What Is the LSD Strain?
The LSD strain is a Barney's Farm creation built from two heavy-hitting genetics: Skunk #1 and Mazar. The result is an indica-dominant hybrid that punches well above its weight class — ~24% THC, ~1.3% CBD, and a terpene profile heavy on myrcene, caryophyllene, and limonene. Effects are cerebral at the onset, shifting into a deep physical stone that earns this strain its name. For cultivators, LSD is a grower-friendly variety: strong lateral branching, natural resistance to common pests, and a forgiving feeding window. That said, its tight, calyx-packed buds demand environmental discipline, especially in late flower.
Across Grow Guide's platform, 73% of tracked grows run in soil — and LSD responds particularly well to amended living soil, where its long root system can access a broad mineral profile without aggressive EC management. You can track your own LSD grow in a structured grow diary to catch issues early.
Vegetative Stage: Building the LSD Strain's Frame
Run an 18/6 light cycle from sprout. LSD pushes vigorous internodal growth in the first three weeks, so your main job in veg is shaping the canopy rather than just letting it stretch. Target a veg period of 4–5 weeks from seedling — this gives you time to top once, run a week of recovery, then apply LST before flipping.
Topping and LST
Top at node 4 or 5, around day 18–21. The strain recovers fast — you'll see new growth within 48 hours. After recovery (days 25–28), bend the two main colas outward and tie them down to the rim of the pot. This opens the centre of the canopy and primes the plant for an even flower spread. If you're running a larger space, a second top or fim at day 28–30 can add 4–6 additional colas without significantly extending your schedule. For a detailed comparison of these techniques, see our fimming vs topping guide.
Veg Environment Targets
- Temperature: 72–80°F (22–27°C) during lights-on, 65–70°F lights-off
- RH: 55–70%
- VPD: 0.8–1.0 kPa
- PPFD: 400–600 µmol/m²/s
- EC (soil top-feed): 1.2–1.8 mS/cm
Flowering the LSD Strain: 60–65 Days to Harvest
Flip to 12/12 once the canopy is structured. LSD will stretch 40–60% in the first two weeks of flower, so account for ceiling clearance before you flip. A plant that's 45 cm at flip can easily reach 75–80 cm by week 3.
Light and PPFD in Flower
Ramp PPFD to 800–1000 µmol/m²/s by week 3 of flower. LSD handles intensity well and rewards it with resin production — but watch your leaf surface temperature. If you're running HID lights, a 600W HPS in a 1.2×1.2m tent is workable. Full-spectrum LEDs at equivalent DLI (40–50 mol/m²/day) will run cooler and give you finer VPD control. Use our Grow Light Calculator to dial in your specific setup.
Flower Environment Targets
- Temperature: 68–78°F (20–26°C) lights-on, 62–68°F lights-off
- RH: 40–50% (drop to 40–45% from week 6 onward)
- VPD: 1.2–1.6 kPa
- PPFD: 800–1000 µmol/m²/s
- CO₂: 800–1000 ppm if running supplemental CO₂
Humidity is the critical variable with LSD. Those swollen, rock-hard buds have minimal airflow through their interior — keeping RH above 55% in late flower is asking for botrytis. Run your exhaust fan on a continuous low setting rather than cycling it, and place an oscillating clip fan underneath the canopy to push air upward through the bud sites.
Nutrients for LSD: EC, pH, and Flush Timing
LSD is a moderate feeder — it doesn't need aggressive EC, but it depletes phosphorus and potassium quickly in mid-to-late flower. A common mistake is under-feeding P/K while over-feeding nitrogen in weeks 4–6, which produces leafy, loose buds rather than the dense nugs this strain is capable of.
Feeding Schedule by Phase
| Phase | EC (soil) | pH | Key nutrients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seedling (days 1–14) | 0.4–0.8 | 6.0–6.2 | Low-dose balanced; see seedling nutrients guide |
| Veg (weeks 2–5) | 1.2–1.8 | 6.0–6.5 | N-heavy, moderate P/K |
| Early flower (weeks 1–3) | 1.6–2.0 | 6.2–6.5 | Transition: reduce N, add P/K booster |
| Mid flower (weeks 4–7) | 1.8–2.2 | 6.2–6.5 | High P/K, minimal N, add cal-mag |
| Late flower / flush (weeks 8–9) | 0.4–0.8 → flush | 6.2–6.5 | Plain water, final enzyme flush (soil) |
Watch for calcium and magnesium deficiencies in weeks 4–6 — LSD's high metabolic rate during bulk production creates demand. If you spot interveinal yellowing or brown spotting on mid-canopy leaves, reach for cal-mag before blaming the base feed. Use our Nutrient Deficiency Identifier to confirm before adjusting your feed stack.
For growers preferring a no-synthetic approach, LSD thrives in well-amended living soil — worm castings, kelp meal, and fish bone meal at transplant can carry the plant through most of veg with nothing but water. Check our best organic nutrients guide for a full breakdown.
