Bruce Banner 3
Bruce Banner #3: An Award-Winning Sativa-Dominant Strain
Bruce Banner #3 is an award-winning sativa-dominant cannabis strain recognised for its impressive potency. It was named "Most Potent Strain" at the High Times Cannabis Cup (2013) and won 1st place at the Denver US Cannabis Cup—for good reason. Bruce Banner #3 offers some incredibly strong flowers that can harbour a THC content of up to 30%. Such concentrated levels make a single hit enough to produce an intense yet balanced surge of euphoria.
Genetic Background of Bruce Banner #3: Potent Lineage
While many regard Bruce Banner #3 as a brute of a strain, overwhelming users with its intense potency, the creation process was far more sophisticated. First, you have the original Bruce Banner strain, a regular seed created by Dark Horse Genetics using Strawberry Diesel and OG Kush. Given its parents, it's hardly surprising that the original Bruce Banner turned the cannabis world on its head—many had never seen a strain with up to 32% THC. However, it wasn't just a single phenotype that would dominate the breeding scene.
There are, in fact, five different phenotypes that can arise from the original Bruce Banner. Of those five, #2 and #4 were eventually dropped, and what remained were #3, #5, and the elusive Bruce Banner #1. Each phenotype has slight variations, but one factor remains the same across all of them—potency. Seeing what was possible, Dutch seed bank Delta-9 refined and stabilised the #3 phenotype, bringing the feminized Bruce Banner #3 to the mass cannabis market.
Founded by Ed Borg, Delta-9 has over 25 years of experience working with cannabis seeds. Based in Amsterdam, the seed bank continues to catalogue and refine cannabis genetics from all over the world. And while Bruce Banner #3 remains one of its most popular cultivars, Delta-9 also stocks a wide range of expertly prepared strains, including Double Kush, CannaSutra, Fondue, Southern Lights, and Magnum Platinum Haze.
Aroma and Flavour of Bruce Banner #3: Fruity and Dank
Bruce Banner #3 boasts a complex flavour profile that includes hints of sweet, spicy fruits thanks to its Strawberry Diesel parentage and prominent notes of earthiness and diesel derived from OG Kush. The terpene profile of Bruce Banner #3 is led by:
- Myrcene
- Caryophyllene
- Limonene
Myrcene imparts a musky and earthy scent, caryophyllene adds a spicy and peppery note, while limonene contributes a citrus-like freshness. Together, they create a genuinely aromatic strain, with several plants easily overwhelming a grow room with their pungent smell. This is an essential factor for outdoor growers because of the potential for unwanted attention. Fortunately, the flavour is less overpowering. The inhale contains more sweet strawberry flavours, while the exhale has much milder hints of diesel.
Potency and Effects of Bruce Banner #3
Potency is where Brue Banner #3 excels. In fact, it has been named one of the world's strongest strains for several years in a row. With up to 30% THC, this is not a strain for the faint-hearted (or those with a low tolerance). That said, there is more to the Bruce Banner #3 experience than sheer force.
Recreational Uses
Provided you can handle the potency, its uplifting sativa influence makes Bruce Banner #3 suitable for daytime use, providing users with a boost in creativity and energy. Many enthusiasts enjoy this strain in social settings, finding that it enhances conversations and promotes an upbeat and intensely euphoric atmosphere. Additionally, Bruce Banner #3's relaxing indica traits make it suitable for more laid-back activities such as listening to music, watching movies, or relaxing after a long day at work.
Bruce Banner #3 is also commonly used in edibles for a more prolonged and gradual experience, but this is only recommended for veteran users, as the effects are almost psychedelic in nature. Many others choose to vape or smoke this strain for more immediate but shorter-lived effects.
Potential Side Effects
The higher the THC concentration of a strain, the greater the likelihood of unwanted side effects, especially if you have a low tolerance. This is a crucial concern with Bruce Banner #3, given that it naturally possesses above-average THC levels. As such, possible side effects include:
- Paranoia
- Headaches
- Dry eyes
Growing Bruce Banner #3: Tall Plants and Large Yields
It's common for strains with an excessively strong performance in one area to struggle elsewhere. Fortunately, this isn't the case for Bruce Banner #3, as it provides potency alongside a pleasant growing experience. The strain performs well indoors and out, with a respectable resistance to pests and disease.
Indoor Growing Tips
This hybrid thrives in a controlled environment, making indoor cultivation the preferred choice, especially for first-time cultivators. Proper ventilation and airflow are also crucial to prevent issues like bud rot. Bruce Banner #3 typically flowers in about 9–10 weeks, producing dense, resinous buds.
She responds well to techniques such as topping and low-stress training (LST), as they encourage lateral growth and improve overall yield. Management of lateral growth is critical because some plants can become over a metre tall. While it's not necessarily considered the easiest strain for beginners, it can still provide a reasonable return if you closely monitor how the plants perform. Under ideal conditions, you can expect a yield of 400–500g/m².
Outdoor Growing Tips
It's essential that plants receive ample sunlight for at least eight hours a day to promote healthy growth and optimal resin production. Bruce Banner #3 generally finishes flowering in early October, depending on the local climate. It's also worth noting that this strain stays true to its sativa dominance, with a considerable stretch as it enters the flowering phase. Outdoors, you'll need to consider extra support to ensure branches don't snap or bend—some plants can become over three metres tall!
Another crucial concern is the smell. Bruce Banner #3 develops highly aromatic flowers, and may attract unwanted attention without several companion plants to mask the aroma.
Should You Try Bruce Banner #3?
Trying Bruce Banner #3 is an appealing option for both users and growers, thanks to its outstanding potency, robust yields, and uplifting high. Users often seek out this hybrid for its potent effects, including a balance of euphoria and relaxation, making it suitable for various recreational and potential therapeutic purposes. The strain's flavour profile, combining sweet strawberries with earthy and diesel undertones, enhances its appeal.
Bruce Banner #3 presents a challenge for growers due to its size. Still, experienced cultivators can find it rewarding, especially considering its robust genetics. The decision to try this strain depends on individual preferences and the willingness to meet its requirements. If you've got the space to let Bruce Banner #3 stretch, then the returns are significant. Whether for users seeking a dynamic cannabis experience or growers looking for a true hulk in the grow room, Bruce Banner #3 stands out as a distinctive and gratifying choice.
Bruce Banner #3 Cannabis Strain: FAQ
Q: Is Bruce Banner #3 the most powerful strain?
A: Bruce Banner #3 is known for its high THC content, often reaching 30%, which places it among the more potent cannabis strains available today. However, declaring any strain as the absolute "most powerful" is subjective and may vary based on individual tolerance and preferences.
Q: What are the parents of Bruce Banner #3?
A: Bruce Banner #3 is the result of crossbreeding OG Kush and Strawberry Diesel.
Q: What are the medical benefits of Bruce Banner #3?
A: Bruce Banner #3 is reported to have various potential medical benefits. However, it's important to note that individual responses to cannabis can vary, and its use for physical discomfort and mood disorders should only be considered under the guidance of a professional.
Q: Is Bruce Banner #3 a good strain for beginners or experienced users?
A: Due to its high THC content, Bruce Banner #3 is usually more suitable for experienced users.
Grow your own Bruce Banner 3
- Grow difficulty
- Medium
- Flowering type
- Photoperiod
- Flowering time
- 9-10 weeks
- Harvest time (outdoor)
- October
- Yield (indoor)
- 400-500g/m2
- Yield (outdoor)
- 500-700g/plant
- Height (indoor)
- 120-150cm
- Height (outdoor)
- 2-3m