Starfighter

Of 11 F2 seeds of Starfighter in a grow documented between 2023 and 2024, all formed a taproot within 24 hours, yet the plants raised from them differed clearly in leaf shape and sturdiness. The indica-dominant strain comes from Alien Genetics, which crossed Lemon Alien Dawg with Tahoe Alien, also called Alien Tahoe OG. Among breeders it is regarded as the strain that made Alien Genetics known.

Cultivation:

In soil, 10 of the 11 seeds came up, and the plants stayed compact at first. One had broad, indica-type leaves; the rest looked more like hybrids. Sturdiness showed weaknesses: the main stem of one plant bent over in the wind, and in flower an upright plant stood next to one of the same lineage that fell over.

The smell changed several times during flowering. At first it was pungent and recalled onions, then came fruity lemon and gasoline, later a scent of gummy candy with a hint of acetone; shortly before harvest, earthy and minty notes joined in. By then the flowers were already dense and thickly coated in resin.

For the original version, Alien Genetics describes dense flowers with milky and amber trichomes. Other strain descriptions differ: one describes small to medium-sized, airy flowers with dark purple leaves and orange hairs, another moderately dense colas with reddish stigmas and purple streaks on dark green fan leaves. One description gives a flowering time of 8 to 9 weeks, and late September to early October for the outdoor harvest.

Genetics and Origin:

Both parents belong to the Alien line, and one strain description puts the indica share at 60 %. For Cookies & Cream, Exotic Genetix crossed Girl Scout Cookies with a father from its own Starfighter F2. MAC by Capulator contains Starfighter through the father Miracle 15, which combines Colombian landrace genetics with Starfighter.

Versions from Different Breeders:

Alien Genetics has released Starfighter only as regular seeds, and the original genetics are no longer distributed. Exotic Genetix grew an F2 from it, which never appeared as seed and went into its own hybrids, and pollinated the F1 with its pollen. This line, called Exotic Fighter, also served only as breeding material.

The breeders give 55 to 70 days of flowering: Elev8 Seeds 55 to 60, Flip Side about 65, NPG Seeds about 70. Elev8 Seeds lists a StarFighter with the same parents as regular seeds and rates the yield as good. Flip Side describes Starfighter IBL, released in 2022 and a cross of its in-house hydro cutting with itself, as a re-release of the original. Furthest removed is Starfighter BX from NPG Seeds, a cross of Starfighter F2 and Kimbo Kush that was pollinated again with an F2 father; according to NPG Seeds, the plants grow more vigorously and wider but remain shaped by Starfighter.

Aroma and Flavor:

Alien Genetics describes the scent as berry-like, with hints of gummy bears and pine needles, and Elev8 Seeds as sweet. Other descriptions add lavender, pine and a chemical undertone, and in the flavor also nutty and skunky notes. Consumers mention lemon, at times as a sweet, earthy dessert note, at times with mint, and at times together with pine so harsh that it recalls a cleaning agent. Some stress the intensity of the smell.

An evaluation of lab certificates for products under this name gives mean values of 0.99 % limonene, 0.47 % caryophyllene and 0.45 % linalool as the most frequent terpenes. Another strain description also lists limonene ahead of caryophyllene, but myrcene in third place; a different one names humulene and caryophyllene as dominant.

THC and CBD Content:

THC figures diverge: 15 to 20 % in one strain description, 18 to 26 % in 2 others, 21 % alongside 1 % CBG in another. One description puts the CBD content at mostly below 1 %. In 2 user reports, 22.2 and 24 % THC are given for the respective flowers.

Effects:

According to Alien Genetics, a strong head effect is followed by a fuzzy, lazy body feeling that can lead to the couch, which is not meant to rule out creative work. Elev8 Seeds speaks of an intense, cerebral effect that is uplifting and relaxing at the same time.

In the user reports, the oldest from 2015, good mood, silliness, euphoria and relaxation recur, along with creativity, concentration and talkativeness. Whether the strain keeps one awake or makes one tired is judged differently by consumers: some describe a burst of energy, in one case with long wakefulness, others drowsiness; one report distinguishes between stimulating and sedating depending on dose. Side effects mentioned are dry mouth and anxiety, in one report also severe headaches, dry eyes and a hangover-like feeling. Strain descriptions add paranoia and dizziness.