Big Bud Auto: The Original Cash Crop
Big Bud Auto: The Original Cash Crop
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Autoflower (80% Indica / 20% Sativa)
Breeder: Sensi Seeds / FastBuds / Seed Stockers (Widely available)
Lineage: Big Bud (Afghani x Skunk #1 x Northern Lights) x Ruderalis
Market Status: A commercial legend; the strain that defined "Cash Crop" in the 1980s/90s, now in automatic form.
THC Content: 20% – 23% (Surprisingly potent for a yield strain)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
Key Effects: Deep Sedation, Muscle Relaxation, "Vintage" Stoned Feeling, Sleep Aid
Before the era of Gelato and Runtz, there was Big Bud. In the 1980s, during the height of the War on Drugs, growers needed a strain that was fast, stealthy, and produced maximum weight with minimum plant count. Big Bud was the answer.
Big Bud Auto brings this legendary genetic profile into the modern era. It takes the massive, fist-sized colas of the original photoperiod strain and adds the speed and ease of an autoflower. While it may lack the exotic "candy" terpenes of modern hype strains, it compensates with raw performance. It is a biological machine designed to do one thing: produce huge, dense flowers that tip the scales.
If you are looking for a reliable, heavy-hitting Indica that fills jars faster than almost anything else, Big Bud Auto is the history lesson you need to grow.
History and Lineage: The Survivor
The history of Big Bud is the history of the modern cannabis industry.
The Roots: Developed in the USA, Big Bud was smuggled into the Netherlands in the 1980s to avoid the crackdown on cultivation.
The Genetics: It is a three-way cross of old-school titans: Afghani (for size and resin), Skunk #1 (for vigor), and often Northern Lights (for stability).
The Evolution: By crossing this heavy-yielding clone with a robust Ruderalis, breeders created an autoflower that retains the defining trait of the lineage: enormous flower structure. It is the genetic precursor to other yield-heavy strains like Critical Mass.
Terpene Profile: Skunk and Damp Earth
Big Bud Auto offers a nostalgic "old school" aroma. It smells like the weed you smoked in the 90s—dank, earthy, and unmistakably marijuana.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Musk): The heavyweight champion of Indicas. It provides the smell of damp soil and rotting fruit, contributing heavily to the sedative effect.
Caryophyllene (The Spice): Adds a pepper-like kick that tingles the nose.
Pinene (The Forest): A background note of pine sap that cuts through the skunky heaviness.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is pungent and savory. Expect notes of wet earth, spicy skunk, and faint fruit.
The Smoke: Thick and smooth. It tastes of wood, spice, and herbal tea. It is a savory smoke, not a sweet one.
Strain Effects: The Narcotic Anchor
This is not a strain for hiking or working. It is a strain for turning off.
The Experience
The Slow Down: There is no cerebral rush. The high settles into the body almost immediately, weighing down the eyelids and limbs.
The Couch-Lock: Big Bud Auto is famous for its "narcotic" stone. It anchors you to the furniture. Pain, tension, and stress simply melt away under the weight of the high.
The Munchies: It is a powerful appetite stimulant. The desire to eat is almost primal.
The Sleep: As the high wears off, it acts as a natural sedative. It is excellent for battling insomnia.
Best For: Netflix marathons, treating muscle spasms, recovery days, and deep sleep.
Growing Big Bud Auto: The Branch-Breaker
This strain is named "Big Bud" for a reason. Growing it requires preparation for the physical weight of the flowers.
Growth Structure
The Structure: It grows stout and bushy, usually staying under 3–4 feet (100cm). It creates a massive central cola surrounded by heavy side branches.
The Support: This is critical. The buds often get heavier than the branches can support. You must use bamboo stakes, yo-yos, or trellis netting. If you don't, branches will snap in late flower.
The Resistance: It is generally tough, but because the buds are so huge and dense, botrytis (bud rot) is a risk in humid environments. Keep humidity low (40-50%) in the final weeks and ensure good airflow.
The Yield: Exceptional. Indoor yields of 450–500g/m² are standard, with experienced hydro growers pushing even higher numbers.
Flowering Time: It is relatively fast, usually finishing in 9 to 10 weeks from seed.
Grower’s Tip: Big Bud Auto has a very high "calyx-to-leaf ratio." This means there are very few small sugar leaves sticking out of the buds. This makes it incredibly easy and fast to trim, saving you hours of "trim jail."
Final Verdict: The Heavyweight Workhorse
Big Bud Auto is not trying to be a fancy dessert strain. It is a utility strain. It exists to provide the maximum amount of medicine with the minimum amount of fuss. It offers a classic, heavy Indica stone and a harvest weight that can last a casual smoker an entire year from just a few plants. For beginners wanting a guaranteed harvest, or commercial growers needing weight, Big Bud Auto is the undefeated champion.
You should choose Big Bud Auto if:
You want maximum yield with minimal effort.
You suffer from insomnia or chronic pain.
You prefer earthy, skunky, old-school flavors.
You want a plant that is easy to trim.
Score: 9.2/10 (The Production Classic)