Apollo F1

Apollo F1: Secure a Harvest in 80 Days

Apollo F1 is a flagship F1 hybrid from Royal Queen Seeds. Launched in January 2023 as part of RQS' original F1 hybrid lineup, Apollo F1 is an indica-dominant variety that gets her name from her uniquely inspiring, creative, and mentally stimulating effects. Like the ancient Greek deity she's named after, Apollo F1 promises to produce an inspiring buzz ideal for creatives, or simply anyone looking for an uplifting experience.

True to her F1 hybrid label, Apollo F1 stems from carefully curated genetic lines that took years to establish. In fact, it's the genetic stability of her predecessors that, according to RQS, gives Apollo F1 such desirable traits, including the unbeatable vigour, resilience, and uniformity that only an F1 hybrid can offer. Keep reading to find out if Apollo F1 by Royal Queen Seeds really lives up to such high standards!

Genetic Background of Apollo F1: Stemming From Three Powerful Parent Lines

One area in which Apollo F1 quickly separates itself from regular cannabis strains is genetics. Unlike traditional cannabis varieties, which are typically poly-hybrids created from a simple cross of two other strains, Apollo F1 stems from what breeders call inbred lines (IBLs). Rather than simply taking pollen from one plant and using it to fertilise another, RQS' breeding team took years to establish the IBLs that birthed Apollo F1 and the other F1 hybrids in their catalogue.

To create an IBL, breeders first pick out strains with desirable traits. This in itself can be an arduous process, as it involves growing out, cloning, and archiving hundreds or even thousands of plants. Once they select the specimens they want to breed with, the RQS breeding team stabilises ONLY their best traits. To do this, they use specific breeding processes (like inbreeding, for example) to craft homozygous plants with distinct genetics. When breeding a strain, breeders can (and often do) cross virtually any cultivar—no matter how closely related they are. When breeding F1s, however, the hybrids that are crossed need to have distinctly different genetics. Only then will they produce offspring with the right vigour and resilience that true F1 hybrids are known for.

Royal Queen Seeds claims that its breeders took several years to create the breeding stock from which their F1 hybrids emerged. Apollo F1, for example, is the result of crossing IBLs stemming from Lemon, Black Domina, and Sugar Magnolia.

Lemon

Lemon is a classic cannabis variety from the 1990s. Allegedly bred by Dutch breeder De Sjamaan (The Shaman), Lemon is said to be an offspring of the almighty White Widow (which itself stems from South Indian and Brazilian landrace varieties). Packing a thick coat of resin and a zesty, tangy citrus aroma, Lemon is thought to have influenced countless famous hybrids and continues to be highly sought-after even by modern breeders.

Black Domina

Few strains have earned their place among indica royalty as firmly as Black Domina. According to Royal Queen Seeds, this heavy-hitting indica hybrid was created by a famous Dutch seed bank in the 1990s from a mix of Northern Lights, Afghani, Ortega, and Hash Plant—all superstar strains in their own right. From this melting pot of genetics came Black Domina, packed with earthy aromas and a soothing, full-body stone.

Sugar Magnolia

Also known as Deadhead OG, Sugar Magnolia is renowned for being the quintessential daytime smoke. Brimming with gassy, Skunky, and spicy aromas, Sugar Magnolia is flavourful and aromatic while offering uplifting, positive, and energising effects—many of which you'll find perfectly preserved and intensified in Apollo F1.

Aroma and Flavour of Apollo F1: Fresh and Complex

Take one look at Apollo F1's bushy, compact structure, and there's no denying her indica heritage. Her flowers, which grow tight and heavy with swollen calyxes, sugary resin, and the occasional purple hue, further hint at her heavy indica dominance. Light her up, however, and you'll be pleasantly surprised not only by her balanced effects but also her exotic aromas and flavours.

Containing myrcene, terpinolene, farnesene, caryophyllene, ocimene, limonene, and linalool, Apollo F1 has an intense smell that combines upfront notes of fresh pine with tangy notes of ripe citrus, hints of dark vanilla, and a soft floral backdrop dominated by notes of lavender.

Potency and Effects of Apollo F1: Physical Relaxation Without Brain Fog

Despite her undeniable indica structure, Apollo F1 delivers uplifting, cerebral effects that you'd normally expect from a sativa or more balanced hybrid. While RQS hasn't disclosed her exact cannabinoid values, Apollo F1 surely produces over 20% THC and low concentrations of CBD. Light her up, savour her delicious aromas and flavours, then enjoy as you get hit with a relaxing physical effect coupled with an uplifting, motivating, and social euphoria. Users with a decent tolerance will find this strain ideal for whenever they want to enjoy a relaxing body stone and a sharp mind. At higher doses, however, Apollo F1's indica side is known to shine through and produce a heavier physical stone and even couch-lock.

