Querkle: The Grape-Flavored Masterpiece
Querkle: The Grape-Flavored Masterpiece
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Hybrid (80% Indica / 20% Sativa)
Breeder: TGA Subcool Seeds (The late, legendary Subcool)
Lineage: Purple Urkle x Space Queen
Market Status: A modern classic; a staple for flavor chasers and Indica lovers.
THC Content: 15% – 21%
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Linalool
Key Effects: Deep Relaxation, Euphoric Onset, Heavy Eyelids, Pain Relief
In the world of purple cannabis, there is Querkle, and then there is everything else.
Created by the late, great breeder Subcool (The Weed Nerd), Querkle was designed to solve a specific problem. The legendary Purple Urkle was one of the best-tasting strains in California, but it was a nightmare to grow—slow, finicky, and low-yielding. Subcool wanted to preserve that incredible grape flavor but put it inside a plant that actually grew with vigor.
His solution? Cross the lethargic Purple Urkle with his vigorous male, Space Queen (Romulan x Cinderella 99).
The result is Querkle: A strain that retains the mouth-watering grape soda terpenes and heavy stone of the Urkle, but grows faster and hits harder thanks to the Space Queen influence. It is widely regarded as one of TGA Subcool’s greatest achievements and a "must-grow" for anyone who loves purple weed.
History and Lineage: Fixing the Urkle
Querkle is a perfect example of "corrective breeding"—taking a great strain with a flaw and fixing it.
The Mother (Purple Urkle): A clone-only legend from the Emerald Triangle. It is famous for turning jet black/purple and smelling exactly like grape Kool-Aid. However, it grows painfully slow ("vegetates like a snail").
The Father (Space Queen): Subcool’s famous male, "Space Dude." A cross of Romulan and C99, it is known for adding a cherry-vanilla flavor, resin production, and explosive growth speed.
The Legacy: Querkle inherited the best of both. It has the color and flavor of the Urkle but the structure and speed of the Space Queen. It is a purple plant that yields well and finishes in a reasonable 8 weeks.
Terpene Profile: Grape Soda and Musty Basements
Querkle is a "flavor first" strain. It is one of the few strains where the taste matches the smell almost perfectly.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Musk): The primary driver of the "couch-lock" effect and the sweet, earth-like base.
Linalool (The Floral): Prominent in purple strains, providing a lavender-like calmness and enhancing the berry notes.
Caryophyllene (The Spice): Adds a funky, pepper-hash undertone that prevents the sweetness from being cloying.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is thick and pungent. The primary note is sweet grape candy, followed by a distinct musty, damp basement smell (a hallmark of quality Indicas) and a hint of sour berries.
The Smoke: Incredibly smooth and thick. On the exhale, it coats the mouth with a taste of grape soda, lavender, and hash. It is a dessert smoke.
Strain Effects: The Slow-Motion Stone
Querkle is an 80/20 Indica, and it behaves like one. It is a nighttime strain through and through.
The Experience
The Head Rush: Thanks to the Space Queen genetics, the high starts with a surprising cerebral spark. You feel happy, giggly, and slightly spacey for the first 20 minutes.
The Descent: The Purple Urkle genetics inevitably take over. A warm, heavy blanket of relaxation wraps around the body.
The Lock: Motivation evaporates. You don't want to move; you just want to sit and appreciate the music or the movie.
The Sleep: As the high wears off, it leaves you ready for deep, restorative sleep.
Best For: Ending the day, watching movies, listening to music (it enhances audio perception), and meditation.
Medical Benefits
This strain is a favorite in the medical community because it provides heavy relief without the extreme mental confusion of some modern hybrids.
Chronic Pain: It is excellent for arthritis, muscle spasms, and joint pain. The high body-load numbs physical sensation.
Insomnia: It is a top-tier sleep aid.
Anxiety & PTSD: The euphoric onset clears the mind of worry, while the sedative finish calms the nervous system.
Wasting Syndrome: It is a powerful appetite stimulant.
Growing Querkle: The Purple Bush
Querkle is a joy to grow because of the visual show it puts on.
Growth Structure
The Colors: You don't need freezing temperatures to make Querkle turn purple. It is genetically programmed to produce anthocyanins. Expect leaves to turn shades of maroon, burgundy, and deep violet by week 6.
The Shape: It grows short and stout (Indica structure). It loves to be topped and trained into a bush.
The Speed: Thanks to the Space Queen, it veg's much faster than pure Urkle. It flowers in 8 weeks.
The Phenotypes:
Purple Urkle Pheno: Smaller, slower, more grape, deeply purple.
Space Queen Pheno: Taller, fruitier (cherry/vanilla), higher yield.
Grower’s Tip: Querkle does not like heavy feeding. It prefers light to moderate nutrients. If you blast it with Nitrogen, you will stunt it and reduce the flavor. Let it fade naturally at the end to bring out the craziest colors.
Final Verdict: The Purple Standard
Querkle is a tribute to the art of breeding. It took a difficult, low-yielding (but delicious) plant and transformed it into a grower-friendly garden gem. It remains one of the best-tasting purple strains on the market. If you are chasing that nostalgic "Grape" flavor but want a plant that actually grows with vigor, Querkle is the answer. It is a true "Head Stash" strain—maybe not the biggest commercial yielder, but the jar you reach for when you want to impress your friends.
You should choose Querkle if:
You love Purple strains (Granddaddy Purple, Grape Ape).
You prioritize flavor (Grape/Berry) over raw THC numbers.
You suffer from insomnia or pain.
You are a fan of Subcool's legacy.
Score: 9.3/10 (The Grape Masterpiece)