Mendo Montage
Breeder: Gage Green Genetics
Mendo Montage is a balanced hybrid bred by Gage Green Genetics in collaboration with the late Jojorizo (d. 2007). Selected from 12 Mendo Purps females crossed with a standout Crystal Locomotive male, it marries Mendocino County purple heritage with the resin output and cerebral edge of Trainwreck-family genetics. The strain earned a quiet cult following in Northern California connoisseur circles during the early 2010s for its jewel-toned bag appeal, grape-candy nose, and potent couch-lock finish. Its greatest legacy is as a breeding cornerstone — the Mendo Montage male crossed with OGKB produced Mendo Breath, one of the most influential dessert-gas lines of the modern era. Mendo Montage was created from a project started with guidance from Jojorizo (RIP 2007), and the F2 generation further refined resin production and potency through a competitive selection of two outstanding parents from the F1 line.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: Mendo Purps x Crystal Locomotive F1
Mendo Purps (Mendocino Purps) is a legendary Mendocino County indica known for deep purple coloration, berry-forward aromatics, and a relaxing body effect. Crystal Locomotive F1 is a Trainwreck x 98 Aloha White Widow cross sourced from breeder Jojorizo, contributing heady euphoria, vigorous growth, and heavy resin production. The 98 Aloha White Widow traces further back to Brazil x India and Black Widow genetics.
Terpene Profile
Myrcene —
Caryophyllene —
Limonene —
Pinene —
Linalool —
Humulene —
Aroma: Sweet grape soda and dark fruit compote on the bag note, deepening to hashy earth, pine, and faint peppery spice when the bud is cracked. On the grind, skunky berry layers over resinous conifer with a eucalyptus thread. Nose stays vibrant in jars for 60–90 days with proper cure at 60–62% RH.
Flavor: First draw delivers sweet grape jam followed by a resinous, piney exhale. Berry jam and dark cherry undertones with a mild pepper snap on the finish. Clean, slightly creamy mouthfeel when cured well. Vaporizing at 180–190°C accentuates berry and citrus; 195–205°C brings forward spice, wood, and gentle herbal bitterness.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Swift — noticeable within 2–5 minutes with facial and ocular relaxation, loosening of neck and shoulder tension, and a gentle mood rise.
Initial euphoric lift with enhanced appreciation for music and food, then a steady transition into deep body-centered calm. Higher doses produce a potent couch-lock and full sedation. Conversation feels easier as anxieties soften without heavy cognitive fog at moderate doses.
Duration: 2–4 hours inhaled with a steady taper after peak at 15–25 minutes. Higher intake extends into deep, sleep-inducing territory.
Commonly Reported Uses
Grower's Notes
Mendo Montage is a notably stable and vigorous indica-dominant hybrid that rewards growers with dense, frosty colas and relatively straightforward cultivation. Bred by Gage Green Genetics from a selection of 12 Mendo Purps females crossed with a stellar Crystal Locomotive (Trainwreck x 98 Aloha White Widow) male, the line exhibits predictable growth patterns and excellent uniformity across seedlings.
Structure and Stretch
Plants develop a compact, multi-branched indica frame with short internodes inherited from the Mendo Purps mother. Expect a moderate stretch of 1.3-1.6x after flipping to 12/12, finishing at medium height indoors (80-120 cm untrained). The lateral growth is significant, so plants fill out a square meter nicely when topped at the 4th-6th node. Side branching is robust and responds exceptionally well to SCROG, LST, and topping, which maximize light penetration and create an even canopy of multiple cola sites.
Flower Time and Yield
Flowering completes in 56-63 days (8-9 weeks) under standard 12/12 photoperiod. Yields are rated high for the genetics, with indoor harvests commonly reaching 400-550 g/m2 under high-efficiency LEDs. Outdoor plants with ample root space can push 500-1000 g per plant in Mediterranean climates, finishing in late September to early October.
Nutrients and Media
Mendo Montage is a moderate-to-heavy feeder that performs well in both soil and hydroponic setups. During vegetation, provide nitrogen-rich feeds (3-1-2 NPK ratio) to support the vigorous branching. Transition to phosphorus and potassium-heavy blends during flower. Cal-Mag supplementation is recommended when running coco or RO water. The strain handles high EC well in mid-flower (weeks 4-6) to maximize resin production.
Environment and Light
Optimal indoor temperatures are 68-80F day with a 10-15F night drop to encourage the signature purple coloration in late flower. Relative humidity should be maintained at 55-65% in veg, dropping to 40-50% in flower, and tapering to 35-40% in the final two weeks to prevent botrytis in the dense colas. Light intensity of 600-900 umol/m2/s in mid-flower produces optimal results; can push to 1000-1200 umol/m2/s with CO2 supplementation. VPD targets of 0.8-1.2 kPa in veg and 1.2-1.5 kPa in bloom balance transpiration and pathogen pressure.
Color and Bud Structure
This is where Mendo Montage truly shines. Buds are rock-hard and extremely compact, stacked with trichomes that contrast tall white stalked heads against dark purple leaf surfaces. The purple and lavender coloration is genetically expressed but intensified by nighttime temperature drops below 65F in the final 2-3 weeks. Fan leaves turn deep purple, and the sugar leaves display rich anthocyanin hues.
