Don Carlos by Humboldt Seed Company was bred specifically for the reggae legend of the same name, and it carries the irie spirit his fans know so well. Expect big, vigorous plants, frost-covered green buds dotted with purple, and a tart blackberry OG nose cut with fuel that fills a room fast.
Humboldt Seed Company tested more than 70 crosses before settling on this one. The parent plants were the genetics Don Carlos asked for, and they were among the most impressive plants on the farm. The breeder calls itself his personal breeding team, and the care shows in the final selection.
This feminized photoperiod line is indica dominant at 65% indica and 35% sativa, with an average THC of 20 to 24%. It is listed as extremely potent with ethereal effects, a combination that makes it as memorable in the jar as it is in the garden.
Lineage and Breeding
The genetics are Blackberry OG x Humboldt Sour Diesel, carried to an F3 generation. Blackberry OG contributes dark berry sweetness and OG density, while Humboldt Sour Diesel adds sour fuel, vigor and a lift that keeps the high from feeling flat.
Selecting one winner out of more than 70 test crosses is a serious pheno hunt. The F3 status means the line has been grown out and refined over several generations, giving growers a more predictable expression of the frosty, purple-speckled phenotype.
Aroma, Flavor and Effect
Break a bud and you get sour blackberry jam and sharp gas, followed by a cool pine edge. The flavor follows the nose: tart berry on the inhale, diesel and OG funk in the middle, and fresh pine needles on the finish.
The high is extremely potent but floaty, which the breeder describes as ethereal. Picture a slow reggae bassline drifting across a warm evening: the body relaxes, the mind wanders somewhere pleasant, and time slows down a little. It suits music, good company and unhurried evenings.
Growing Don Carlos Indoors and Outdoors
Don Carlos grows into a large plant, so plan your space before you pop the seeds. Indoors, top early and train the branches flat with LST or a SCROG net to keep height under control and spread the canopy evenly under the lights.
Flowering takes about 55 days, which is quick for such a big, potent plant. Outdoors, the breeder lists harvest from September 25 to October 10, letting growers bring the crop in before heavy fall rain in most of Northern California.
Give it room to breathe. Large, frosty plants benefit from good spacing, steady airflow and some lower pruning, and a carbon filter indoors will help contain the loud sour gas aroma during late bloom.
Don Carlos Characteristics
| Strain type | Feminized photoperiod |
| Genetics | Blackberry OG x Humboldt Sour Diesel (F3) |
| Indica/Sativa | 65% Indica / 35% Sativa |
| THC | 20-24% |
| Effect | Extremely potent, ethereal |
| Flavor/Aroma | Sour, blackberry, pine, gassy OG |
| Flowering time | About 55 days |
| Outdoor harvest | September 25 – October 10 |
| Yield | Large plants |
| Characteristics | Large plants, frosty green flowers with purple specks |
| Best cultivation technique | Topping, LST and SCROG to manage size |
FAQ
Who is Don Carlos named after?
The strain was bred specifically for reggae star Don Carlos. Humboldt Seed Company tested more than 70 crosses before choosing this line.
Is Don Carlos Indica or Sativa?
Don Carlos is indica dominant, with a 65% indica and 35% sativa balance.
What are the parents of Don Carlos?
Don Carlos is a cross of Blackberry OG and Humboldt Sour Diesel, offered as an F3 line.
How much THC does Don Carlos have?
The breeder lists an average THC level of 20 to 24%, with an extremely potent, ethereal effect.
How long does Don Carlos take to flower?
Flowering takes about 55 days. Outdoors, harvest is listed from September 25 to October 10.
Does Don Carlos grow tall?
Yes, the breeder describes it as a large plant. Indoors, topping and training help keep it within the available space.
