Early Queen
Cannabis seeds
by Mr. Nice Seedbank
Early Queen Seeds — Fast-Flowering Regular Cannabis Seeds by Mr. Nice
Early Queen is a fast-flowering regular cannabis seed from Mr. Nice that finishes in as little as 6 weeks — making it one of the quickest photoperiod strains on the market. Bred by Shantibaba from a three-way cross of Early Pearl, Early Girl, and Super Skunk, she delivers a balanced, fruity smoke without the usual wait. Fifteen regular seeds per pack, indica-leaning genetics, and a reputation that's held up since Mr. Nice first released her.
This pack contains 15 regular (non-feminised) seeds. Regular seeds produce both male and female plants — expect roughly a 50/50 split, so around 7-8 females per pack on average. You'll need to sex your plants during early flowering and remove males unless you're intentionally breeding. If you'd rather skip that step entirely, Mr. Nice also offers feminised lines worth checking out.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seed Bank | Mr. Nice |
| Seed Type | Regular (non-feminised) |
| Seeds Per Pack | 15 |
| Genetics | Early Pearl x Early Girl x Super Skunk |
| Indica / Sativa | Hybrid (indica-leaning from Super Skunk parentage) |
| Flowering Time (Indoor) | 6-8 weeks |
| Outdoor Harvest | Early finisher — typically ready before most photoperiod strains |
| Yield | Generally good |
| Aroma | Fruity |
| Effect | Balanced — not overly heavy, not overly racy |
| SKU | CSMN0004 |
Growing indoors? Pair Early Queen seeds with a complete grow tent kit to control light cycles and push her through that rapid 6-8 week flowering window. A carbon filter and extraction fan setup is also worth grabbing — even a quick finisher will smell during the last few weeks of flower.
Why Early Queen Seeds Deserve a Spot in Your Grow
Speed is the single biggest selling point here, and it's not a gimmick — it's baked into the genetics. Early Pearl and Early Girl were both bred specifically for short growing seasons and northern climates, and crossing them with a top-grade Super Skunk added weight and resin production without dragging out the flowering time. The result is a plant that can finish flowering in 6 weeks indoors. Six. Most photoperiod strains are barely showing pistils at that point.
For outdoor growers in northern Europe, that speed is the difference between harvesting dry bud and watching your crop rot in October rain. Early Queen finishes before most photoperiod strains even think about ripening, which means you're pulling plants while the weather is still on your side. We've seen growers in the Netherlands and the UK pull successful outdoor harvests with this strain in seasons where everything else got hit by mould.
The honest limitation? She's not going to win any yield competitions against 12-week sativas. That's the trade-off with speed — you're getting a good, solid harvest rather than a record-breaking one. The fruity aroma is pleasant but not overpowering, and the balanced effect sits comfortably in the middle: not couch-lock heavy, not racy or anxious. If you want something you can smoke in the afternoon without writing off the rest of the day, this fits the bill. If you're chasing the heaviest indica stone possible, look at something like Mr. Nice's Critical Mass instead.
Growing Early Queen Seeds — What to Expect
Early Queen seeds are straightforward to grow, which makes them a solid pick if you're still building experience. The indica-leaning Super Skunk parentage keeps plants relatively compact and manageable, and the short flowering time means less time for things to go wrong. According to research published in PMC, hemp cultivars showed significant increases in biomass accumulation with increasing light intensity from 200 to 800 PPFD (PMC12583074) — so if you're growing indoors, pushing your light levels during flower will pay off.
One thing to keep in mind with regular seeds: you're working with a roughly 50/50 male-to-female ratio. Out of 15 seeds, expect around 7-8 females. That's actually an advantage if you're interested in breeding or selecting the best phenotype from a larger pool — Shantibaba has always been a proponent of regular seeds for exactly this reason. But if you just want to fill a tent with females and get to harvest, you'll need to watch for males in early flower and pull them before they open pollen sacs.
- Germinate your Early Queen seeds using the paper towel method or directly in a starter plug. Taproots typically emerge within 24-72 hours.
- Transplant seedlings into their final containers once they've developed 2-3 sets of true leaves. A 10-15 litre pot works well for indoor grows.
- Veg under 18/6 light for 3-5 weeks depending on your target plant size. Early Queen stays compact, so you can flip to 12/12 earlier than most strains without sacrificing much.
- Switch to 12/12 to trigger flowering. Watch for pre-flowers within the first 7-10 days — remove any males as soon as you spot pollen sacs.
- Expect flowering to wrap up in 6-8 weeks. Check trichomes with a jeweller's loupe: mostly cloudy with a few amber means peak harvest for a balanced effect.
- Dry in a dark room at 18-21 degrees Celsius and 55-60% humidity for 7-10 days, then cure in glass jars for at least 2 weeks. The fruity aroma develops properly during the cure — don't rush it.
Early Queen Seeds Compared to Alternatives
| Strain | Seed Type | Flowering Time | Genetics | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Queen (Mr. Nice) | Regular — 15 seeds | 6-8 weeks | Early Pearl x Early Girl x Super Skunk | Speed-focused growers, short outdoor seasons, breeding projects |
| Critical Mass (Mr. Nice) | Regular | 6-8 weeks | Afghani x Skunk #1 | Maximum yield, heavier indica effect |
| Autoflower alternatives | Feminised auto | 8-10 weeks seed to harvest | Varies | No sexing needed, no light schedule changes |
Early Queen's main competition comes from autoflowers, which skip the need for light cycle changes entirely. But autos give you less control over plant size and veg time, and many experienced growers find the flavour and effect of photoperiod genetics more refined. If you want speed and the control that comes with photoperiod growing, Early Queen seeds are the best option in the Mr. Nice catalogue for that combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do Early Queen seeds actually finish flowering?
Six to eight weeks from the flip to 12/12. The fastest phenotypes can finish in 6 weeks under strong light with consistent conditions. Budget 7-8 weeks to be safe, which is still faster than the vast majority of photoperiod strains.
Are Early Queen seeds feminised or regular?
Regular. The pack contains 15 non-feminised seeds, so you'll get a mix of male and female plants — roughly 50/50. You need to identify and remove males during early flowering unless you're breeding.
Can I grow Early Queen seeds outdoors in northern Europe?
Yes — that's exactly what the genetics were designed for. Early Pearl and Early Girl parentage means she finishes before autumn weather turns. She's typically ready to harvest well before most other photoperiod strains, which reduces the risk of mould and bud rot in damp climates.
What does Early Queen smell and taste like?
Fruity and sweet with a mild earthy undertone. It's noticeable but not overpowering — less pungent than pure Skunk lines. The flavour develops properly during a 2-week cure in glass jars.
How many female plants can I expect from 15 regular seeds?
Roughly 7-8 females on average. Regular seeds produce approximately a 50/50 male-to-female ratio. The 15-seed pack gives you a decent pool to select strong females from — or to find a quality male if you're breeding.
Is Early Queen indica or sativa?
She's a hybrid leaning indica, thanks to the Super Skunk parentage. The effect is balanced — not a heavy couch-lock stone, not a racy sativa either. Comfortable for daytime or evening use.
Who is Shantibaba?
Shantibaba is the breeder behind Mr. Nice Seedbank and one of the most respected figures in cannabis genetics. He was previously involved with Greenhouse Seeds and is responsible for creating strains like White Widow, Super Silver Haze, and Critical Mass. Early Queen is part of his regular seed catalogue.
Last updated: April 2026
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Medical disclaimer. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use of any substance.