Pest and Disease
The compact bud structure requires good airflow management. Defoliate strategically around week 3 of flower to prevent humidity pockets. The strain shows good general vigor and disease resistance, but the density of colas makes botrytis the primary threat in humid environments. IPM with preventive Bacillus applications is recommended through early flower.
Drying and Curing
Hang dry whole plants at 60F and 60% RH for 10-14 days until stems snap cleanly. The dense buds hold moisture longer than expected, so patience is key. Cure in sealed jars for a minimum of 3-4 weeks, burping daily for the first week. The grape candy and sweet floral terpenes develop fully after 4-6 weeks of curing.
History & Origin
Created by Gage Green Genetics with guidance from Jojorizo (RIP 2007), a respected breeder who sourced the Crystal Locomotive male (Trainwreck x 98 Aloha White Widow). Selection was made from 12 Mendo Purps females paired with a single stellar Crystal Locomotive male. The strain gained quiet traction in Northern California connoisseur circles during the early 2010s and appeared on select West Coast dispensary menus by the late 2010s, never reaching mainstream saturation. Its most significant impact came through breeding: the Mendo Montage male crossed with OGKB produced Mendo Breath, which became one of the most influential dessert-gas lines in modern cannabis. Gage Green later released the F2 generation with intensified resin and color traits.
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using Mendo Montage as a parent:
Frequently Asked Questions
7 common questions about Mendo Montage
What is Mendo Montage and what are its genetics?
Mendo Montage is a hybrid cannabis strain (50% Indica / 50% Sativa) bred by Gage Green Genetics. It is a cross of Mendo Purps x Crystal Locomotive F1, testing at 14–20% THC. Mendo Montage is a balanced hybrid bred by Gage Green Genetics in collaboration with the late Jojorizo (d. 2007).
What does Mendo Montage smell and taste like?
Mendo Montage's dominant terpenes are Myrcene, Caryophyllene. The aroma is described as sweet grape soda and dark fruit compote on the bag note, deepening to hashy earth, pine, and faint peppery spice when the bud is cracked. on the grind, skunky berry layers over resinous conifer with a eucalyptus thread. nose stays vibrant in jars for 60–90 days with proper cure at 60–62% rh.. The flavor profile features first draw delivers sweet grape jam followed by a resinous, piney exhale. berry jam and dark cherry undertones with a mild pepper snap on the finish. clean, slightly creamy mouthfeel when cured well. vaporizing at 180–190°c accentuates berry and citrus; 195–205°c brings forward spice, wood, and gentle herbal bitterness..
What are the effects of Mendo Montage?
Swift — noticeable within 2–5 minutes with facial and ocular relaxation, loosening of neck and shoulder tension, and a gentle mood rise. Initial euphoric lift with enhanced appreciation for music and food, then a steady transition into deep body-centered calm. Higher doses produce a potent couch-lock and full sedation. Duration is typically 2–4 hours inhaled with a steady taper after peak at 15–25 minutes. higher intake extends into deep, sleep-inducing territory.. Commonly reported uses include Insomnia, Chronic pain, Depression, Anxiety.
How hard is Mendo Montage to grow?
Mendo Montage is rated easy difficulty. It flowers in 8-9 weeks, reaches medium (80-120 cm indoor) in height, and yields 400-550 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor, outdoor, greenhouse environments.
What are the parent strains of Mendo Montage?
Mendo Montage is a cross of Mendo Purps and Crystal Locomotive F1. Mendo Purps (Mendocino Purps) is a legendary Mendocino County indica known for deep purple coloration, berry-forward aromatics, and a relaxing body effect. Crystal Locomotive F1 is a Trainwreck x 98 Aloha White Widow cross sourced from breeder Jojorizo, contributing heady euphoria, vigorous growth, and heavy resin production.
Does Mendo Montage turn purple?
Yes. Mendo Montage is known to express purple coloration, with reported colors including Deep purple, Lavender, Eggplant, Forest green. Cooler nighttime temperatures during late flowering typically intensify anthocyanin expression.
What strains were bred from Mendo Montage?
Mendo Montage has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Mendo Breath, Mendo Breath F2, Mendo Montage F2, Mendo Supremo, Amethyst. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.
Sources & References (15)
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/mendo-montage/gage-green-genetics
- https://www.leafly.com/strains/mendo-montage
- https://growdiaries.com/seedbank/gagegreen/mendo-montage-f2
- https://nl.growdiaries.com/strains/mendo-montage
- https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/hybrid/mendo-montage
- https://phenodb.eu/lineage/440437
- https://app.jointcommerce.com/blog/category/cannabis-101/mendo-montage-strain-a-comprehensive-strain-guide/
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/mendo-breath-f2/gage-green-genetics
- Grower's Notes cultivation sources:
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/mendo-montage-f2/gage-green-genetics
- https://app.jointcommerce.com/blog/category/cannabis-101/mendo-purps-by-unknown-or-legendary-a-comprehensive-strain-guide/
- https://blimburnseeds.com/blog/marijuana-crop-guide/how-to-grow-mendocino-purple-kush-regular/
- https://app.jointcommerce.com/blog/category/cannabis-101/the-purps-strain-a-comprehensive-strain-guide/
- https://seedsherenow.com/mendo-purps-strain-review/
- https://dnagenetics.com/mendo-purps-cannabis-strain/
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