Written by Ad OpsOverview and Context
Mayday is a modern West Coast hybrid associated with 707 Seed Bank, a Humboldt County outfit known for fuel-forward, high-potency cultivars. Growers and consumers often place Mayday in the same performance tier as other 707 releases, expecting assertive potency, dense resin production, and a citrus-diesel nose. While it remains less ubiquitous than flagship varieties from the same region, it has gained a quiet reputation among cultivators for its vigor and adaptable growth habits.
In community circulation, Mayday is typically described as a balanced yet potent hybrid tuned for strong head-and-body synergy. Its name also invites perennial confusion with similarly named strains, which makes breeder attribution critical when purchasing seeds or flower. This article focuses specifically on Mayday by 707 Seed Bank and compiles technical cultivation guidance, chemistry heuristics, and end-user insights aligned with that lineage.
Because the cannabis market remains fragmented and naming conventions can vary, reported lab data and aroma or effect descriptions may differ by region and phenotype. Nonetheless, consistent themes emerge across grow logs and consumer notes: lemon-fuel aromatics, a peppery finish, and a high ceiling for potency under optimized conditions. The following sections assemble what is reliably known and what experienced growers and testers commonly report.
History and Naming
707 Seed Bank emerged from the Humboldt County scene, where the 707 area code became shorthand for Northern California’s Emerald Triangle pedigree. Breeders from this region popularized diesel, kush, and headband-adjacent profiles, emphasizing resin density, outdoor adaptability, and finishes timed to avoid mid- to late-October rains. Mayday fits squarely into that ethos, balancing market-demand flavors with field-ready resilience.
The origin of Mayday’s name is not officially documented by 707 Seed Bank, and thus should be treated as community lore rather than recorded fact. Some growers associate the name with the spring planting season (May), while others read it as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the cultivar’s potent, “distress-call” strength. Regardless, the naming has stuck due to its brevity and memorability among West Coast operators.
In dispensary menus and seed banks, Mayday appears intermittently, often in limited drops compared to perpetual staples like 707 Headband. This intermittent availability likely reflects small-batch runs, phenotype selection cycles, and regional demand patterns rather than the strain’s capability. As with many Humboldt-born cultivars, Mayday’s reputation spread via word-of-mouth, caregiver networks, and grow forums before trickling into broader retail channels.
Genetic Lineage and Breeding Background
707 Seed Bank has not publicly released authoritative parentage for Mayday, and that absence of a published pedigree is important to state clearly. In the absence of official disclosure, grower speculation commonly places Mayday adjacent to OG/Diesel families that are emblematic of the 707 catalog. This hypothesis is supported by the observed lemon-fuel aromatics, peppery aftertaste, and a bud structure consistent with hybridized OG or Headband lines.
Practically, phenotype expression in Mayday often shows hybrid vigor: robust lateral branching, intermediate internodal spacing, and a calyx-forward finish under strong light. Those traits are consistent with polyhybrid breeding focused on resin output and bag appeal rather than landrace-like uniformity. The cultivar’s performance under both indoor and outdoor programs suggests a stabilized but still diverse gene pool, where selection can tilt more citrus-fuel or pine-herbal depending on environment.
Until the breeder provides a verified genetic map, the most accurate description is a Humboldt-bred, diesel-leaning hybrid with OG-adjacent influence. Growers should source directly from 707 Seed Bank or well-reviewed resellers, keeping receipts and batch numbers to trace seed stock. Because unofficial crosses sometimes circulate under the same name, maintaining provenance is essential for repeatable results.
Distinguishing Mayday from Mayday Express
It is easy to confuse Mayday with Mayday Express, an autoflowering cultivar that appears on several cannabis websites and strain databases. For example, CannaConnection’s sitemap references Mayday Express among its catalog entries, underscoring how similar names can create cross-talk between unrelated genetics. The autoflowering designation alone marks a major difference in lifecycle, photoperiod response, and cultivation strategy.
Mayday, as discussed in this article, is a photoperiod hybrid attributed to 707 Seed Bank, not an autoflowering line. Photoperiod Mayday demands a standard 18/6 veg and 12/12 flower cycle indoors and follows seasonal light outdoors, whereas Mayday Express typically flowers irrespective of light cycle. Buyers and growers should verify breeder, seed type (photoperiod vs. auto), and harvest time claims before purchase to avoid misaligned expectations.
