Livers Bx1: The Sheffield Skunk
Livers Bx1: The Sheffield Skunk
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Autoflower (80% Indica / 20% Sativa)
Breeder: Mephisto Genetics (The "Artisanal" Line)
Lineage: Livers (Sheffield Blues Cut) x Sour Livers (Auto Livers)
Market Status: The "Funky Resurrection"; Livers Bx1 is a love letter to the UK underground scene. It was created to stabilize and preserve the legendary "Livers" cut—a specific phenotype of Northern Lights #5 x Skunk #1 that dominated the city of Sheffield, England, for decades. While Mephisto had previously released Sour Livers, they felt it drifted too far from the original clone. The Bx1 (Backcross) project involved taking their auto version and crossing it back to the original photoperiod mother, successfully locking in the authentic, nose-curling "Watermelon Skunk" profile that made the original cut a myth.
THC Content: High (19% – 23%)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene, Terpinolene
Key Effects: Heavy Body Relaxation, Creative Head Space, "Stoned" Contentment, Munchies
Livers Bx1 is loud, rude, and undeniable.
It is arguably the most pungent strain in the entire Mephisto catalog. It smells of spicy watermelon candy, burnt rubber, and raw skunk spray. It is a blast from the past for anyone who remembers the "Blues" or "Livers" era of UK cannabis, offering a flavor that sticks to the palate like glue and a high that sticks you to the chair.
History and Lineage: The Northern Legend
This strain is a preservation project wrapped in an autoflower package.
The Mother (The Livers / Sheffield Blues): The legend. This clone-only cut appeared in Northern England in the late 80s/early 90s. It is believed to be a sister to the famous UK Cheese, both deriving from Sensi Seeds' Skunk #1 (likely crossed with NL#5). The Livers was distinguished by its intense, moist, skunky-sweet aroma that was distinctly different from the savory Cheese.
The Father (Sour Livers): The bridge. Mephisto's earlier auto version (Livers x Sour Crack) was a great strain, but the Sour Crack influence added a lot of "White" resin and speed that diluted the pure Livers funk.
The Synthesis (The Backcross): By crossing the Sour Livers back to the original Livers clone, Mephisto "corrected" the line. Livers Bx1 is overwhelmingly Livers-dominant. It captures the authentic, funky terpene profile and the bushy structure of the original clone, but finishes in an automatic timeframe.
Terpene Profile: Skunky Watermelon and Rubber
The aroma of Livers Bx1 is unique. It occupies a space between "Sweet Fruit" and "Offensive Skunk."
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Heavy): The dominant terpene. It provides the damp earth and musky base. It is the driver of the potent physical sedation.
Caryophyllene (The Funk): Highly present. It adds a spicy, burnt rubber kick that tickles the nose. This is the "Industrial" side of the smell.
Limonene (The Sweet): In this specific combination, the Limonene mixes with the skunk to create a distinct artificial watermelon or sweet cherry aroma. It is not citrusy; it is candy-like.
Terpinolene (The Sharpness): Adds a faint floral/herbal top note that enhances the complexity.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is room-filling. It smells of rotting watermelons, fresh skunk spray, burnt tires, and sweet hash.
The Smoke: Thick and oily. It tastes of spicy fruit and earthy skunk on the inhale, with a savory blue cheese finish on the exhale.
Strain Effects: The Northern Stone
Livers Bx1 offers a classic, old-school high. It is not racy or paranoid; it is heavy and happy.
The Experience
The Smile: The high hits with a wave of euphoric satisfaction. It immediately improves your mood.
The Stone: Very quickly, the Indica body load sets in. It feels warm and grounding. It relieves tension in the neck and back effectively.
The Creativity: Despite the heavy body, the mind remains relatively creative and engaged. It is great for listening to music or gaming, provided you don't have to move much.
The Hunger: It is a massive appetite stimulant. Prepare snacks before you smoke.
Best For: Evening relaxation, watching movies, listening to music, pain relief, and appetite loss.
Growing Livers Bx1: The Stinky Bush
Warning: If you do not have a high-quality carbon filter, do not grow this strain. It is widely regarded as the smelliest plant Mephisto offers.
Growth Structure
The Size: Small to Medium. It grows with a classic broad-leaf Indica structure. It forms a short, squat bush with tight internodes. It rarely stretches out of control.
The Yield: High (Relative to Size). While the plant is small, the buds are incredibly dense and chunky. The weight adds up quickly.
The Resilience: High. Bred in the damp UK climate, the original Livers was selected for toughness. The Bx1 retains this. It handles cooler temperatures well.
The Time: It finishes fast, often in 65 to 75 days from sprout.
The Feeding: Moderate. It is a reliable feeder. It enjoys a standard P/K boost in flower to help the dense colas swell.
Grower’s Tip: Leaf Tucking is essential. Because it grows so bushy and squat, the large fan leaves can block light to the lower bud sites. Tuck them daily during the stretch. Ensure you have excellent airflow; the buds are so dense that mold can be a risk if the humidity is too high in late flower.
Similar Strains / Lineage Relations
If you enjoy the profile or growth of Livers Bx1, you might also appreciate these three genetically related or similar strains:
Sour Livers: The Predecessor.
Why: If you want a slightly faster, smaller, and frostier plant (thanks to the Sour Crack influence) and don't mind sacrificing some of the authentic "Old School" funk, the original auto cross is excellent.
UK Cheese Auto: The Sister.
Why: The Livers is genetically related to the Cheese. If you prefer savory, dairy, and cheddar notes over the watermelon/burnt rubber profile, go with a Cheese auto.
Skunk #1: The Ancestor.
Why: If you want to experience the pure Skunk genetics that started it all, grow the original Sensi Seeds classic. It offers the same vigorous growth and pungent aroma.
Final Verdict: The Sheffield Skunk
Livers Bx1 is a connoisseur's choice. It brings a legendary, clone-only profile from the 90s UK underground and makes it accessible to any home grower with an autoflower setup. It offers a terpene profile that is loud, complex, and distinct from the cookie/cake strains dominating the market. If you want to grow a piece of history that reeks of watermelon and roadkill, this is the cut.
You should choose Livers Bx1 if:
You love Skunk/Watermelon/Rubber flavors.
You want a Fast Finisher.
You have Limited Vertical Space.
You appreciate "Old School" Funk.
Score: 9.5/10 (The Funky Resurrection)