Killer Queen

Ostensibly named for the rollicking Queen song, Killer Queen is a well-balanced hybrid that’s “guaranteed to blow your mind.” Created in British Columbia, Canada, Killer Queen is a cross between psychedelic G13 and hybrid staple Cinderella 99. It is the brainchild of growing collective Brothers Grimm, the breeders responsible for Apollo 13 and Glass Slipper. This strain offers mostly head-focused effects and a universally appealing tropical flavor profile to boot, making great for both solo and social enjoyment. Its THC content has been measured at between 15% and 20%.

Killer Queen shows off thick flowers that adhere in formations that range from cylindrical to spadelike, tapering down from a broad base into a pointed tip. The buds have a typically dense indica structure, with their small leaves curled tightly inward toward their central stems. The leaves are a mossy shade of green and are twisted through with orange and brown hairs (which are actually pistils, structures meant to catch pollen from flowering male plants). Finally, Killer Queen’s buds are coated in crystalline white trichomes that, even from a distance, give off a silvery glimmer.

When properly cured, Killer Queen has a predominantly sweet and tangy scent, redolent of oranges. As with parent strain Cinderella 99, there’s also a faint suggestion of pineapple, lending this bud a tropical character. Meanwhile, grinding up the dense buds releases some earthy and herbal notes, reminiscent of grandparent strain Jack Herer. When combusted in a pipe or a joint, Killer Queen gives off a pleasantly sweet and smooth smoke. This soothing smoke tastes sweet and citrusy on the exhale.

Killer Queen’s effects hit fast, initially manifesting as a concerted pressure around the eyes and forehead. Once smokers acclimate to this novel sensation, they may notice an increased capacity for deep, cerebral thinking. This kind of analytical acuity can be helpful for blowing through detail-oriented work or for accomplishing a mundane to-do list. In any case, smokers are typically able to maintain lucid thinking and to function in public if need be. In less productive circumstances, users can kick back and enjoy this bud’s heights of euphoria. Killer Queen can be particularly fun when shared with some like-minded friends, as it can inspire free-flowing conversation and facilitate camaraderie. As the bud’s effects wear on, a body high begins to creep in, creating a weighty feeling in the limbs and allowing users to breathe more deeply and easily. In these later stages, smokers may be tempted to seek out the closest comfortable surroundings and stretch out. Even if it manages to couchlock consumers, though, Killer Queen still allows for buzzy mental activity. Because of its taper down from cerebral energy into physical sedation, Killer Queen is best enjoyed during the late afternoon or early evening; if toked right before bed, it’s likely to keep smokers awake and wired.

Killer Queens can also have several applications for medical cannabis patients. Its lasting feeling of focus may help those with attention deficit disorders to sustain concentration on complicated tasks. This bud’s euphoric effects may temporarily improve symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. Meanwhile, its physically numbing properties can soothe deep-seated aches and pains, as well as more mild afflictions like headaches and nausea. Because it can bring about intense, recursive patterns of thinking, Killer Queen is not recommended for those who are prone to panic or who have a low THC tolerance.

Fortunately for home growers, Brother Grimm sells seeds of Killer Queen online. Once obtained, it can be grown indoors or out, although successful outdoor cultivation calls for a semi-humid climate with consistent daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Because Killer Queen’s plants grow short and bushy, growers are encouraged to regularly “top” their crops by trimming away any broad, light-blocking fan leaves that can prevent low-growing nodes from flowering. Growers should also provide staked supports for these heavy buds once flowering begins — which is within 8 to 9 weeks when this strain is grown indoors. Finally, Killer Queen is said to offer a high than average yield of flowers at harvest time.

Killer Queen’s versatile effects are enjoyable for both active and passive enjoyment. Pair it with some upbeat, buzzy music — Queen is great, but anything will suffice.