If you encounter a vendor listing Mayday with explicit autoflowering characteristics or a 60–75-day seed-to-harvest promise, that likely refers to Mayday Express rather than 707 Mayday. Seed labeling, breeder branding, and COA naming can prevent costly mix-ups. Always confirm which “Mayday” you are getting before you start a grow.
Appearance and Bud Structure
Mayday typically produces medium-to-large conical flowers with a calyx-forward structure and moderate fox-tailing only under late-stage heat stress. Bracts swell noticeably in weeks 6–9 of flower, creating dense, knuckled tops that trim clean and cure with strong bag appeal. In cooler night temperatures, anthocyanin expression may streak the bracts with violet, while warmer rooms favor a uniform emerald-lime green.
Pistils start tawny or peach and darken to burnt orange toward maturity, often curling tightly into the resin mat as trichome heads fill. Trichome coverage is a visual highlight, presenting as a thick, frosted sheen with abundant, bulbous heads suitable for solventless extraction. Growers report a relatively favorable calyx-to-leaf ratio, making for efficient hand-trimming and minimal larf when light penetration is maintained.
Nug density is high to very high when canopy parameters are dialed in, with a finished water activity in the 0.55–0.62 range after a proper dry. On the scale, well-grown indoor buds commonly range from 0.7–2.5 grams per trimmed cola nug depending on plant size and training. The finished aesthetic is modern craft-tier: tight structure, copious resin, and hues that photograph well against dark backdrops.
Aroma
Pre-grind, Mayday often opens with citrus-zest top notes anchored by fuel and pine. The bouquet can shift from lemon pledge and diesel to grapefruit pith with a peppery backbone, a signature that hints at limonene, beta-caryophyllene, and alpha-pinene synergy. Sweet herbal and woody undertones sometimes appear after a gentle squeeze, especially in phenotypes that lean more OG than Diesel.
Once ground, the profile intensifies and clarifies toward sharp lemon-diesel, sometimes revealing faint floral or tea-like nuances that were muted in whole-flower form. This transformation is typical of terpene release dynamics where monoterpenes volatilize rapidly and sesquiterpenes linger. A freshly ground jar will fill a small room quickly, so odor control is recommended in shared or low-profile settings.
During cure, the aromatic arc trends from volatile-citrus forward to a more rounded lemon-pine with pepper-sandalwood framing. A 4–8 week cure frequently deepens the bass notes, improving perceived smoothness while retaining the headliner citrus. Terpene retention correlates with cure conditions; jars kept near 58–62% relative humidity preserve top notes better than overly dry cures.
Flavor
The inhale usually delivers lemon peel and sweet diesel, followed by pine and herbal notes that broaden across the palate. On the exhale, many users detect a peppery tickle at the back of the throat, consistent with beta-caryophyllene and humulene presence. The finish lingers as a zesty citrus with a faint woody echo reminiscent of cedar or sandalwood in some cuts.
Vaporization at 175–185°C tends to accentuate lemon and pine while reducing pepper bite, providing a clearer terpene read. Lower-temperature dabs of rosin extracted from Mayday flowers often show a candied lemon top with a clean, resinous aftertaste. Combustion smoothness depends heavily on a proper flush and cure; harshness usually reflects grow or post-harvest variables more than the chemovar itself.
Pairing Mayday with citrus-forward beverages or neutral sparkling water allows the zest and diesel facets to stand out. Savory pairings, like rosemary flatbread or lightly peppered cheese, can mirror the strain’s pepper-pine substructure. As with many OG/Diesel-adjacent hybrids, palate fatigue can set in after repeated sessions, so rotating glassware and cleaning rigs preserves flavor clarity.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency
Across legal markets, contemporary hybrid cultivars commonly test in the 18–24% THC range, and Mayday is frequently reported in this potency band when grown skillfully. In some dialed-in indoor runs, total THC can reach the mid-20s, with total cannabinoids (THC + CBD + minor cannabinoids) reported around 20–28%. CBD levels are generally low (<1%), placing Mayday squarely among THC-dominant chemotypes.
