Issue #730 - Sunday, April 19, 2026 Same grow, different results? Genetics are often why. - Why weed smells different now - Where did old-school smells go? Breeding trends have changed, but you can still find classic profiles today if you know where to look.
- What successful outdoor growers do
differently - 40 growers started, but only 16 made it to harvest. Here's what made the difference.
- This seed deal is better than it looks - Use code GROWFREE at Seed Supreme for a free 2nd pack on all seeds. It stacks for up to 2 free packs on some strains.
- My seeds are sooo small and flimsy... Are they still good? Seed size and hardness say something, but maybe not what you think. Have flimsy seeds ever worked for you? Hit reply and tell me.
Nebula
Haze & Sirius Fourside
Co-Founders, GrowWeedEasy.com
"Chance favors the prepared mind."
— Louis Pasteur Why Weed Doesn’t Smell Like It Used To by Nebula Haze I visited my dad in Florida a few years ago. As we were walking around a local market, the smell of weed permeated the air. My dad noted, “This weed smells like a skunk with bad body odor.” I took another whiff. It was definitely weed, but the smell had a sharp, sour edge that really did smell a bit like a skunk gone loose in a locker room. I didn’t know what to say. I
personally like the smell of almost any cannabis. The smell of super skunky weed in particular brings me back to fond memories of when I first smoked weed in the 2000s. My first weed was super skunky smelling. He added, “The weed I smoked in the ’70s didn’t smell like this at all. It was closer to the smell of cloves. This whole skunky smell is a newer thing.” He said he remembered when the skunky smell first appeared in his part of Maine in the late 1990s. The new skunky weed was much stronger, and had good effects too. But he still missed when weed smelled more
pleasant. “Dad, you need to get out to California and try some of my weed.” I said. The next year he did come to visit me in Southern California. After trying the weed I grow, followed by his first visit to a dispensary, he said, “You know, none of this weed smells like how I remember from the 70s, but I love how all this California weed smells so sweet and mild.” “Do you like the smell of California weed better than what you smoked in the 70s?” I
asked, both of us red-eyed from the weed we’d been smoking all afternoon. “I’m not sure. That smell came with a lot of great memories… but smoking this strong-ass California weed with you ain’t bad either.” I smiled. For my dad, that’s a huge compliment. What Makes Weed Smell How It Does? My dad’s comments left me wondering what causes cannabis to smell the way it does. Cannabis smells don’t change at random. They change as growers select and breed for different effects or customer preferences. I discovered there’s a growing body of research on
what gives each cannabis strain its signature scent. [1] [2] [3] - Terpenes – These aromatic organic compounds “evaporate” in the air and leave a smell. Pine, lemon, floral, sweet… these common smells are heavily influenced by terpenes.
- Volatile Sulfur Compounds – “Skunk” and strong diesel smells typically come from sulfur compounds, not
terpenes.
There are also rare or lesser known compounds. But besides terpenes and sulfur compounds, there hasn’t been much research into what causes “other” smells of weed. Terpenes – Most “good” smells Of all the things that affect cannabis smell, terpenes have been the most studied by far. Terpenes make smells like: - Pine
- Floral
- Citrus
- Spicy
- Earthy
- …and more
The first “good” smelling weed I ever encountered was weed I grew myself. It was a strain called
“Mountain Berry” and I got the seeds from a dispensary in San Diego. But these days, almost all the weed at California dispensaries smells sweet, fruity, piney, or other mild floral or earthy odors. This “Mountain Berry” I grew around 2010 smelled sweet and delicious. Thank you terpenes! Research shows that terpenes don’t just change smell, but also affect the “high”. For example, the citrus-smelling terpene limonene in weed has been linked to an increase in relaxation.[4]
This combination of terpenes and weed, sometimes called the entourage effect, likely contributed to the popularity of high-terpene strains. Mandarin Cookies buds are high in terpenes, giving a “loud” smell without skunkiness. But terpenes aren’t the whole story when it comes to cannabis smells. The most potent smells come from an entirely different source. Volatile Sulfur Compounds – Most “pungent” smells For example, the “skunk” smell of cannabis comes from volatile sulfur compounds, not terpenes. Specifically, 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol is the guilty party. It
