Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Devil by Mr. Nice Seedbank


Mr. Nice Seeds, Holland
Indica-Dominant
Genetics: Afghan x Afghan/Skunk
Potency: THC 18%


Holland’s Mr. Nice Seedbank comprises three breeders, most notably Shantibaba and Howard Marks. Devil is a Shantibaba cross-breed of Afghani indica and an Afghan/Skunk which favors outdoor grows but also fairs well in a greenhouse set up.

If you decide to grow inside, a hydro system will help you get the most out of Devil. Whichever set up you choose to use, don’t fret if your Devil plant shows slow growth at the start, as it needs to establish a decent root ball before it spreads its green wings. Once its vigor picks up it’s a great one for new growers, as it is easy to cultivate, will end up wider than it is tall and doesn’t emit too much odor. Indoors you can expect flowering any time after 8 weeks, or by the start of October in the Northern Hemisphere.

The devilish traits come in the sour smoke and the bud’s ability to send you on a journey through your own mind, which of course could be torturous for those who are less than pure of heart. For us pleasant toking folk, though, comes a magical high which feels like therapy, and eases you into a relaxed mental state.

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Bullshark by the Bulldog Seeds


The Bulldog Seeds, Holland
Indica-Dominant
Genetics: Great White Shark x Skunk #5
Potency: THC 17%



If Hollywood ever makes a movie about a cannabis seed company (and with Arnie on the case that might not be too far away) that company will be the Bulldog. It started life as an underground smokers’ den, which turned into the first ex-sex-shop coffeeshop in Amsterdam, and now comprises locations in several countries, a hotel, and stacks of branded merchandise – a real ‘rags to riches’ story. The Bulldog Seeds  produces its own strains, such as Bullshark, a hybrid of Green House’s Great White Shark and Skunk #5. The award-winning Great White Shark brings Super Skunk, South Indian and Brazilian genetics, which result in great yields and a very strong body stone, while the Skunk family, hailing from the original indica/sativa mix, needs no introduction and brings strength and potency to Bullshark.

A 70/30 indica/sativa mix, Bullshark is a simple and fast strain that’s suitable for growers of all different abilities, from the newest cultivator to the most skilled breeder. A double dose of Skunk genetics means that these plants give off the distinctive Skunk aroma, while the indica genetic ensure that they stay short and dense through their whole life span. Fat buds will grow along the main stalk as well as the secondary branches, meaning that towards the end of flowering you may need to give some extra support to the plant by staking or netting. Flowering occurs within 8 weeks, and a square yard of grow space will yield between 600 and 700 grams. Outdoors, if you’re growing in the Northern hemisphere, harvest will be around mid-October. When you’re drying these buds, the outside tends to dry faster than the inside and will appear to be crisping up after only a couple of days. However, the buds will not be properly aired out inside, so resist the temptation and leave them to cure until you’re sure that the whole bud is fully dry. If you give in and roll up some wet weed, it won’t burn and will leave a bad taste (literally) in your mouth.

A smooth smoke, Bullshark has the strong body effect and skunky sweet taste of its Great White Shark parent. A hint of fruitiness comes through that’s not very noticeable while the buds are growing, which is probably thanks to the Great White Shark parentage. The taste lingers delectably on your palate even as the creeping strength of the high takes over your whole body. This heaviness doesn’t tend to go away quickly either, so set yourself up for the night with some good entertainment and enjoy the feeling.

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Cannaberry by Allele Seeds Research


Allele Seeds Research, USA
Indica-Dominant
Genetics: Cannalope Haze x Northern Lights x Blueberry
Potency: THC 18%



Cannaberry is a 60/40 indica/sativa hybrid project by U.S.-based cannabis research pioneers, Allele Seeds Research. The cross was made using a DNA Genetics Cannalope Haze female, a Sensi Seeds Northern Lights male and a Dutch Passion Blueberry female. This plant has two phenotypes, one that is super sativa head stash, and another (pictured here) that grows like a sativa but with fuller buds from the indica influence.

Cannalope Haze from DNA Genetics is a pure sativa plant that flowers in an incredibly fast 8 weeks. It is an ideal plant to mix with the pure indica indoor-growing Northern Lights from Sensi Seeds because the resulting hybrid is incredibly versatile and can be grown practically anywhere, indoors and out.  The stability and high yield of the Dutch Passion Blueberry means that this plant is a solid all-around performer  set to become a big player in the medical cannabis scene.

