El Nino by Green House
Back in the late 90s, when the "White" family of strains was completely dominating the Amsterdam coffeeshop scene, El Nino stepped up and took home 1st place in the Bio category at the 1998 High Times Cannabis Cup. Bred by the Green House Seed Company, this four-way powerhouse is a genetic beast, crossing Haze, Super Skunk, Brazilian Sativa, and South Indian Indica. It's essentially the beefed-up, shorter cousin of White Widow. Shantibaba actually bred this one before heading off to start Mr. Nice Seedbank, where he famously renamed his cut La Niña to reflect the plant's female traits. But to the old heads, she'll always be El Nino.
In the grow room, this indica-dominant hybrid is an absolute dream for tight spaces. She stays remarkably short and bushy, developing thick, sturdy branches that easily support her massive, resin-drenched colas. Real growers know this is one of the best candidates you can run in a Sea of Green (SOG) or Screen of Green (ScrOG) setup. You push her through an 8 to 9-week flower cycle, and she rewards you with heavy, rock-hard nugs that look like they've been rolled in powdered sugar. The aroma is crazy complex—a mix of earthy, spicy woods and herbal funk, finishing with a classic, sharp lemon-skunk bite.
Smoking El Nino is a nostalgic trip. She delivers a devastatingly potent body high that creeps up and locks you into the couch if you overdo it. Yet, it keeps your head surprisingly clear. It was the go-to stash for growers dealing with back pain or insomnia who still wanted to taste that elite Haze and Skunk lineage. It's a true classic that proves the 90s Dutch breeding scene really was a golden era.
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Similar strains
| Breeder | Green House |
|---|---|
| Type | indica/sativa |
| Flowering time | ±60 days |
| THC | 12% |
| CBD | 0.7% |
| Environment | Outdoors |
| Lineage | Original Haze × Super Skunk |
| Descendants | Sterling Kush, White Strawberry Skunk, BCN Seeds - Automatic Kid, Zelda Haze, White Lemon, White Lemon, Steve McGarretts Hair |
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🧬 Explore the family: Original Haze · Super Skunk · Sterling Kush · White Strawberry Skunk · BCN Seeds - Automatic Kid · Zelda Haze · White Lemon · White Lemon · Steve McGarretts Hair
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Growing El Nino: what to expect
As an indica-leaning plant, expect a modest stretch after the flip (roughly 50–100%) and dense bud structure — which makes late-flower humidity discipline the main risk: keep RH in the 40s once buds fatten to stay ahead of mold. Growers familiar with Original Haze or Super Skunk 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.
El Nino FAQ
How long does El Nino take to flower?
El Nino typically flowers in around 60 days after switching to a 12/12 light schedule. Individual phenotypes vary, so judge harvest readiness by trichome color, not the calendar.
Is El Nino an indica or a sativa?
El Nino is listed as indica/sativa.
What are the parents of El Nino?
El Nino was bred from Original Haze × Super Skunk by Green House.
How strong is El Nino?
Reported THC for El Nino is 12% and CBD 0.7%. Actual potency depends heavily on environment, harvest ripeness, and cure quality.
What environment does El Nino 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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