is similar to the spray of a striped skunk at the molecular level, creating that signature scent. The “skunk” smell of cannabis comes from volatile sulfur compounds, just like a skunk’s spray. If the smell of your weed literally makes your nose wrinkle, it's often coming from this category of smells. The first good cannabis I ever bought smelled like it was sprayed by a skunk (circa 2005ish). Why did "Skunky" weed get so popular? The skunk strains that got introduced into weed in the 1980s through the 2000s weren't necessarily bred for the smell at first. This line of genetics had significantly higher THC, and this was most likely the main motivation. Skunky weed was
potent. As breeders selected plants for effects, the volatile sulfur compounds came along for the ride. Over time, the smell became associated with good weed, and some growers began to select for it directly. Stanky strong weed is an experience all its own. Regardless, this new line of skunky weed genetics had much higher THC than what was growing in towns all over America. The skunky strain genetics spread like wildfire, and much of the smell diversity was lost, at least initially. Sweet Smelling Strains Rose in the 2010sIn response to legalization in the US and Canada, a wave of new people started buying weed at dispensaries. For
the first time, customers actually had choices. Weed was competing on flavor now, not just strength. And this new market of discerning cannabis enthusiasts loved tasty strains with dessert names (Girl Scout Cookies, Dos Si Dos, Wedding Cake, Candy Games,
etc.) Purple Ghost Candy is a potent, high yielding, and sweet smelling strain. As a result, throughout the 2010s and into the 2020s, many of the new strains were selected for 3 main things: high THC, pleasant smells, and high bag appeal (looks beautiful). This led to popular strains with completely different smell profiles. The Smells of TodayBy 2026, cannabis smells have completely changed. Between dispensaries and home
growers, breeding has gone in many directions. You can still find strains with some of the old smells, but especially in the US the "skunkiness" is a lot more mild. If you've watched cartoons, new weed strains are missing the stink lines. You can't get the exact weed back from the past, but you can find weed that captures part of it. Here are a few seeds worth trying...
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3 Cannabis Seeds with Notable Smells
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For growers looking for classic effects and smells, a resurgence of breeders are working with older genetics to bring back some of the best aspects of the classics. - Purple Haze - There's anecdotal evidence that the Seed Supreme captured some of "Purple haze all in my
brain" magic. As a plant, these Purple Haze seeds are easy to grow with delicious smelling, purple-tinted buds. Purple Haze seeds store surprisingly well, and maintain high germination rates for years as long as seeds are stored properly.
- Maui Wowie - Signature tropical scent and long lasting effects that won't put you to sleep. These seeds thrive indoors and out, sprouting tough plants that are mold resistant and can handle some stress.
- Acapulco Gold - This version of Acapulco Gold by Barney's Farm is a Cannabis Cup Winner. Golden-green buds, unique smell reminiscent of classic central American genetics make these seeds stand out against other versions of Acapulco Gold.
Purple Haze
outdoor bud about to get trimmed.
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3 Cannabis Seeds with Skunky Goodness- Skunk #1 by Barney's Farm - Genetics Barney's Farm has maintained for over 20 years, and one of their pungent strains available in seed form.
- Durban Poison - They Barney's Farm seed version of this strain has remained one of their top sellers since I started growing in 2008. I remember drooling over it online. Although the THC percentage has increased, they focus on maintaining that unique smell.
- La Pew clone (US Only) - If you want REALLY odoriferous weed, get a cannabis clone through the mail. Clones are more stable than seeds as far as bud smell and this clone cut
reeks.
Skunk #1 buds look and smell dank. Grown by Keri. Durban Poison is a huge yielder with a unique smell. Grown by picnix. The Durban Poison buds smelled "loud" according to picnix.
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What Successful Outdoor Growers Did Differently
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Last summer, 40 growers germinated cannabis seeds as part of a global outdoor grow study. That fall, only 16 growers submitted harvest reports. Learn what made the difference between those who struggled, and those who succeeded. What did successful outdoor growers do differently?