Cannaberry’s taste is super fruity with a subtle hint of cantaloupe that isn’t overwhelming but helps add  complexity to the taste. The effects are clear in the head but also offer a great deal of pain relief and help with spasms and inflammation. Check your dispensary for this great strain!

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Lowryder by the Joint Doctor


High Bred Seeds by The Joint Doctor, Canada
Indica-Dominant
Genetics: William’s Wonder x Northern Lights #2 x Mexican Ruderalis
Potency: THC 10-12%



You won’t have to go far in the cannabis community before you run into Lowryder, the Joint Doctor’s biggest gift to the growing world. The Joint Doctor created this groundbreaking plant by crossing a pure indica William’s Wonder with the Seed Bank’s Northern Lights #2, and as the special ingredient, a Mexican ruderalis allegedly from over 25 years ago. A feral variety of cannabis that’s unable to provide a decent high on its own, ruderalis was introduced into this mix primarily for resilience and its ability to move into the flowering stage regardless of the changes of light cycles, or lack thereof.

The first strain to ever exhibit these ‘auto-flowering’ capabilities, Lowryder practically does away with the vegetative stage entirely, sprouting a few leaves then flowering between 17 and 20 days. This doesn’t leave you with a lackluster plant, however, as Lowryder displays extremely rapid growth, with the entirety of its typical life cycle lasting only 8 weeks leaving a small but dense plant. For obvious reasons, the rest of the breeding scene scrambled to get a hold of Lowryder to breed with their strains, and since then, ‘auto’ versions of many seeds have become available with more coming every day.

On its own, though, Lowryder still produces the results: high potency and lots of resin. The has a sweet smoke and a high that can carry you right through the daytime, doing whatever you want to do with all that time you have left over from such an easy grow.

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Olivia Kush by OtherSide Farms


OtherSide Farms, USA
Indica-Dominant
Genetics: Hindu Kush x Skunk
Potency: THC 20%



OtherSide Farms is a medical marijuana information center in the USA that dispenses information and education about cannabis as well as about growing for medicinal users. The team is extremely passionate about providing professional and high quality products, and this commitment shines through in the growing classes conducted at OtherSide as well as in the sought-after original strain, Olivia Kush. Olivia Kush is an indica-dominant mix of the Hindu Kush and Skunk lines, the latter of which is known for its vigorous growth and potent high.

These plants are fairly short but can reach a medium height if given room to grow. They’re very hardy and begin to look extremely bushy towards the end of the vegetative stage. Olivia Kush is more than happy in an organic soil-based grow, and given good quality soil and the right amount of feeding, can be a fantastic yielder. She isn’t fussy and doesn’t demand any particular environment or nutrient mix. A fast finisher, she should be done completely in around 8 weeks, when her deep green colas exhibit hints of purple here and there.

Olivia Kush has a very thick smoke and is a definite cougher, so don’t feel like a rookie toker when you’re reaching for that glass of water. The effects, though, will make you feel like a newbie: a total knock out stone that hits like a brick wall, making it ideal for the medicinal users this strain was designed for.

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Double Fun by No Mercy Supply


No Mercy Supply, Holland
Indica-Dominant
Genetics: Citral x Dr. Weedman
Potency: THC 16%



Holland’s No Mercy Supply, with the tagline ‘to serve you’, are serious about providing the best quality cannabis strains and growing supplies to the world. Double Fun is their best outdoor plant, but being a 75/25 indica/sativa hybrid, its size and stature means it grows happily indoors, too. Double Fun was a cross between Citral, a 1993 KC Brains clone not to be confused with the variety available later on the market, and the legendary but enigmatic Dr. Weedman, an early-flowering variety whose genetic history is all but unknown.

As well as being great for both indoor and outdoor growing, Double Fun is resistant to both mold and fungi. It’s also a highly stable strain with just one phenotype available meaning that your crop will be notably uniform in its growing patterns and results. Industrial growers love to hear this because it means they can grow fields and fields of Double Fun and accurately estimate their yield. These results will include fat, extremely resin-covered nugs coated with white hairs that will be ready for harvest around 60 days from seed. Whether you’re growing indoors or out, you can expect a harvest of around 350 to 500 grams per square yard of grow space.

The buds of this plant are distinctly lemon-smelling, but have a sweet citrusy smoke that dances around the taste buds. The strong psychoactive effect, however, gains more fans than the flavor and will leave you remembering this delightful smoke for a long while.