Royal Highness: The Crown Jewel of Vigor
Royal Highness: The Crown Jewel of Vigor
Strain Overview
Type: Sativa-Dominant Hybrid (60% Sativa / 40% Indica)
Breeder: Humboldt Seed Company
Lineage: Dream Queen x Long Valley Royal Kush
Market Status: The "Vigor King"; famous for producing gargantuan plants that resist almost any environmental stress, while delivering a potent, clear-headed high. It is the genetic engine that powers the rapid growth of its offspring, such as Caramel Cream.
THC Content: 23% – 27% (High Potency)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Pinene, Caryophyllene, Terpinolene
Key Effects: Energetic Euphoria, Laser Focus, Physical Relief without Sedation, "Royally" Uplifted
In the hierarchy of the garden, Royal Highness sits on the throne.
Bred by Humboldt Seed Company, this strain was created to answer a simple question: "Can we make a plant that produces like Dream Queen (Green Crack) but hits like a Kush?" The answer was a resounding yes.
Royal Highness is a hybrid that captures the explosive, fast-flowering yield of the Green Crack lineage and reinforces it with the durability and potency of the legendary Long Valley Royal Kush. The result is a plant that is practically indestructible, capable of growing into a massive tree in a single season. It is a favorite among outdoor farmers who need guaranteed poundage, but it offers a smoke refined enough for the top shelf.
History and Lineage: The Royal Marriage
This strain represents the union of two of Northern California’s most respected families.
The Mother (Dream Queen): HSC’s improved version of Green Crack. It provides the insane speed, the massive yield potential, and the sweet, fruity zest. It is the engine of the cross.
The Father (Long Valley Royal Kush): An Emerald Triangle classic. A heavy, gassy Indica that brings mold resistance, thick stems, and a potent, sedative undertone that balances out the racy energy of the Dream Queen.
The Synthesis: The offspring, Royal Highness, retains the Sativa structure and energy of the mother but gains the "Gas" and the density of the father. It is the best of both worlds: huge yields with Kush potency.
Terpene Profile: Sweet Skunk and Pine
Royal Highness has a classic "Humboldt" nose. It doesn't smell like candy; it smells like a forest after a rainstorm.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Fruit): Provides a sweet, fermented fruit base that smells like overripe mangoes.
Pinene (The Forest): A sharp, fresh pine aroma that clears the sinuses and contributes to the energetic high.
Caryophyllene/Terpinolene (The Funk): Adds a distinct skunky, cheesy funk that lets you know this is a serious plant.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is pungent and earthy. It smells of sweet skunk, pine needles, and fermented fruit.
The Smoke: Crisp and clean. It tastes of woodsy earth, sour citrus, and spicy kush. It has a classic "green" taste that old-school smokers appreciate.
Strain Effects: The Active High
Royal Highness is designed for the working smoker. It gets you incredibly high, but it keeps you moving.
The Experience
The Coronation: The high hits fast with a soaring cerebral buzz. It wipes away fatigue and puts you in a "can-do" mindset.
The Focus: Unlike the scattered feeling of some Sativas, Royal Highness offers clarity. It is excellent for outdoor activities, gardening, or hiking.
The Relief: The Royal Kush genetics provide a subtle body numbing that helps with joint pain and inflammation, allowing you to stay active longer.
The Balance: It settles into a happy, relaxed state that isn't sleepy. You can smoke this all day and still function at a high level.
Best For: Daytime work, hiking/camping, treating fatigue, and pain management without the couch-lock.
Growing Royal Highness: The Green Giant
This is the main selling point. If you want to grow a "tree" (literally), this is the seed you pop.
Growth Structure
The Size: It grows massive. It is known for its vigorous vegetative growth and can easily reach 10-12 feet outdoors if given root space.
The Yield: Extreme. It produces long, spear-shaped colas that can weigh pounds. It is a production powerhouse.
The Resilience: It is one of the toughest strains in the HSC catalog. It laughs at mold, pests, and cold weather. It was bred to survive the volatile mountain climate.
The Finish: It finishes surprisingly fast for its size, usually ready by early October (55-60 days flowering).
The Stability: It produces uniform plants, making it a reliable choice for large-scale row cropping.
Grower’s Tip: Because it grows so fast, Royal Highness is a heavy feeder. It needs plenty of Nitrogen in veg to support its rapid expansion. Trellising is mandatory—even with its strong Kush stems, the sheer weight of the Dream Queen-style colas can snap branches in late flower.
Final Verdict: The Aristocrat of Yield
Royal Highness is a strain that commands respect. It is the perfect choice for the grower who wants maximum return on investment and the smoker who wants a high-energy, potent experience. It bridges the gap between the "Cash Crop" (Dream Queen) and the "Head Stash" (Royal Kush), creating a plant that satisfies everyone. If you want a garden full of giants, bow down to the Highness.
You should choose Royal Highness if:
You want massive, tree-sized plants.
You love Skunk, Pine, and Fruit flavors.
You need an energetic, functional high.
You are growing outdoors and need elite resistance.
Score: 9.6/10 (The Vigor Queen)