Recreational Uses

Thanks to its great mix of cerebral and physical effects, Apollo F1 is a very balanced strain that can appeal to a wide variety of users and pairs well with a plethora of settings and activities, including:

• Social events such as parties and get-togethers
• Listening to music, watching movies, or enjoying art shows
• Riding bikes, walking, or enjoying other light outdoor activities
• Chill, solitary sessions at home

Potential Side Effects

Apollo F1 is a potent variety of cannabis. While user reports suggest that she is generally well-tolerated, her strong effects might not sit well with everyone—especially users with a low tolerance or who don't enjoy strains with the previously described effects profile. Some of the main side effects you may experience when using Apollo F1 include:

• Sedation and couch-lock
• Anxiety
• Altered cognitive function
• Dry mouth and eyes
• Dizziness

Growing Apollo F1: Large Harvests From Vigorous Plants

Like the rest of RQS' F1 hybrids, Apollo F1 has been specially bred to offer growers a simple cultivation experience. The strain promises to produce plants with clone-like stability and uniformity, but from seeds instead of cuttings. Moreover, due to the unique way they are bred, F1 hybrids develop "heterosis", which makes them faster to finish and more resilient to pests or stress.

First-time growers, for example, have admitted to committing some serious mistakes while growing Apollo F1 yet still experienced great results come harvest time. Moreover, Apollo F1 produces autoflowering plants with a compact structure. According to Royal Queen Seeds, these plants reach 55–75 cm in height and go from seed to harvest in 80 days.

Indoor Growing Tips

Apollo F1 seeds perform best when sown directly in their final pots. Remember, Apollo F1 is an auto strain and therefore has a short veg cycle of only around 30 days, which you'll want to make the most of. In general, Apollo F1 plants need no training, though light LST and defoliation can help to maximise their yield potential.

Once your seedlings have sprouted, keep them under 18 hours of light. If you have a dimmable grow lamp, keep the light close to your plants but at a low intensity to minimise stretching as well as any risk of light/heat stress. Apollo F1 thrives in organic soils or when fed with organic fertilisers and bloom boosters. Around 30 days after sprouting your seeds, Apollo F1 plants will naturally transition into bloom, at which stage they'll quickly grow heavy with dense buds. In 75–80 days after germination, your Apollo F1 plants will be harvest-ready.

Outdoor Growing Tips

Apollo F1 performs very well outdoors, but we recommend starting your seeds off inside to ensure they get a solid start to life. Once they've developed one set of true leaves, begin acclimatising your Apollo F1 plants, ensuring they end up in a spot with maximum direct sunlight. Again, consider using LST and defoliation to open up your canopy and promote higher yields. Thanks to her short life cycle and compact stature, Apollo F1 performs particularly well in stealth setups or areas with short summers. Like indoors, outdoor Apollo F1 plants take 75–80 days to go from seed to harvest, with a bloom phase of 45–50 days.

Should You Try Apollo F1?

Apollo F1 promises to be a rewarding grow for both beginners (thanks to her resilience) as well as experienced cultivators (thanks to her uniform traits and clone-like stability). Moreover, her rich aromas and balanced high secure her appeal among a wide variety of users. If you like strains that deliver a strong body stone without knocking you out, consider adding Apollo F1 to your seed stock.

Apollo F1 Cannabis Strain: FAQ

Q: Is Apollo F1 sativa or indica?
A: Apollo F1 is a hybrid variety with indica dominance.

Q: What are the characteristics and origins of the Apollo F1 strain?
A: Apollo F1 was bred by Royal Queen Seeds from a mix of Lemon, Black Domina, and Sugar Magnolia genetics. It was released in January 2023 and produces flowers with complex, earthy pine aromas and effects that relax the body and elevate the mind.

Q: What are growers saying about their experience with Apollo F1?
A: Since its release, Apollo F1 has received a lot of positive reviews from both indoor and outdoor growers. Not only does this variety perform well in the grow room, but she also promises to produce potent buds packed with rich terpenes and THC.

Q: What does Apollo F1 cannabis taste like?
A: Apollo F1 tastes of fresh pine and citrus, combined with notes of vanilla and lavender. Some users say her flavour also features hints of gas and skunk.