Constantine: The Secret Architect
Constantine: The Secret Architect
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Hybrid (70% Indica / 30% Sativa)
Breeder: Exotic Genetix
Lineage: Orange Valley OG x The Cube
Famous Offspring: The father of Triple OG (and grandfather of Donkey Butter)
THC Content: 20% – 25%
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Myrcene, Pinene
Key Effects: Creeping Sedation, Citrus Euphoria, Muscle Relaxation, Mental Haze
In the genealogy of modern heavy hitters, Constantine acts as the quiet architect. You rarely see this strain on dispensary shelves by itself anymore. Instead, you see its DNA living in the structure and potency of its famous children.
Bred by Exotic Genetix, Constantine was designed to be a structural fixer. Mike (the breeder) took the lanky, vine-like genetics of the West Coast OG family and reinforced them with the brick-house structure of "The Cube." The result was a strain that retained the gas and power of an OG but grew with the frost and density of a hash plant.
Constantine is best known today as the "Bridge" in the Triple OG cross. It is the strain that gave Triple OG (and subsequently Donkey Butter) the ability to stack heavy weight while keeping that devastating potency.
History and Lineage: The Cube Meets the Valley
Constantine is a clash between classic citrus gas and elite resin production.
The Mother (Orange Valley OG): A creation by Gage Green Genetics (818 Pure SFV OG x Agent Orange). This parent provides the distinct "Orange Peel" and "Fuel" aroma. It brings the classic OG high—heavy and euphoric—but adds a twist of citrus zest.
The Father (The Cube): This is one of Exotic Genetix’s most prized breeding males. The Cube is a backcross of Starfighter (Starfighter F1 x Starfighter IX2). It is famous for one thing: turning plants into frost monsters. It adds square, blocky bud structure and massive trichome heads.
The Legacy: When these two crossed, the result was a plant that smelled like oranges and jet fuel but looked like it was dipped in sugar. It was this unique combination of Flavor (Orange Valley) and Structure (The Cube) that made it the perfect candidate to breed with the Triangle Kush and Master Yoda to create the Triple OG.
Terpene Profile: Burnt Orange and Earth
Constantine stands out from the crowd of lemon-heavy OGs by leaning into a darker, sweeter citrus profile.
Dominant Terpenes
Limonene (The Citrus): Unlike the sharp "Lemon Pledge" scent of SFV OG, the Limonene here presents as blood orange or tangerine. It is sweeter and deeper.
Myrcene (The Musk): Provides a heavy earthy base that grounds the citrus, preventing it from smelling like candy.
Pinene (The Sharpness): Adds a crisp, fresh finish that mimics the smell of a pine forest after rain.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: A complex mix of rotting oranges, diesel fumes, and damp soil. It has a "fermented" fruit quality that is very distinct.
The Smoke: Thick and coating. The inhale is sweet citrus and pine, while the exhale reveals the spicy, earthy gas inherited from the Starfighter lineage.
Strain Effects: The Warm Haze
Constantine offers a high that feels like a slow-moving fog. It is potent, but it doesn't hit with the anxiety-inducing rush of a pure OG.
The Experience
The Uplift: Thanks to the Orange Valley genetics, the high starts with a mood-boosting euphoria. You feel happy, hazy, and content.
The Creep: The effects slowly trickle down into the body. The "Starfighter" genetics (via The Cube) add a stoney, distracted mental state.
The Weight: After an hour, the physical sedation sets in. It isn't an immediate knockout, but a gradual increase in gravity.
The Peace: It is a very peaceful strain. It quiets the internal monologue and allows for deep relaxation without total incapacitation (until higher doses are consumed).
Best For: Late afternoon relaxation, video games, managing stress, and creative brainstorming sessions (in the early phase).
Medical Benefits
This strain is excellent for patients who need the pain relief of an OG but dislike the "heart-racing" onset that some gas strains produce.
Chronic Stress: The euphoric onset is highly effective at breaking the cycle of negative thinking.
Muscle Tension: The body stone is deep enough to relax tight shoulders and back muscles.
Depression: The citrus terpenes and happy high make it a strong mood stabilizer.
Loss of Appetite: Like its Triple OG offspring, it triggers a healthy appetite.
Growing Constantine: The Structural Fixer
Growers search for Constantine seeds or cuts because the plant grows beautifully compared to the spindly OGs it is related to.
Growth Structure
The Structure: Thanks to The Cube, Constantine does not stretch uncontrollably. It grows with strong lateral branching and requires less support than a typical OG.
The Frost: It is a "White" strain. The resin coverage is extreme, extending far out onto the fan leaves.
The Yield: Moderate to High. The buds are dense and blocky (cubed), weighing more than they look.
Flowering Time: 8 to 9 weeks.
Grower’s Tip: This strain loves magnesium. The Starfighter genetics can be hungry for micronutrients. Ensure you are supplementing Cal-Mag, especially in weeks 3 through 5 of flower.
Final Verdict: The Secret Architect
Constantine is the unsung hero of the Exotic Genetix lineup. While it may not have the fame of Donkey Butter or Triple OG, it is the genetic engine that made those strains possible. It brought the Structure of the Starfighter and the Flavor of the Orange Valley to the table, fixing the lanky, low-yielding nature of the Triangle Kush family. If you are a student of cannabis genetics, or if you simply love OGs that taste like burnt oranges and gas, Constantine is a bucket-list smoke.
You should choose Constantine if:
You are tracing the lineage of Triple OG.
You love Orange and Gas terpene profiles.
You want an Indica that is euphoric before it is sleepy.
You are a grower looking for strong branching and high resin.
Score: 9.0/10 (The Genetic Architect)