Minor cannabinoids such as CBG commonly appear at 0.2–1.5% across hybrid flower samples, with Mayday falling within this standard envelope based on grower-shared COAs and general market trends. THCV is usually trace-level but can spike in rare phenotypes; it is not a defining feature of this cultivar. When calculating dose, users should consider total cannabinoids rather than THC alone, as minor cannabinoids can subtly modulate effect.
Edible extracts and solventless rosin derived from Mayday can concentrate potency further, often reaching 60–75% THC for rosin and 70–85% for hydrocarbon concentrates, depending on process. For flower sessions, typical consumer dosing ranges from 5–15 mg inhaled THC per session for casual users and 15–35 mg for high-tolerance users. Novices should start in the 1–3 mg inhaled THC range and titrate cautiously due to Mayday’s rapid onset.
Terpene Profile and Chemical Ecology
Growers and lab reports for similar diesel-leaning hybrids show total terpene content typically in the 1.5–3.0% by weight range when properly grown and cured. Mayday often aligns with this range, presenting limonene, beta-caryophyllene, and myrcene as primary contributors, with alpha-pinene, humulene, and ocimene as frequent supporting players. This matrix produces the recognizable citrus-fuel top notes with pepper-wood depth.
Approximate terpene distributions for Mayday-like profiles often show limonene at 0.3–0.8%, beta-caryophyllene at 0.2–0.6%, and myrcene at 0.3–0.9% in flower. Alpha-pinene and humulene commonly appear in the 0.1–0.4% band each, with total terpene percentages summing near 2%. These figures vary by phenotype, cultivation method, and post-harvest handling, but they map well to the observed flavor and aroma.
From a functional perspective, limonene is associated with citrus aroma and a perceived uplifting quality, while beta-caryophyllene engages CB2 receptors and may contribute to anti-inflammatory effects. Myrcene can modulate sedation at higher concentrations, and alpha-pinene is linked with alertness and bronchodilation. The net result for Mayday is a balanced, enlivening headspace anchored by a grounded body feel rather than a purely sedative arc.
Experiential Effects and Use Cases
Subjective reports commonly describe a fast-hitting onset within 2–5 minutes of inhalation, with a bright, energetic lift followed by a warm, relaxing body drift after 20–40 minutes. The first phase often brings enhanced sensory salience, mild euphoria, and improved task engagement, especially at low to moderate doses. The second phase introduces muscle loosening and a tranquil baseline that avoids couchlock unless dosing is high.
Duration typically lasts 2–3 hours for inhaled flower, with peak effects in the first 45–90 minutes. Concentrates compress onset to near-instantaneous and can extend duration slightly, but they also increase the risk of overconsumption. Users sensitive to THC should remain below 5 mg inhaled THC per session to minimize anxiety or tachycardia.
Common side effects include dry mouth (reported by roughly 40–60% of users for THC-dominant strains), dry eyes (20–30%), and occasional dizziness at higher doses. Anxiety or racing thoughts may occur in THC-sensitive individuals, particularly in noisy or stimulating environments. Hydration, controlled set-and-setting, and incremental titration help ensure a positive experience.
Potential Medical Uses
While clinical research remains limited for specific cultivars, Mayday’s chemotype suggests plausible utility in several domains. The limonene-forward profile and balanced THC potency align with anecdotal relief for stress, low mood, and situational anxiety at low doses. Beta-caryophyllene’s CB2 agonism is associated with anti-inflammatory activity, which may benefit mild musculoskeletal pain and exercise-related soreness.
For sleep, Mayday’s effect curve can be double-edged: low doses earlier in the evening may provide relaxation without heavy sedation, whereas higher doses close to bedtime might prolong sleep latency for some. Patients seeking sleep support should consider a small dose 2–3 hours before bed or pair with a more myrcene-dominant cultivar for late-night use. Headache and migraine sufferers sometimes report benefit, though high limonene profiles can trigger sensitivity in a minority of users.
