 58 to 62 percent RH. The most significant improvements in flavor and smoothness often occur in the first 2 to 4 weeks of cure. Fully realized fruit-forward sweetness tends to plateau by week six, though long cures can continue refining texture and combustion.
Yield Expectations and Grow Economics
Indoors, well-dialed runs commonly deliver 400 to 550 grams per square meter, with experienced growers occasionally surpassing that under optimized LEDs and well-tuned VPD. Outdoors, single plants in 20 to 25 liter containers under strong sun and good nutrition often return 100 to 150 grams. Smaller balcony or guerrilla setups with 10 liter pots may see closer to 60 to 90 grams per plant.
From an economic standpoint, the short cycle time can increase annual turnover. With 70-day runs and minimal downtime, growers can achieve four to five harvests per year in controlled environments. Electricity costs can be contained by running 18 hours of light daily rather than 20 or 24, with minimal yield penalty in many cases.
Nutrient and substrate expenses are modest compared to long-cycle photoperiods due to the smaller overall biomass and faster finish. Autos reduce the need for multiple tent areas dedicated to separate veg and flower rooms, which cuts equipment overhead. For microgrowers, this streamlined workflow often offsets slightly lower peak yields compared to large photoperiod plants.
Common Pitfalls, Phenotypes, and Troubleshooting
The most frequent pitfall is overfeeding during the rapid mid-cycle stretch, which can lead to leaf clawing and reduced bud density. Another is overly aggressive training or topping too late, which can stunt autos and compress yields significantly. Light intensity set too high early in life can cause tight, stunted growth and interveinal chlorosis.
Phenotypic expression in Maxi GOM is relatively tight compared to many autos, but subtle differences appear in aroma dominance and cola shape. Some phenotypes emphasize a mango-citrus top note, while others lean into woody-spicy tones. Structure may vary from a single central spear to a slightly more branched form with multiple mid-sized tops.
Troubleshooting should start with environmental baselines. Check pH drift, confirm EC at runoff or reservoir matches targets, and validate actual PPFD at canopy with a meter rather than relying on distance charts. If leaves taco or canoe under light, reduce intensity by 10 to 15 percent or raise the fixture 10 to 15 centimeters and reassess within 48 hours.
Data References and Market Presence
While Maxi GOM does not have the marketing saturation of flagship photoperiod strains, it remains steadily referenced in online indices and community grow logs. CannaConnection’s sitemap includes Maxi GoM among its cataloged strains, reflecting continuing interest and archival recognition. Forum posts and grow diaries from the 2010s into the 2020s consistently document cycle lengths in the 65 to 80 day window and yields that align with the 400 to 550 grams per square meter indoor standard under modern LEDs.
The reliability of these figures varies with reporting quality and methodology, but consistent clustering around these ranges supports their practical utility. For cannabinoid content, community-shared lab tests for well-grown autos of this generation frequently land in the mid-teens to high-teens THC. This places Maxi GOM in a competitive position for growers prioritizing speed, simplicity, and agreeable flavor over sheer maximum potency.
As autoflower breeding continues to advance, Maxi GOM represents a well-rounded midpoint in the category. It exemplifies a generation where autos became not just convenient, but genuinely enjoyable in the jar and in use. Its steady presence in databases and grow reports suggests a dependable reputation that persists beyond early novelty.
Legal, Safety, and Responsible Use Notes
Cultivation and use of cannabis are regulated and vary widely by jurisdiction, so always check local laws and comply with licensing or personal-use limits. For medical applications, consult a healthcare professional familiar with cannabinoid therapies to tailor dosing and discuss potential interactions with medications. Be mindful that THC can impair reaction time, memory, and judgment, and never drive or operate machinery while under the influence.
Individuals new to THC should start with very low doses and increase gradually after assessing personal response over multiple sessions. Vaporization at controlled temperatures can provide a more predictable onset and reduce exposure to combustion byproducts. Secure all cannabis products away from children and pets, and store cured flower in a cool, dark place to preserve potency and flavor.
Final Thoughts and Strain Positioning
Maxi GOM stands as a classic example of how the autoflower category matured into a reliable production option. It balances a friendly growth curve with satisfying aroma and flavor, supporting both new growers and experienced cultivators seeking quick turnaround. The ruderalis/indica/sativa blend is tuned for uniformity, while the flavor profile stays engaging from first jar to the last.
In practical terms, this strain rewards disciplined environmental control and a light touch on training. Kept within its preferred PPFD, VPD, and feeding ranges, Maxi GOM can deliver dense, resinous flowers and a bright, comfortable effect across different growing conditions. For those assembling a rotation of autos for continuous harvests, it remains a dependable anchor that pairs well with both citrus-leaning and dessert-leaning cultivars.
As catalogs evolve, Maxi GOM’s value proposition remains clear. It offers predictable timing, approachable potency, and enjoyable fruit-forward notes without fussy cultivation demands. That combination explains why it continues to appear in strain indices and grow logs, and why many growers return to it after exploring newer, flashier releases.
