OG Kush Auto: The Legend, Fast-Tracked
OG Kush Auto: The Legend, Fast-Tracked
Strain Overview
Type: Hybrid Autoflower (20% Sativa / 60% Indica / 20% Ruderalis)
Breeder: Ethos Genetics (and various others, but this review focuses on the high-performance Ethos stock often used as a parent)
Lineage: OG Kush (1992 Cut / Josh D Cut) x Select Ruderalis Breeding Stock
Market Status: The "Everyday Classic"; OG Kush Auto is the modernization of the most famous cannabis strain in history. It was created to solve the biggest problem with the original OG Kush: difficulty of growth. While the photoperiod OG is finicky, vine-like, and stress-sensitive, the Auto version is robust, compact, and incredibly fast. It allows home growers to harvest a genuine "Gas, Lemon, Pine" profile in under 80 days, without the need for complex light schedules or trellising.
THC Content: Moderate to High (18% – 24%)
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
Key Effects: Relaxed Euphoria, "Headband" Sensation, Stress Relief, Physical Comfort
OG Kush Auto is the democratization of "Cool."
For decades, growing high-quality OG Kush was a badge of honor reserved for master growers in California. This autoflowering version takes that exclusive genetics and packages it for the people. It smells of pine forests, spilled fuel, and lemon cleaner—the signature scent of the West Coast—but it grows with the speed and resilience of a weed.
History and Lineage: Taming the Queen
This strain is a project of preservation and acceleration.
The Mother (OG Kush): The legend. Whether it’s the Josh D cut, the Tahoe cut, or the Ghost cut, the mother provides the essential DNA: the Fuel/Pine/Lemon terpenes and the potent, stony high.
The Father (Ruderalis Selection): The timer. Breeders selected a Ruderalis donor (often a highly worked line like Magnum or proprietary breeding stock) that would introduce the autoflowering trait (flowering based on age, not light) without ruining the potency or flavor of the OG.
The Synthesis: OG Kush Auto retains the "Gas" and the "Stone" of the original but changes the structure. Instead of a lanky, stretching vine, it grows as a compact, sturdy bush that focuses energy on finishing fast.
Terpene Profile: The Holy Trinity (Gas, Lemon, Pine)
The aroma of OG Kush Auto is iconic. It is the smell that defined the 2000s era of cannabis.
Dominant Terpenes
Limonene (The Citrus): The dominant terpene. It presents as a sharp chemical lemon or lemon pledge aroma. It provides the mood-lifting, anti-anxiety aspect of the high.
Pinene (The Forest): Distinctly present. It smells of fresh pine needles and turpentine. It adds crispness to the flavor and promotes mental clarity.
Caryophyllene (The Fuel): The engine. This terpene adds the heavy diesel, rubber, and black pepper funk that gives OG Kush its "bite."
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is fresh and pungent. It smells of pine-sol, lemon zest, diesel fuel, and damp earth.
The Smoke: Expansive and sharp. It tastes of sour lemon and earthy pine on the inhale, with a spicy fuel finish on the exhale.
Strain Effects: The "Headband" Hybrid
OG Kush Auto delivers a reliable, balanced high that hits the head and the body equally.
The Experience
The Pressure: The high often starts with the classic "Headband" effect—a gentle pressure around the forehead and eyes. It signals the shift in consciousness.
The Chill: A wave of cool confidence and relaxation washes over you. Stress and anxiety seem to evaporate. It is the ultimate "unwind" strain.
The Body: A comfortable physical heaviness settles in the limbs. It isn't a knockout punch like a pure Afghan, but it makes sitting on the couch feel amazing.
The Munchies: It is a reliable appetite stimulant. Food tastes better, and you will likely raid the fridge.
Best For: Evening relaxation, stress relief, PTSD, watching movies, and appetite loss.
Growing OG Kush Auto: The Accessible Legend
Unlike its photoperiod parent, this plant is forgiving and fast.
Growth Structure
The Stature: Short to Medium. It typically stays under 3.5 feet (100cm). It grows with a central cola and decent side branching.
The Speed: Fast. It goes from seed to harvest in 75 to 85 days.
The Feeding: Moderate. It is not as hungry as the photoperiod version. Feed lightly in the first 4 weeks, then ramp up Bloom nutrients (P/K) once the white pistils appear.
The Training: LST Only. Do not top this plant. Because it has a short life cycle, high-stress training (topping/super cropping) can stunt it. Use Leaf Tucking or tie down the main stem (Low Stress Training) to open up the canopy.
The Yield: Moderate. It won't yield as much as a "Super Auto," but the quality of the nuggets is top-tier.
Grower’s Tip: Start this seed in its final pot (5-gallon is ideal). Transplanting autoflowers can cause shock that triggers early flowering, resulting in a tiny plant. Give it 18 or 20 hours of light per day for the entire life cycle.
Similar Strains / Lineage Relations
If you enjoy the profile or growth of OG Kush Auto, you might also appreciate these three genetically related or similar strains:
Pluto Cut Auto: The Heavy Child.
Why: As detailed in the previous review, this is the offspring of OG Kush Auto. Choose Pluto if you want a darker, heavier, and more sedative experience with "Incense/Burnt Rubber" notes rather than the bright "Lemon/Pine" of the classic OG.
OG Kush (Photoperiod): The Original.
Why: If you have the space and the skills, nothing beats the original. Choose the photoperiod version if you want to clone your plant, maximize yield via long vegetation, or control the flip time.
Sour Diesel Auto: The Sativa Cousin.
Why: Both are "Fuel" strains. Choose Sour Diesel Auto if you want the gas/diesel flavor but prefer a racier, more energetic head high suitable for daytime use, rather than the relaxed stone of the OG.
Final Verdict: The Legend, Fast-Tracked
OG Kush Auto is a triumph of modern breeding. It allows anyone, anywhere—from a closet in NYC to a balcony in Spain—to grow the most famous strain in the world in less than three months. It captures the authentic Lemon-Pine-Fuel profile that started the "Gas" craze and delivers a high that is timelessly cool. If you want a classic stash without the headache of growing a finicky photoperiod, put this on autopilot.
You should choose OG Kush Auto if:
You love Lemon/Pine/Fuel flavors.
You are a Beginner Grower.
You want a Fast Harvest (<85 Days).
You need Stress Relief.
Score: 9.2/10 (The Accessible Classic)