Power Flower: The South African Engine
Power Flower: The South African Engine
(Note: In the Royal Queen Seeds catalog, this strain is officially named Power Flower, though it is frequently colloquially referred to as "Flower Power" by growers due to its legendary production capabilities.)
Strain Overview
Type: Heavily Sativa-Dominant (88% Sativa / 12% Indica)
Breeder: Royal Queen Seeds (RQS)
Lineage: South African Sativas (Original Power Plant IBL)
Market Status: The "Commercial King"; Power Flower is the RQS iteration of the legendary Dutch coffeeshop staple, Power Plant. When Dutch breeders visited South Africa in the 90s, they discovered tall, vigorous landraces that produced clear, energetic highs. By stabilizing these genetics for indoor growing, they created a plant that retained the Sativa effects but adopted the speed and yield of an Indica. It is widely considered one of the most efficient "Cash Crops" in history because it produces massive amounts of bud in a remarkably short time.
THC Content: Moderate-High (19% – 20%)
Dominant Terpenes: Pinene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
Key Effects: Energetic Buzz, Mental Clarity, Creative Focus, "Anti-Anxiety" Sativa
Power Flower is a piece of botanical engineering.
Most Sativas are difficult to grow—they stretch too much, take too long to flower, and produce fluffy buds. Power Flower solves all of these problems. It is a nearly pure Sativa that finishes flowering in just 8 weeks and produces nuggets as dense as rocks. It offers the smoker a trip to the energetic fields of South Africa without the racy paranoia often associated with Haze strains.
History and Lineage: The African Landrace
This strain is a direct descendant of the wild.
The Origin: In the mid-1990s, Dutch growers traveled to South Africa to collect "Dagga" (cannabis) genetics. They found a specific line of Sativas that were incredibly robust and fast-flowering.
The Stabilization: Unlike many modern hybrids that are crosses of crosses (poly-hybrids), Power Flower is an IBL (Inbred Line). Breeders worked the South African genetics over generations to lock in the traits of high yield and fast flowering, creating a stable strain that grows uniformly.
The RQS Twist: Royal Queen Seeds refined this classic "Power Plant" lineage to ensure it was feminized and reliable for the home grower, renaming it Power Flower to highlight its blooming capability.
Terpene Profile: The Forest Floor
Power Flower steers away from the candy/dessert trends and offers a classic, savory profile. It smells "green" and fresh.
Dominant Terpenes
Pinene (The Forest): The dominant terpene. It provides a sharp pine needle and wood aroma that opens the airways and contributes to the strain's ability to improve focus.
Myrcene (The Earth): Adds a damp herbal and soil background that grounds the lighter top notes.
Limonene (The Citrus): A subtle lemon-lime zest that becomes more apparent when the bud is broken open.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is fresh and zesty. It smells of pine sap, wet earth, and tart lemons.
The Smoke: Smooth and light. It tastes of herbal tea, sandalwood, and mild spice. It is a very "clean" tasting smoke that doesn't leave a heavy aftertaste.
Strain Effects: The Battery Charger
Power Flower is a functional Sativa. It charges your batteries rather than draining them.
The Experience
The Spark: The high hits quickly with a buzz of mental energy. You feel awake, alert, and ready to move.
The Clarity: Unlike Amnesia Haze, which can be disorienting, Power Flower offers lucid focus. It is excellent for working, cleaning, or exercising.
The Mood: It is famously uplifting. It combats stress and fatigue, replacing them with a "can-do" attitude.
The Body: Because it has very little Indica influence, there is almost no body load or couch-lock. You can smoke this in the morning and function perfectly all day.
Best For: Morning use, gym workouts, social events, fighting depression/fatigue, and creative writing.
Growing Power Flower: The Yield Machine
This is the strain's claim to fame. It was bred to fill jars.
Growth Structure
The Yield: Very High. It is a biomass monster. Indoors, it easily yields 500–550g/m². Outdoors in a warm climate, it can produce huge bushes.
The Speed: It finishes flowering in 8 to 9 weeks. This is incredibly fast for a strain that is 88% Sativa.
The Structure: It grows Tall and Lanky. It will stretch significantly when flipped to flower. It has long internodes that fill up with long, spear-shaped colas.
The Nutrients: It is a heavy feeder. It can handle high EC levels and thrives when pushed with extra nutrients during the flowering stretch.
The Training: It is arguably the best strain for SCROG (Screen of Green). Its long, flexible branches are easy to weave through a net, creating a massive canopy of buds.
Grower’s Tip: Power Flower has "multiple cola" potential. If you top the plant (cut the main stem) early in vegetation, it will produce 4, 8, or even 16 main colas instead of just one. Because the branches are strong, they can support the weight of these multiple heavy buds better than most Sativas.
Final Verdict: The South African Engine
Power Flower is the reliable workhorse of the Sativa world. It doesn't need purple colors or pastry flavors to impress; it impresses with performance. It offers a clear, happy high that lets you enjoy your day, and it grows with a speed and vigor that makes it perfect for beginners or commercial growers looking for a fast turnaround. If you want a jar full of energetic, pine-scented buds without waiting 12 weeks for them to finish, this is the flower power you need.
You should choose Power Flower if:
You want Sativa Effects (Energy/Focus).
You want Fast Flowering (8 weeks).
You use SCROG techniques.
You want "Old School" savory flavors.
Score: 9.1/10 (The Efficiency Expert)