Mendo Purps by Unknown or Legendary
Before every dispensary menu was flooded with Gelato and Runtz, there was Mendo Purps. Emerging from the clandestine guerrilla grows of Mendocino County in the late 90s, this was the clone-only cut that practically invented the modern purple wave. The original breeder is lost to the mists of the Emerald Triangle, usually just credited as "Legendary" or some old local named Lauren. What we do know is that this cut became the absolute holy grail for West Coast growers. It wasn't just purple because it was cold; it genetically pushed these deep, royal violet hues that made bag appeal go absolutely stupid.
As a plant, the authentic Mendo Purps is a low-yielding, finicky indica that makes you work for every single gram. But the finished product is undeniable. The aroma is a deeply intoxicating mix of artificial grape candy, damp forest earth, and a sharp coffee-hash finish. It became the backbone for massive hits like Granddaddy Purple and is closely tied to the Purple Urkle lines. If you browse the old ICmag threads, you'll see massive arguments breaking out over guys claiming they had the "real" cut versus those who got swindled by seed companies pushing fake knockoffs. Because the truth is, the original Purps was never released in seed form by its creator.
These days, true heads know that any commercial seeds labeled "The Purps" from banks like BC Bud Depot are just interpretations or outcrosses, not the original clone. You either had to know a guy who knew a guy holding a mother plant for twenty years, or you had to wait for modern preservationists like CSI Humboldt to finally release reversed S1s of the verified cut. When you smoke the real deal, it hits you with this heavy, narcotic couch-lock that just melts your bones. It’s a piece of living California history that reminds you why we ever started chasing purple weed in the first place.
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Growing Mendo Purps: 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 USA Mostly Indica 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.
Mendo Purps FAQ
Is Mendo Purps an indica or a sativa?
Mendo Purps is listed as mostly indica.
What are the parents of Mendo Purps?
Mendo Purps was bred from USA Mostly Indica by Unknown or Legendary.
What environment does Mendo Purps 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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