Dosing strategies for medical use should start conservatively: 1–2 mg inhaled THC for naive users, 2–5 mg for occasional users, and 5–10 mg for experienced patients, with 10–15 minute pauses between inhalations. For inflammation or spasm control, spaced microdoses (e.g., 1–2 mg every 45–60 minutes) can provide steady symptom coverage with fewer cognitive side effects. Always consult a healthcare professional if using cannabis alongside prescription medications, especially sedatives, SSRIs, or blood pressure agents.
Cultivation Guide: Environment, Nutrients, and Training
Mayday performs strongly in both soil and soilless media, with optimal root-zone pH of 6.2–6.8 in soil and 5.8–6.1 in hydro/coco. In veg, target day temperatures of 24–28°C and night temps of 18–22°C, with relative humidity at 55–65% and VPD near 0.9–1.2 kPa. In flower, lower RH to 40–50% (35–45% late flower) to mitigate botrytis risk while holding day temps at 24–26°C for terpene retention.
Nutrient strength responds well to moderate EC: 1.2–1.6 mS/cm in veg, 1.7–2.2 mS/cm in peak bloom, and a taper in the final 10–14 days. Calcium and magnesium supplementation is advisable in reverse-osmosis or coco systems; aim for 100–150 ppm Ca and 40–60 ppm Mg. Keep sulfur and micronutrients available to safeguard terp synthesis; sulfur deficiency is a common but preventable terpene killer.
Canopy management benefits from low-stress training (LST), topping between nodes 4–6, and a SCROG or light trellis to even the canopy. Mayday tolerates higher PPFD in flower (900–1200 µmol/m²/s with supplemental CO2 at 900–1200 ppm), but without CO2, cap PPFD near 850–950 µmol/m²/s to avoid photoinhibition. Internodal spacing tightens under blue-enriched spectra in veg and balanced full-spectrum white in flower.
Cultivation Guide: Propagation, Veg, and Flowering Timeline
Start seeds in a light, well-draining mix with mild nutrition (EC 0.6–0.8 mS/cm), keeping media warm at 24–26°C and RH 65–75% until established. Transplant once roots circle the plug or cup, typically at day 10–14. In veg, run 18/6 or 20/4 light schedules for 3–6 weeks depending on final plant count and container size.
For indoor rooms, plan a 1x topping at week 2–3 of veg, then LST every 3–4 days to maintain horizontal growth. Defoliate selectively: remove large, shading fan leaves across weeks 2 and 3 of flower, then again at week 6 if density demands airflow. Excessive stripping can depress yield, so preserve healthy fans that feed active colas.
Flip to 12/12 when plants reach 50–70% of target height; Mayday generally stretches 1.6–2.2x in the first three weeks of flower. Total flowering time typically runs 8–10 weeks depending on phenotype and environment. Outdoor in the Northern Hemisphere, expect a mid- to late-October harvest; in Mediterranean climates, Mayday can finish earlier, reducing rain exposure.
Cultivation Guide: Yields, IPM, and Troubleshooting
Indoor yields for Mayday commonly range from 450–600 g/m² under efficient LEDs, with dialed CO2 programs and optimized training pushing 600–750 g/m². Outdoor plants in 50–100+ gallon fabric pots can produce 600–1000+ g per plant with adequate sun and compost-rich soil. Resin density makes Mayday a good candidate for solventless extraction, with well-grown flower yielding 3–5% rosin and sugar trim yielding 2–4%.
Integrated pest management should begin with preventive tactics: weekly scouting, sticky traps, and biologicals such as predatory mites (e.g., Neoseiulus californicus) and generalist predators (Orius, Chrysoperla). Maintain good airflow (0.5–1.0 m/s leaf-surface velocity) and space plants to prevent microclimate humidity spikes that invite powdery mildew and botrytis. Foliar sprays, if used, should be completed by week 2 of flower to avoid residue and terpene loss.
Common issues include magnesium deficiency under intense light, evidenced by interveinal chlorosis on older leaves, and potassium deficiency in mid-flower, showing as leaf-edge burn and crinkling. Correct Mg with Epsom salts at 0.5–1.0 g/L in irrigation; address K by balancing bloom nutrients and ensuring EC isn’t artificially low late in flower. Avoid overfeeding nitrogen beyond week 3–4 of bloom, as excess N can mute terpene expression and slow maturation.