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Reported by Alexandria Doner-Irons, owner and founder of Queen of the Sun Grown. Note: GrowWeedEasy.com is not affiliated with Queen of the Sun Grown, but we thought this was awesome research that outdoor growers need to hear
about. See the full results of the study on Seedsman. Quick Summary of BLAZE 2025 Outdoor Cannabis Grow StudyWritten by Nebula Haze based on this report. - 95 growers registered and bought seeds to participate
- 40 growers reported they germinated seeds
- 16 growers completed the challenge and submitted harvest reports
Doner-Irons stated, “While the completion rate came in below 30%, this highlights an important truth about outdoor cultivation: it’s unpredictable, challenging, and requires consistency. And that’s exactly why this data matters.” - 40% completion rate (based on germination survey → harvest reports)
- 16.8% completion rate (based on total registered → completed)
3 Core Themes in The StudyOutdoor results were heavily affected by environment, grower decisions, and the chosen soil - Your Climate is Key – The environment is ultimately the boss when it comes to outdoor growing. You can’t control the environment, and the most successful growers found ways to work with their climate instead of fighting against it.
- Grower
Choices Matter – Including, but not limited to, strain choice. Growers working with the same genetics in different regions had wildly different results from each other. The most experienced growers got great results even when the strains weren’t well suited to their climate. Preventative pest tactics (like IPM) and good watering habits avoided many of the stress and bug-related issues experienced by the less successful growers.
- Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants – One of the most notable results from the 2025 study was the connection between plant performance and soil.
Key Finding: Living soil growers had the best results. “Growers who utilized living soil
systems consistently reported stronger, more vigorous plants with increased resistance to both pests and environmental stress. These plants not only grew better but also recovered faster when challenges arose. Practices like microbial inoculation, compost teas, and regular top dressing with organic inputs proved to be highly effective.” - Living soil techniques – stronger, more vigorous plants
This is just the tip of the iceberg, don’t miss the full report! Purple Oreoz F1 bud from the
study basking in the sun.
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My cannabis seeds are soooo small and flimsy…. Are they viable?
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Small, flimsy cannabis seeds can grow into hardy, beautiful plants…. or they might not even germinate. Learn how to tell the difference. Want reliable germination? These cannabis seeds are known to sprout strong: Purple Haze, Northern Lights #10 and Do-Si-Dos. Are pale cannabis seeds viable? Maybe.
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Small, pale seeds can grow great cannabis plants, but often they’re just immature. Here’s how to tell the difference: Are these cannabis seeds good? - Good breeder & stored well? Likely fine.
- Soft or breaks apart? Probably bad.
- Unsure? Plant it and find out.
You might be surprised to learn that many
incredible plants come from strains that tend to produce small, pale seeds. Some strains tend to have small seeds, like Candy Games #38, but the seeds still germinate strong. Free Digital Tools on GrowWeedEasy.com Recommended Cannabis Seed Sources
These sources have gotten great reviews from our readers:
- Seed Supreme – Florida, United States
- ILGM (I Love Growing Marijuana) – California, United States
- North Atlantic Seed Co. – Maine, United States
- Seedsman – Ships from US & Europe
- MSNL – Netherlands bank with shipping centers in US, Canada &
UK.
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🌳 GrowWeedEasy Community Forum
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Who Runs GrowWeedEasy.com?
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Nebula Haze: When I first started growing, I struggled. Now, it is my mission to make it easy for new growers to get started while helping advanced growers get bigger, better yields with less time and money. We update/add articles every week. Anyone and everyone can grow if they want to! Current Favorite Strain:
Mandarin Cookies (learn more in my article about relaxing limonene) Learn which seed sources are recommended by Nebula Haze Sirius Fourside: Sirius Fourside is a hobbyist grower who has gained the bulk of his experience growing in water as a medium (deep water culture, bubbleponics). Copyright (c) 2026 GrowWeedEasy.com NOTE: If links aren't working or if pictures are not showing up properly, please view the full newsletter here: http://archive.aweber.com/gwe-updates Disclaimer: Grow Weed Easy only recommends products that we've either personally checked out ourselves, or that come from people we know and trust. For doing so, we may receive a commission. Nothing in this e-mail should be considered personalized Financial, Legal, or Medical Advice. The contributors to this magazine grow legally under their local laws but are not lawyers or medical professionals. Any decision to grow
marijuana should only be made after consulting with an experienced lawyer or other legal adviser. Any medical decisions should only be made after speaking with a doctor. Be safe! How Did I Sign Up For This Newsletter? Our records indicate that requested to be added to the GrowWeedEasy.com weekly newsletter at . Date: April 19, 2026
To unsubscribe, click here: https://www.aweber.com/z/r/?ThisIsATestEmail
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