Let’s Talk Medical Marijuana Strains
With so many strains out there, it is becoming impossible to tally them all up, especially with underground breeders popping up everywhere. If you are as curious as me, this growing gene pool is making it impossible to single out a favorite strain to write about or add to my little green growing book’s wish list.
This past weekend at the High Times Medical Cannabis Cup, the most repeated question following introductions was, “what are you running?” The “what” referring to their current genetics. This is a question that is always asked when meeting new growers.
These strains, genetically unique, can reveal a grower’s farming style and refined pallet. Strains can also morph into a farmer’s identifying fingerprints. We’ve all seen growers become synonymous with certain strains they bind to.
So ProGrower Nation, after being inspired by all the amazing and very different flowers this weekend, let’s talk strains.
To get the strain conversation going I’ll go first. Yes, the tables have turned and this time I’m the one being interviewed!
Hey Miss Geek, what was the first strain you ever heard of?
Growing up in within a 10 mile radius of both Dr. Dre and Snoop, Chronic has been in my vocabulary since before I could remember. Blaring from every car radio blasting KDAY Chronic was in every song and the soundtrack to many adventures.
Chronic specifics:
- Cannabis Genetics:( Northern Lights x Skunk) x (Northern Lights x AK-47)
- Type: sativa/indica hybrid
- Indoor clone grow time: 5 – 10 days (SOG)
- Indoor flowering time: 56 – 63 days
- Indoor yield: 350 – 600 grams/m2
- Outside/Greenhouse harvest time: 15-31 October
What was the first strain you ever researched?
I remember running home and entering in my search engine AK47; and yes, this was after a confusing conversation about a medicinal rifle.
AK 47 specifics:
- Cannabis genetics: Colombian x Mexican x Thai x Afghani
- Type: mostly sativa
- Indoor clone grow time: 5 – 10 days (SOG)
- Indoor flowering time: 53 – 63 days
- Indoor yield: 350 – 500 grams/m2
- THC: 21.5%
- Outside/ Greenhouse harvest time: 15-31 October
What do you look for in a strain?
Taste with a punch, like my coffee. I love being able to invite my senses to taste and smell fruity undertones while still effectively medicating. I have difficulties catching Zzzz’s and even when I do it’s easier to roll out of sleep than it is to fall back in.
Current wish list?
What do you have in the works?
Just picked up some TGA Subcool Genetics at the High Times Medical Cannabis Cup:
Any Bounty Blog readers out there have experience with these strains?
What’s your favorite strain to run?
Although the Blue Dream pheno 02 that I wanted to turn into perfume came in real close, I’d have to say Jillybean.
When cloned, she rooted in 4-5 days. Without a doubt she had no threshold to trigger nute burn, so she took heavy Nitrogen feedings. I mean heavy. She was insatiable! I pushed her to 50ml/gal once to test for a threshold and instead she vigorously prayed up, reaching towards more light.
She smelled of orange peels early in flower; a smell unique to her and undoubtedly memorable. She was easy to clone and root, easy to train and manipulate, and unless you’re underfeeding her, she was a breeze to feed.
Jillybean specifics:
Strain Lineage / Genealogy: Orange Velvet x Space Queen
Phenotypes: Very stable Orange-Mango 50/50 Phenotypes
Height: Short and Stocky
Yield: Very Heavy / Easy Trim
Best Way To Grow: Single topping forms multi heads
Harvest Window: 8 weeks
Sativa/Indica: 30/70
High: Happy, mood enhancing, humorous, energetic
Smell: Like orange skunk or tang/ Taste so much like Creamsicles you will not believe it!
Notes: The bubble from this strain is like concentrated orange goo
Is there a strain that you’ve grown and lost?
Yes, Lemon skunk . She tasted just how she smelled, like lemon pledge, in a good way. Neither my partner nor I took cuts of her. Lesson learned, always take cuts!
Now, there is a zombie apocalypse, what strain (in your stable or wish list) would you save and try to keep forever??
Kosher Kush. If I’m planning on falling asleep I need her on my nightstand. But sleep would probably be the last thing on my agenda if zombies were taking over.
From my wish list? Holy Grail Kush , I actually thought that the Jay Z song Holy Grail was about this strain, until recently.
Strains, strains, strains! What’s your favorite? I’ve had difficulty singling out one strain. I can say that the strains I’ve had the honor to come across have also come with great friendships. I’ve met a long of great, humble growers while on this journey, further interweaving the #growershelpinggrowers network. Happy Farming everyone!
#Jillybeast in the foreground surrounded by it’s clones, GDP, and Blue Dreams.
Family
