Big Detroit Energy: The Motor City Hybrid
Big Detroit Energy: The Motor City Hybrid
Strain Overview
Type: Sativa-Dominant Hybrid
Breeder: Ethos Genetics (Colin Gordon)
Lineage: Mandarin Sunset x Lilac Diesel #22
Market Status: The "Daytime Workhorse"; Big Detroit Energy (R1) is a strain built for productivity and presence. While its name might be a cheeky play on words, the genetics are serious business. It combines the legendary orange-skunk flavor of Mandarin Sunset with the massive yield and complex floral gas of Lilac Diesel #22. It is designed to be a high-energy, high-yield strain that captures the industrious spirit of the Motor City—loud, reliable, and powerful.
THC Content: High (24% – 26%)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
Key Effects: Uplifting Energy, Creative Focus, Social Euphoria, Functional Relaxation
Big Detroit Energy is a strain that demands attention.
It steps away from the dessert-heavy "Cake" trends and returns to bright, sharp aromatics. It smells like a mechanic shop located in a citrus grove—a mix of fresh oranges, lime zest, sandalwood, and industrial grease. It offers a high that revs you up without causing you to spin out, making it a perfect daily driver for the productive stoner.
History and Lineage: Sunset Meets Diesel
This strain is a variation of the breeding project that created Apex, but it swaps the mother to create a distinct terpene profile.
The Mother (Mandarin Sunset): The flavor legend. Famous for its deep, earthy orange and skunk profile, this Indica-dominant parent provides the stout structure and the rich citrus base. It is the same mother used to create Mandarin Cookies.
The Father (Lilac Diesel #22): The production engine. Unlike the #10 pheno used in Apex (which focuses on chunkiness), the #22 pheno of Lilac Diesel was selected for its vegetative vigor and complex floral-fuel aroma.
The Synthesis: Big Detroit Energy is the "Zesty" cousin of Apex. By using Mandarin Sunset instead of Mandarin Cookies, Ethos removed the doughy/creamy notes and doubled down on the sharp citrus and sandalwood, creating a brighter, more vibrant profile.
Terpene Profile: Oranges and Sandalwood
The aroma of Big Detroit Energy is sophisticated and distinct. It is often described as "incense-like" due to the heavy sandalwood notes.
Dominant Terpenes
Limonene (The Citrus): The dominant terpene. It presents as a mix of sweet mandarin orange and sour lime. It provides the mood-lifting properties of the strain.
Myrcene (The Musk): Provides a heavy earthy and sandalwood base. This prevents the citrus from smelling like candy, grounding it in a "natural" aroma.
Pinene (The Forest): Adds a sharp pine and fuel note that contributes to the mental clarity and energy.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is pungent and expansive. It smells of rotting oranges, incense, lime peel, and diesel fuel.
The Smoke: Smooth and zesty. It tastes of spicy orange zest and wood on the inhale, with a sour gas finish on the exhale.
Strain Effects: The Creative Turbo
Big Detroit Energy is a "Hybrid" in the truest sense—it hits the head and the body, but the energy leans Sativa.
The Experience
The Ignition: The high starts with a cerebral spark. You feel awake, alert, and ready to tackle tasks. It is excellent for "waking up" the brain.
The Drive: It settles into a long-lasting creative focus. Unlike racy Hazes, it doesn't cause jitters; it just provides a steady stream of motivation.
The Social: It is a fantastic party strain. It lowers inhibitions and encourages conversation, making it great for sharing with friends.
The Cruise: The physical effects are mild but present. A light body buzz keeps you relaxed, but you won't feel heavy or tired until much later in the day.
Best For: Daytime productivity, creative hobbies, social gatherings, hiking, and fighting fatigue.
Growing Big Detroit Energy: The High-Octane yielder
True to the Ethos reputation, this strain was bred to fill the room. It is a vigorous, easy-to-grow plant.
Growth Structure
The Vigor: High. It grows fast and strong, with medium-long internodes. It loves to stretch in the first few weeks of flower.
The Yield: Very High. It produces large, stacked colas. It is a great choice for commercial growers or home growers looking to maximize their harvest.
The Structure: It grows Tall and Open. This structure allows for great light penetration and airflow, reducing the risk of mold. It responds very well to topping and LST (Low Stress Training).
The Resin: It produces large trichome heads, making it an excellent candidate for extraction (live resin or hash).
The Time: It finishes flowering in 8 to 9 weeks.
Grower’s Tip: This strain is a heavy feeder. It thrives on high light intensity and nutrient levels. Because it stretches, ensure you have enough vertical space or flip it to flower early. Support the branches by week 6, as the buds will get heavy.
Final Verdict: The Motor City Hybrid
Big Detroit Energy is a strain for those who want their weed to work for them. It offers a unique terpene profile—mixing the exotic sandalwood of the East with the industrial diesel of the West—and a high that is purely functional. It is the perfect strain for the artist, the worker, or anyone who needs a little extra horsepower to get through the day.
You should choose Big Detroit Energy if:
You love Orange/Sandalwood flavors.
You want a Daytime/Social High.
You are a Grower (High Yield/Vigor).
You dislike "Couch-Lock."
Score: 9.3/10 (The Productivity Strain)