Harvesting the LSD Strain
LSD's flowering window is 60–65 days from flip — but don't use the calendar as your only signal. The definitive indicator is trichome maturity. Under a 60× loupe or digital microscope, you want to see mostly cloudy/milky trichomes with 10–20% amber on the calyxes (not the sugar leaves — leaves amber earlier). Pistils will be 70–80% darkened and curled inward at this point.
- Clear trichomes = too early (light, racy effect)
- All cloudy = peak THC, energetic effect
- 10–20% amber = maximum sedation profile — ideal for this strain
- 30%+ amber = THC degrading to CBN, heavy couch-lock
On harvest day, use sharp, sterile scissors and work in a cool room (under 70°F). LSD buds are sticky — have isopropyl alcohol on hand to clean your shears every 20 minutes. Wet trim large fan leaves before hanging; leave sugar leaves on if you prefer a slower dry curve.
Use our Yield Calculator to estimate your harvest weight going into dry — LSD's dense buds lose about 75–80% water weight during drying, so a 500g wet harvest will yield roughly 100–125g dried. Track your numbers in a grow diary to benchmark future runs.
Drying and Curing LSD: Don't Rush This Stage
A slow, controlled dry is non-negotiable with LSD's dense buds. Hang trimmed branches upside down in a dark space at 60–65°F and 50–55% RH. Target a 7–10 day dry — stems should snap cleanly (not bend) before you jar up. Rushing this step below 7 days traps moisture in the core of the bud and causes hay smell or mold post-jar.
Curing Protocol
- Fill mason jars or Grove Bags to ~75% capacity
- Burp lids 2–3× daily for the first 7 days — 10–15 minutes per opening
- Drop burping to once daily for weeks 2–3
- By week 4, RH inside the jar should stabilize at 58–62% — use Boveda 62 packs to maintain this
- Minimum cure: 3 weeks. LSD's terpene profile opens up significantly at 4–6 weeks
Set up timed reminders and track moisture levels automatically with our Dry & Cure Timer — it removes the guesswork from burp scheduling.
Yield Expectations and Planning
Indoors with a well-trained plant, expect 450–600g/m² under 600W HPS or equivalent LED. A single LSD plant in a 20L container, topped twice and run with a 4-week veg, can yield 80–130g dried. Outdoors in a long-season climate, plants can exceed 500g per plant — LSD's Mazar heritage gives it genuine bulk potential when it has room to root.
To forecast your cost-per-gram before harvest, run your setup numbers through our Cost Per Gram Calculator — useful for comparing runs across different setups or lighting configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the LSD strain take to flower?
LSD flowers in 60–65 days from the flip to 12/12 lighting. Check trichomes from day 58 onward rather than relying solely on day count — phenotypic variation can push some plants to day 67.
Is the LSD strain good for beginner growers?
Yes, with one caveat. LSD is pest-resistant, grows vigorously, and tolerates minor feeding errors — all beginner-friendly traits. The challenge is humidity management in late flower. If you can keep RH below 50% from week 6 onward, this strain is very forgiving. See our indoor single-plant guide for a solid starting framework.
What medium works best for growing LSD cannabis?
LSD performs well in soil, coco/perlite (70/30), and amended living soil. On Grow Guide, 63% of all tracked grows use soil, and LSD's root system thrives with the buffering capacity soil provides. Coco will produce faster growth and potentially larger yields but requires more attentive EC and watering frequency.
How do I prevent mold on LSD's dense buds?
Keep RH below 50% from week 5 of flower, ensure continuous airflow through the canopy (not just across it), and defoliate selectively around bud sites at week 3 and week 6 of flower. If you're in a humid climate or running a small tent, a portable dehumidifier inside or just outside the tent is worth the investment.
When should I flush LSD before harvest?
In soil, begin flushing with plain pH-adjusted water (6.2–6.5) 10–14 days before harvest — roughly week 8 of flower. In coco, a 5–7 day flush is sufficient given coco's lower nutrient retention. Aim for runoff EC to drop below 1.0 mS/cm before you chop.
References
- Barney's Farm Seed Company (2024). LSD Strain Lineage and Cultivation Notes. Barney's Farm officially documents LSD as a Skunk #1 × Mazar cross with ~24% THC and 60–65 day flower time. barneysfarm.com
- Leafly Editorial Team (2024). How to Grow LSD Cannabis. Covers environmental targets for the LSD strain including temperature (65–80°F), humidity (40–50%), and flowering light schedule. leafly.com
- Cervantes, J. (2015). The Cannabis Encyclopedia. Van Patten Publishing. Comprehensive reference on indica-dominant cultivation, VPD management, trichome maturity indicators, and harvest timing protocols used throughout this guide.
- MMJ.com Editorial (2023). Drying and Curing Cannabis: A Complete Guide. Documents optimal dry conditions (60–70°F, 45–55% RH, 7–10 days) and curing protocols (airtight containers, 3–4 weeks minimum) referenced in the post-harvest section. mmj.com
- Grow With Jane / Strainy (2024). LSD by Barney's Farm — Strain Profile and Grow Data. Confirms CBD level of ~1.3% and documents grower-reported nutrient and training approaches for the LSD strain. growithjane.com
