Cheese by HG Fantaseeds
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The Cheese strain, commonly referred to as UK Cheese or Exodus Cheese, is a legendary cultivar famous for its remarkably pungent, savory, and undeniably "cheesy" aroma. Its story traces back to a unique expression of Skunk #1 genetics developed by Sam "The Skunkman" Watson. Around 1988 or 1989, an anonymous grower in the Chiltern Hills of England sprouted a pack of Skunk #1 seeds. Among the batch, one particular female stood out for an exceptionally sharp, musky, and sour-milk scent that dramatically deviated from the typical Skunk profile, leading to the preservation of this specific phenotype as a strict clone-only variety.
The strain owes its survival and worldwide fame to the Exodus Collective, a prominent group of counterculture activists and free-party organizers based in Luton, England. Throughout the 1990s, the collective championed this unique cutting, sharing it extensively throughout the UK's underground rave and grower communities. This grassroots distribution transformed Cheese into an enduring symbol of British cannabis culture. Its distinctive smell and heavy, stoning body high combined with socially uplifting cerebral effects made it an instant favorite across the globe.
In the modern cannabis landscape, Exodus Cheese is considered the cornerstone of European genetics. While genuine Exodus Cheese remains a heavily guarded, time-honored clone, its genetic influence has spawned countless hybrids—such as Blue Cheese and Big Buddha Cheese—designed to capture its elusive terpene profile. Its savory, sulfur-heavy aroma continues to offer a sharp, beloved contrast to the fruity and sweet dessert strains dominating today’s market.
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Similar strains
| Breeder | HG Fantaseeds |
|---|---|
| Type | mostly sativa |
| Flowering time | ±70 days |
| Environment | Outdoors |
| Lineage | Cheese × Cheese |
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🧬 Explore the family: Cheese · Cheese
Ancestry Pedigree
Clone Only Strains
Sensi Seeds
The Seed Bank
Cultivators Choice
Original Strains
Original Strains
Original Strains
Big Buddha Seeds
Clone Only Strains
Original Strains
Growing Cheese: what to expect
As a sativa-leaning plant, plan for a big stretch after the flip (often 100–200%) — flip earlier than feels natural and keep training options ready. Sativa-leaning plants also generally prefer a lighter feed than heavy indicas. Growers familiar with Cheese or Cheese will recognize much of its behavior. Whatever the listing says, the cut in YOUR tent is the ground truth: log feedings, readings, and photos, and let the trends — not the label — drive decisions.
Cheese FAQ
How long does Cheese take to flower?
Cheese typically flowers in around 70 days after switching to a 12/12 light schedule. Individual phenotypes vary, so judge harvest readiness by trichome color, not the calendar.
Is Cheese an indica or a sativa?
Cheese is listed as mostly sativa.
What are the parents of Cheese?
Cheese was bred from Cheese × Cheese by HG Fantaseeds.
What environment does Cheese like?
Standard cannabis bands work well: VPD 0.8–1.1 kPa in veg and 1.0–1.4 kPa in flower, with humidity stepping down from 65–75% as a seedling to 40–50% in late flower. See the stage-by-stage table on this page.
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