Post-Harvest: Drying, Curing, and Storage
Harvest when trichome heads show 5–15% amber and the majority are cloudy; pistils will be mostly orange-brown and receded. Wet trim large fan leaves to reduce humidity load, then slow-dry whole branches at 60°F/60% RH for 10–14 days. Gentle air movement is critical but avoid direct fans on flowers to preserve terp heads.
After stems snap rather than bend, finish manicure and jar flowers at 62% RH with calibrated hygrometers. Burp jars 1–2 times daily in the first week, then every few days for 2–4 weeks; full cure benefits from 3–8 weeks for maximal flavor development. If RH climbs above 65% in the jar, spread buds for 2–3 hours and re-jar with fresh humidity packs.
For storage, keep jars in cool, dark conditions at 55–60°F to minimize terpene volatilization and cannabinoid oxidation. Avoid frequent temperature swings and excessive oxygen exposure. Properly cured Mayday retains its lemon-fuel profile for several months and can remain within optimal sensory range for 6–12 months if stored correctly.
Market Availability, Testing, and Buying Tips
Because Mayday is not mass-distributed like mainstream flagship strains, availability may be regional and seasonal. Prioritize purchases from retailers that provide COAs with batch numbers, harvest dates, total cannabinoids, and terpene percentages. A robust COA for Mayday flower will typically show THC in the high teens to mid-20s and total terpenes near 1.5–3.0%.
Visually, seek dense, resin-frosted buds with intact trichome heads and a zesty citrus-diesel nose when the jar is cracked. Stale or grassy odors suggest poor cure, while over-dry buds (<50% RH) may crumble and lose top notes. If buying seeds, confirm the breeder as 707 Seed Bank and distinguish photoperiod Mayday from Mayday Express or other similarly named entries.
Consider trial purchases before committing to large quantities for extraction or retail. Growers planning pheno hunts should pop 6–12 seeds to sample the cultivar’s expression range and select for the preferred lemon-fuel vs. pine-herbal tilt. Keep detailed logs of aroma, structure, and maturation to identify keeper cuts over multiple runs.
Responsible Use, Tolerance, and Safety
As a THC-dominant hybrid, Mayday warrants respect for its fast onset and potentially high ceiling. New users should begin with one small inhalation, wait 10–15 minutes, and only then consider a second. Experienced users should calibrate sessions to their environment and task demands, avoiding heavy dosing prior to high-stakes activities.
Tolerance can build rapidly with daily use; cycling days off or rotating lower-THC, higher-terpene varieties can preserve efficacy. Combining Mayday with alcohol or sedative medications increases impairment risk and is not recommended. Adverse reactions such as anxiety can often be mitigated by reassurance, hydration, and retreating to a calm environment; if symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
For households with children or pets, store all cannabis products in locked, child-resistant containers. Clearly label jars with strain name, harvest date, and potency if known. Odor-proof storage also prevents unintended exposure and preserves privacy.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Mayday, bred by 707 Seed Bank, exemplifies Humboldt-bred craftsmanship: lemon-fuel aromatics, assertive potency, and sturdy growth across multiple environments. While the exact genetic lineage remains undisclosed, the cultivar’s performance aligns with diesel- and OG-adjacent families, yielding dense, resinous flowers and an effect profile that blends uplift with comforting body relaxation. For growers, it offers reliable yields, strong terpene expression under careful cure, and amenability to SCROG and LST training.
From a chemistry perspective, Mayday commonly expresses total terpene content around 1.5–3.0%, led by limonene and beta-caryophyllene with meaningful contributions from myrcene and alpha-pinene. Potency generally lands in the 18–24% THC band for flower, with higher numbers achievable under optimized inputs and post-harvest discipline. These metrics translate into versatile recreational use and plausible medical utility for stress modulation and mild pain relief.
Finally, buyers should distinguish 707’s photoperiod Mayday from Mayday Express, an autoflowering cultivar listed on sites like CannaConnection. Confirm breeder, seed type, and COAs to ensure you get the intended experience. With proper sourcing and mindful cultivation, Mayday delivers a modern, citrus-diesel showcase worthy of the 707 pedigree.
