Cogollon Powell by Dr. Canem & Company

Dr. Canem & Company, Spain

Indica-Dominant

Genetics: Big Bud x Afghan

Potency: THC 17-20%

Dr. Canem & Company Seeds is a breeder’s collective that has been operating since 1998, out of Spain, where they breed excellent cannabis strains and raise Bull Terriers. Cogollon Powell (named after a certain US general) is one of their most interesting strains because of the intriguing blend of Big Bud and Afghani genetics. This high-yielding trait has been maintained by Dr. Canem and his crew, and the injection of Afghani genetics has added some excellent drought-resistance and flavor to the plant.

This plant is almost industrial in its production of bud, so be sure to stake your plants well in advance of flowering. Just like any indica, Cogollon Powell grows well indoors and outdoors, with higher yields from outdoor grows. Indoor growers should set up rotating fans to encourage stronger stalks and good ventilation for the copious buds. Another option is to bounce the young stalks between two fingers gently once or twice a day for half a minute or so to mimic the effect of wind on the young plant – this encourages stronger and thicker stalk growth, which will come in handy when the heavy buds appear.

Smokers should expect a very smooth, pleasant smoke that leaves you feeling overwhelmingly happy. Like all good indicas, the high will last a solid four hours. Dr. Canem & Company are enthusiastic outdoor growers, and if you ever get a chance to smoke bud that they have grown themselves, expect some of the most delicious and natural ganja you’ve ever tasted!

Northern Skunk by Peak Seeds

Peak Seeds, Canada

Indica-Dominant

Genetics: Northern Lights x Pure Skunk F1

Potency: THC 20%

www.peakseedsbc.com

Peak Seeds of Canada is based in British Columbia and aims to bring integrity and a personal touch to the seed business, with an inspiring breeding motto of “Preserve the original, perfect the progeny.” Their Northern Skunk is the result of breeding the much-loved Northern Lights #5 from the BC Seed Company with Peak’s own Skunk male plant, to give a very potent strain that’s also easy to grow.

The individual parent plants of Northern Skunk were chosen for their lateral branching, stocky stature and low odor during the vegetative stage. All of these desirable traits were preserved in the offspring. A short plant which has flowers at about 8 weeks indoors, Northern Skunk loves organic soil grows that are fortified with organic fertilizers and responds particularly well to molasses in the flowering stage. It can be finished in 9 weeks but if you can wait until day 77 (you’ll be happy you did).

The sweet skunkiness emitted from these buds when crushed is a harbinger of their effect; a very Skunk-like body relaxant that is adaptable to many situations because the energy of the high saves you from being locked to the couch and lasts for two hours or more.

Matanaska Tundra by Sagarmatha Seeds

Sagarmatha Seeds, Holland

Indica-Dominant

Genetics: Matanuska Tundra

Potency: THC 18%

www.highestseeds.com

As the celebrated producers of the popular Yumbolt strain, Sagarmatha Seeds are highly thought of amongst growers and breeders alike. Based in Holland, they’ve been established since 1994 and consistently impress the industry with their innovative breeds and the purity of their genetics. Matanuska Tundra, also known to some people as Alaskan Thunder Fuck, is an indica-heavy plant from the Matanuska Valley of the Alaskan Northlands. Thanks to the quality of this strain, the seeds are highly sought after and can be more expensive than other seeds.

Matanuska Tundra can be grown in any sort of grow set up, coming as it does from the harsh surroundings of Alaska. Average flowering time is around 60 to 70 days. It’s relatively small and will only grow to between 20 and 30 inches, making it great for an indoor grow or one that has to be fairly covert. If growing indoors, be sure to watch the internodes with a close eye – once there are between 4 and 7 inches in length, it’s time to force flowering.

The rock-hard buds are gorgeously smooth and chocolaty in their smoke and the high is seductively sedative. This smoke will leave you feeling like a chubby teenager overdosing on hot chocolate and melting into a big comfy couch: absolutely fantastic. 

Hindu Kush by Original Seeds

Original Seeds, Russia

Pure Indica

Genetics: Landrace Hindu Kush

Potency: THC 17%

www.originalseeds.org

Original Seeds is a breeder’s collective operating out of Russia that focuses mainly on landrace genetics and is passionate about spreading the word about these plants. For this strain, Original Seeds worked with two different Hindu Kush strains, one with wider leaves and one with narrow leaves, which gave totally different highs. The Kush landrace was added to this mix to create a spectacular early-flowering homogenous phenotype. The specific genetics of these plants are unclear, though one is assumed to be from somewhere even more western and mountainous than the princely heights of Chitral in Pakistan.

This Hindu Kush strain gives small, deep green plants when grown indoors, but outdoors, the plants can reach beyond 10 feet in height. The branching forms a cone or pyramid, and will bloom into many gorgeous colors if treated with extra potassium. While purebred Hindu Kush plants are not suitable for smoking, the Kush landrace genetics in this plant provide extra resinous buds that are used by locals to make hash (charas) and well as for smoking. Hindu Kush yields dense buds and a heavy harvest, and is great for a beginner grower.

Hindu Kush plants have a more mild, pleasant taste than Afghani indicas and can smell of sandalwood and charas. As the smoke clears you’ll feel a positive, happy body buzz. The stone has a hypnotic, knock-out effect, though it is a quiet and contemplative high rather than one that results in petrification of the brain. 

Garberville Purple Kush by Ocanabis

Ocanabis, Canada

Indica-Dominant

Potency: THC 19%

www.ocanabis.com

Ocanabis is a Canadian grower who got hold of this classic Purple Kush strain a few years ago, and now preserves this fantastic plant. Though it originally came from the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, it was bred and popularized in California, allegedly by K of Trichome Technologies. Thought to be a cross between Purple Afghani and pure Hindu Kush genetics, this strain has given rise to many variations, including Kyle Kushman’s Las Vegas Purple Kush and Clone Only’s GPK. It is most notably available at the Sky Blue Coffee Shop in Oakland.

The original cuts of GPK are shrouded in folklore, so there are several different phenotypes around, but generally a flowering time of around 55 days should be expected. This can extend to 70 days with particularly late-flowering cuts. It grows most favorably in soil or hydro set ups, but yields heavily in all media as long as it’s tended to properly. As ever with Blue or Purple strains, cooler temperatures will bring out the great-looking coloration. The nearer you get to harvest time, the more fragrant the musky buds will become.

Both smell and flavor of the resulting buds have hints of dark fruit, with underlying tones coming from the Afghani roots. The high comes on quickly with an energetic rush, and once this sets you back down on Earth, you’ll feel floaty with a nice body high. Aches and pains melt away, which is fantastic for medicinal users as well as those just looking for some serious chill time.