In a recent gathering, cannabis aficionados – The Doc, Ellis D., Mr. Knolle, and Mr. Power-Planter – convened with a unique challenge: each was to present a self-grown cannabis strain, aiming for unparalleled quality.
Through a blind vaporizer test, they assessed the strains based on appearance, aroma, and effects.
The Standout Strain
The competition was fierce, given the expertise of each participant. However, one strain emerged victorious. Ellis D., unaware of the strain’s identity, remarked,
“This strain is overwhelmingly banana-like in aroma and flavor. Its heavily trichome-laden flowers are incredibly sticky, delivering a potent, immersive high.” Mr. Knolle humorously added, “Its banana essence is so pronounced, I bet even a monkey would be tempted by its vapor!”
Mr. Power-Planter chimed in with a jest, “Monkey see, monkey vape – you two are true cannabis connoisseurs! But I must admit, I’ve never encountered such a pronounced banana aroma in cannabis. It’s truly exceptional.“
The winning strain? Banana Punch by Barney’s Farm.
The Doc’s Cultivation Journey
The Doc had cultivated Banana Punch in a separate tent, not his usual grow space. He had initially planned a brief 12-day vegetative phase for some exotic pure sativa strains.
On a whim, he added a Banana Punch plant to the mix. Despite the short vegetative period being less than ideal for this slightly indica-dominant strain (55%), The Doc was more intrigued by its unique flavor profile than its yield potential.
Strain Characteristics and Growth Profile
Barney’s Farm describes Banana Punch as a hybrid resulting from Banana OG and Purple Punch. It boasts a rich flavor profile reminiscent of ripe bananas, complemented by berry and citrus undertones, attributed to the presence of limonene, pinene, myrcene, and caryophyllene.
The strain promises robust growth, suitable for various cultivation techniques, yielding 600-650g per sqm in a 60-65 day flowering period. It also inherits a hint of purple from its Purple Punch lineage and offers a calming yet uplifting effect.
Outdoor growers will appreciate its early harvest time by the end of September and its potential to produce up to 1.5 kg per plant.
From Seed to Harvest
The Banana Punch seed germinated effortlessly, consistent with Barney’s Farm’s reputation. The seedling emerged rapidly, reaching 16 cm in height with three internodes in just twelve days.
During flowering, the plant exhibited vigorous growth and prolific bud formation.
The buds matured into dense, resin-rich clusters, showcasing Barney’s Farm’s signature trichome abundance.
The final plant stood at 40 cm, with a dominant central cola and several substantial side buds. A hint of purple was visible in the upper leaves, but the aroma was unmistakably that of Banana OG, with its striking banana scent. After 62 days of flowering, The Doc harvested the mature buds.
The Final Verdict
The final dry yield was a surprising 68 grams.
“For a plant of just 40 cm in height, this is an impressive yield,” The Doc mused. Upon testing the dried flowers with his Crafty+ vaporizer, he was convinced of its championship potential, a belief that was later validated by the acclaim it received from his peers.
| Genetics | Banana Punch (Banana OG x Purple Punch) |
| Vegetative stage | 12 days (after germination) |
| Flowering stage | 62 days / 60-65 days in general |
| Medium | Bionova Bio Soilmix, 11 litre pots |
| pH | 6.4-6.7 |
| EC | 1.2–1.6 mS |
| Light | 1 x SANlight EVO 4 (250 W) |
| Temperature | 19-27°C |
| Air humidity | 40-60% |
| Watering | manually |
| Fertilisation | Bionova Soil Supermix, plus PK 13-14 in the flowering stage |
| Additives/stimulants | Bionova Silution, The Missing Link, Vitasol and X-cel |
| Tools | CleanLight Pro for mould prevention |
| Height | 40 cm |
| Yield | 68 g |
