Puna Blue by Supreme Beans

Supreme Beans, USA

Indica-Dominant

Genetics: Hawaiian x Afghani

Potency: THC 17%

www.supremebeans.net

Supreme Beans is a Hawaii-based breeder dedicated to finding the best plants of the beautiful Pacific islands, stabilizing their genetics and then bringing them to the wider cannabis community. Puna Blue is a strain that was given to him by a grower from Hawaii’s Big Island with unknown genetics, but the name may hint at some relation to another Hawaiian strain, Puna Budder from TH Seeds, as well as some heritage that may include DJ Short’s famous Blueberry. We can be sure, however, that PB is a 75/25 indica-sativa hybrid with all the quality typical of the plants from the islands.

This plant tends to grow with one huge main cola rather than several smaller ones, and as is the case with most Blue plants, has a hefty density. It also grows quite quickly with especially fast flowering, which can be expected at around 8 weeks. If you have any previous experience with Blue crops you’ll already know that although the gorgeous coloring will start to come through at the end of flowering, lower temperatures can bring the indigos out even further and leave you with some seriously good-looking bud. Humidity can be an issue with such dense buds, so make sure that there isn’t too much moisture in your grow room.

This must be what they smoke in Hawaii, as the tangy nugs give rise to a heavy, narcotic but social stone that makes the concept of ‘island time’ seem totally normal.

Machine Gum by Muppet Seeds

The Muppet Seeds, Spain

Indica-Dominant

Genetics: Bubble Gum x California Indica/California Desert Sativa

Potency: THC 15%

www.sinsemillast.com

Spain’s Muppet Seeds is a new seed company quickly making a name for itself in the cannabis community. An offspring of Bubble Gum, which was created back in 1993, and a cross between a California indica and a California Desert Sativa, Machine Gum is mostly-indica in genetics and loves an indoor grow room. Bubble Gum in particular is known to be a highly stabilized strain, which has led to its popularity as breeding stock, and it brings a uniformity and sweet taste to Machine Gum plants.

Machine Gum tends to be of medium height and though plants can grow in any environment, they will perform to their best if growers use organic cultivation methods. Chemical-free cannabis growing has become much more popular in recent years, and thanks to the growing demand for good products and decent information, there are now many great plant-based fertilizers and nutrients for both indoor and outdoor growers alike as well as books and blogs on the topic. You can also use household waste such as eggshells and coffee grounds to amend soil and encourage growth. Organic growing has also been said to give a tastier smoke and strong effects, so it can’t hurt to try! Machine Gum’s high resistance to pests means that you shouldn’t find any little critters eating away your crop, and this makes it a good choice for a first timers. You should, however, keep your eyes peeled for any signs of mold, which can occur in warmer climates or if the humidity of your grow room is high. Keep the air inside your room moving well and make sure ventilation is one of your main priorities – especially towards the end of the flowering stage, when the sweet aroma of the plants will increase. For best results, consider pruning your plant, especially around the central cola, and it will respond well. In general, the flowering period takes place at about 8 or 9 weeks and will give a good sized harvest.

Sniff the buds of Machine Gum and you’ll be hit by the delicious sweetness that gives parent plant Bubble Gum its title. This aroma transfers into the taste of the smoked bud, and you’ll also taste a smooth menthol flavor after the main hit of the smoke subsides. However, the high of this strain is even more impressive than the flavor, and renders you positively childlike: a euphoric, giggly mess with a gleeful optimism that will linger even when the stone is done.

Grape Stomper by Gage Green Genetics

Gage Green Genetics, USA

Indica-Dominant

Genetics: JojoRizo’s Purple Elephant x Elite Seeds Chemdog Sour Diesel

Potency: THC 20%

www.gagegreen.org

Providing quality strains for the medical marijuana users of California, Gage Green Genetics are making a name for themselves with such strains as Blueberry Pie and this, their indica-dominant Grape Stomper. This strain has a complex and striking history, comprising the late breeder JojoRizo’s Purple Elephant, a Purple Urkle Hashplant, and Chemdog Sour Diesel from Elite Seeds. The Chemdog Sour Diesel is actually a hybrid of Headband and Sour Diesel, which makes it a fantastic plant to breed from and grow.

One of the most beautiful strains in recent times, Grape Stomper has much more going for her than just her lavender trichomes. Stacked thick and dense, these swell to their fullest at 63 days. She yields well and even in a 2 gallon pot under a 1000-watt HPS indoors, she will give you an enviable stash. Great for training, as she spreads well, she could be a good choice for a SOG set up. The density and weight of her flowers might make staking necessary in the later stages, but this is up to you as growing is all about experimentation and learning-by-doing!

When you smoke your first home-grown Grape Stomper joint, the thick, warm, cosy effect will remind you why you chose her in the first place as you slide into a relaxing stone. The pain-relieving qualities of Grape Stomper along with the gorgeous fruity taste that gives her her name will make her a favorite amongst medicinal users and everyday tokers alike.

The Happy Brother BX2 by Karma Genetics

Karma Genetics, Holland

Indica-Dominant

Genetics: Happy Brother x Happy Brother BX1

Potency: THC 17%

www.karmagenetics.com

Karma Genetics are British breeders operating from Maastricht in the Netherlands. The tale goes that this strain originates from a private grower, a Rasta from Amsterdam, who was growing to medicate his paralyzed brother. Karma got a hold of some clones in the late 90s, worked hard with several other plants, struggling to get a stable offspring, until ChemDawg came through to produce The Happy Brother BX2.

The Happy Brother BX2 is known to produce decent buds under even a small amount of light, Just 400 watts can stimulate enough growth to please any grower, breeder or smoker. It won’t be a large yielder, but the buds you do get will be hefty, and don’t shrink when dried. Your crop will be stocky, with thick branching and wide leaves, making it unnecessary to give plants any additional support in the flowering stage. They should finish anywhere between 9 and 11 weeks, depending on your lighting cycles or the climate.

Karma says that this strain is all about the taste, and he could be onto something; the smoke is smooth and the taste is multi-layered, with citrusy fruit giving way to a musky, dank, skunk-like sensation. Expect a cerebral, psychoactive high moving down through the body in a relaxing sweep.

Mazar-I-Sharif by Bomba Seeds

Bomba Seeds, Ukraine

Pure Indica

Genetics: Landrace Mazar-i-Sharif

Potency: THC 17%

www.bombaseeds.com

Bomba Seeds are an independent seed company based in the Ukraine. Their Mazar-i-Sharif plant is a pure, landrace indica that was discovered by a soldier who fought during the Soviet War in Afghanistan. This nameless soldier had strong anti-war sentiments, but had to fight regardless, and found solace in one interest he shared with some of the Afghan civilians he met – a love of good hashish. Before returning to the former USSR he made sure to collect seeds from his favorite plants in the region and brought them home. These seeds were passed on to Bomba Seeds who now offer them to the public.

If grown outdoors, as nature intended, these plants become indica giants that reach heights of 10 to 13 feet with a classic wide leaf shape. A yield of 50 to 70 ounces per plant isn’t uncommon, and harvest time is early December to early January. The buds are heavy and the yield is large, so be prepared to stake your garden. Mazar likes the cold weather and is hardy, so growers can plant them outside and harvest them in December despite the cold weather. These plants have been known to grow in the snow and can survive even very brutal winter weather.

Mazar-i-Sharif has a pungent, intense aroma with some classic hard Afghan sweetness thrown in for good measure. The high is spaced out and mellow, but over-indulgence can produce a mind-warping couch lock effect, so be careful.