Origins and Backstory: Bred by DJ Short, Flo is a clone that has been around Colorado for many years. She has similar ancestry to Blueberry, but was bred more for her active effects as opposed to Blueberry’s couchlocking stone. She is a mix of Highland Thai, Chocolate Thai, Mexican, and Afghan genetics. The more I see modern varieties, the more I appreciate the work of breeders like DJ Short. He took those old landrace genetics, and selected some very unique lines off of his creations. Flo is an inbred line of what DJ Short refers to as his “Floral line.” F-13 is also part of this line. He has really created some of the more unique gems over the years! This flower was grown beyond organically by an extremely talented friend of mine at an elevation over 7,000’.
Appearance: I frequently joke with friends that DJ Short was growing the original cookies. While not as dense as more “modern” Cookie strains, Flo is consistently a dappled dark purple/dark green flower with prominent pistils and trichomes—really it’s an all around winner as far as appearances go, and a bag of Flo always looks nice, seemingly regardless of how it was grown. This is pretty, colorful, frosty, flower with solid bag appeal—especially for a strain from the ‘90s!
Aroma: Perhaps predictably, Flo smells fairly floral with noticeable notes of geranium, rose, and an almost-mysterious incense note that smells like an exotic wood or something. It is feminine, soft, sweet, with that signature DJ Short floral/berry/musk in it. My experience with the Blueberry, Flo, and F-13 are that they all have a common undertone that is a telltale marker of DJ Short gear. This is certainly enjoyable and unique-smelling weed, and one that older heads describe as smelling like an old-school Nepalese temple ball. There is a sort of sweet, floral note that frequently comes out in my home-made temple balls (although I’m not old-school enough to have smoked a genuine Nepali temple ball). The aroma is another high point of Flo. It is far removed and unlike modern cannabis, but equally if not more enjoyable.
Flavor: Following closely behind the aroma (as well as the namesake), the flavor is floral, sweet, and with fruity tones reminding me of berries, incense, and musk. The musk, berries, and floral tones are most prominent in the flavor, but really make for a unique taste. If this strain weren’t so ubiquitous at Colorado dispensaries the last 10-12 years, it would probably astound me. It is very unique and certainly from a wholly other vein than the current OG, Chem, and Cookie trends. It tastes like some kind of alien fruit, or a hybrid between fruit and flowers. It is enticing, enjoyable, signature DJ Short (anyone who has smelled his berry-musk note can instantly recognize it again), and something to look forward to with this flower.
Effects: The effect of Flo tends to either really drive this one home as a winner, or turns people off who vow never to smoke it again. On a clean head, the effect is uplifting, happy, euphoric, and relatively motivational/functional. In my own experience however, this does not mean “light” or the opposite of potent! It is still strong smoke that will get me plenty high, and even makes me paranoid/anxious if I smoke too much. If I overdo Flo, I enter a really dreamy state and the effect loses a lot of its motivating factor. However, there is a “softness” to the effect that tends to turn off OG and Chem lovers who will tell you Flo is mid-grade flower. I see their point—in the evening when I am looking for strength in my smoke, the Flo will not deliver the punch that seasoned tokers are looking for. However, it is enjoyable and beautiful smoke that tends to brighten a mood and day, and strong enough that you don’t need to double up your bowl in the morning (as I know some folks do with lighter sativas).
Overall: Flo is a legend on the front range of Colorado. She has been here longer than I, and when I first showed up to the scene, every cultivator, dispensary, caregiver, and really almost every garden I encountered had a cutting of Flo. This plant is easy to grow, aesthetically pleasing (both alive and dried/cured), has an incredible history, as well as unique flavor/aroma profile. The effect is ideal for outdoorsy and active people, which would explain its prevalence here in Colorado. The DJ Short signature floral-berry-musk is as strong as ever in this one, and the only other plant I have encountered that exemplifies the notes in a comparable way is Blueberry. F-13 comes close as well, but nothing brings “DJ Short” to my own mind more than an aromatic bag of Flo or Blueberry. This is (and will be) nostalgic smoke for many, but I fear the more hype-based and commercial-oriented cultivars will soon make this cutting a thing of the past.