CSI Humboldt '79 Xmas Bud

Origins and Backstory: I received these seeds along with some Uzbeki, Pakistani Chitral, and Pine Tar Kush—all highly sought after rarities. I was really intrigued by this one and the Pine Tar Kush, and germinated some seeds side-by-side. All of the seeds (I only germinated 4-5) were male except for this one. Xmas Bud presumably can be traced back to 1979, the year it was either imported or discovered—either way, a vintage variety. I am told it is a Pakistani landrace, and is named for its aroma that is right on par with a Christmas tree. I love pine-flavored/scented cannabis, and haven’t seen any around in a while. An intriguing offering from CSI Humboldt/Humboldt CSI. This plant was grown indoors, and was a triploid.

Appearance:  Tbis is definitely the weakest point of the varietal. Xmas Bud looks like standard mids or beasters when grown indoors. It is a dark green bud, in the shape of pine-cones. It is fairly haggard and leafy, with neither pistil nor trichome really that apparent. A jar full of Xmas Bud just looks like an ambiguous green mass. When in flowering, she had giant calyxes. Naturally, I pollenated some—they swelled bigger than any other plant in the tent, despite being the smallest actual plant. Both seeds and calyxes on this one are notably huge.

Aroma:  Just as advertised, ‘79 Xmas Bud is like standing underneath a pine or fir in a forest. There is intense pine needle, earth/dirt/loam/forest floor, hairspray/aerosol, menthol, cologne/old spice, juniper berry/gin, and sandalwood. There is also lemon, lime, and an intense spicy aroma. This is like your grandfather’s cologne from 1994 or something. Most people who have smelled the jar find the aroma very compelling, and one that is often lacking in modern commercial varieties. I am almost embarrassed to show people the jar because the flowers are so ugly, but people (including myself) really love the smell on this one. It is just a really dank, sweaty, earthy, forest smell that probably does something therapeutic for those humans now residing in cities. Huffing a jar is almost like an artificial trip to the forest, with some temple incense on the side. Seriously awesome and different from every other jar on my shelf.

Flavor:  Surprisingly unique, ‘79 Xmas Bud has a very diverse and unexpected flavor profile. It has a lot of parallels to the aroma but is different as well. While piney, the flavor is mostly an exotic spice that reminds me of old men’s country club locker rooms when I was young. It is dank and musty yet with tones of fresh evergreen and old wooden chest as well—it is really bizarre and awesome. It is strains like ‘‘79 Xmas Bud that honestly keep me interested in cannabis and its diversity of traits.

Effects:  A potent indica creeper, ‘79 Xmas Bud begins slowly behind the eyes as a relaxing and smiley stone. It will cut through previous smokes, especially any mental aspects. Xmas Bud is like a mild narcotic with mild euphoria as well—sort of a best of both worlds of relaxation and feel-good. Things are slowed down, mental processes temporarily put on island time. The effect is warm and comforting, very laid back before settling into drowsiness. A fairly standard indica, but scores pleasantly high on the well-being scale, which scores more points than raw potency in my book.

Overall:  I have mixed feelings on this one. While I really enjoy the aroma, flavor, and effect on this one, the flower itself is so bland-looking I am a bit self-conscious showing it to others. To be fair, this plant was somewhat shaded out by its neighbors for a good portion of flowering, which could have contributed. Maybe other people have prettier samples. However, my experience is that she is a standard looking green bud. I think ‘79 Xmas bud belongs in two places: on my shelf, and in breeding programs. Obviously I’m kidding, but I do think it’s worth growing for headstash if you are a cultivator who enjoys nuanced choices, and I think it’s worth cultivating to breed with. The aroma and flavor could probably make for some incredible combinations and unprecedented funk given the right partner.

Bodhi Seeds Synergy

Origin/Backstory:  I received 5 of these seeds with my purchase of Greedo's Stash.  Synergy is a cross of Pinequeen and Bodhi's Appalachia male.  Pinequeen is from Sonic Seeds, a cross of a UK Pineapple clone and Shimla.  I can only assume Shimla is a landrace from the Shimla area in India.  Appalachia is Bodhi's famous Green Crack x Tres Dawg male, and I am under the impression that this male is now discontinued.  This makes the full lineage look like this: [(Shimla/UK Pineapple cut) x (Green Crack x Tres Dawg)].  Like the Moonwalk, I stupidly did not take cuts of Synergy either.  Luckily, I've since been gifted a full package of synergy courtesy of the Seed Vault of California aka Holistic Nursery.  I plan to look for a nice female when space is available.

Appearance:  Buds are somewhat loosely structured, pine-cone shaped with fox tail/dread lock tops.  The color is a green varying from bright lime to dark forest, and cold temperatures late into flower caused some purple accenting on the thin, sativa-like leaves.  This looks like some very fresh herb, even after spending months in a jar.  It just has that classic bag appeal.

Aroma:  Synergy's aroma is truly something beautiful, and its scent alone often enticed me to endulge.  Based on the smell, I would've named this strain "Pineapple Chem."  It is a sweet and fruity aroma, with heavy tropical notes accented by those of solvents.  Perhaps most noticeable is the unmistakable scent of sugar cookies and pineapple juice/syrup from a can.  It is nearly sickly-sweet, and some complexities behind the pineapple are noted as well: mango, starfruit, and orange zest.  The strong fruitiness is complimented by tones of fabric softener, silly putty, crude oil, velvet, skunk, and the classic chem smell.  If Chem were the equivalent of Coca-Cola or Pepsi, Synergy would analogously be one of the spin-offs, like Cherry Coke or some other "jazzed up" flavor. 

Flavor:  Synergy's bouquet translates well into taste, allowing some complexities into the foreground.  The velvety, fabric softener seem to come forward as the pronounced fruitiness fades to midtones of tropical plants and classic skunk.  Some chemical flavors are present as well, but far from offensive or overwhelming.  The flavor is like some bright and fruity chem sativa, and is truly a delight for the connoisseur.

Effects:  Surprisingly bright, uplifting, and positive, Synergy quickly became my favorite "wake 'n bake" choice.  Somewhat dreamy, while remaining vibrantly euphoric.  Synergy creeps slowly into a giggly, super-happy, confident and springy-stepping high that lends optimistic thoughts and positive emotions to the user. 

Overall Experience:  This was my strain of choice this year for enjoying the Winter X-Games.  With the events beginning in the morning, friends and I would partake in a few tokes of Synergy.  We were always careful about dosing--binge smoking this strain turns it into a dreamy, mind-numbing and dumbing stone.  However, when taken in moderation, Synergy is a perfect choice for early imbibing.  Reeking of pineapple and chemical solvent smells, the appeal was heavy--the purple-tinted and trichome-covered flowers helped the case for incredible bag appeal.  I smoked a bowl or two with a friend in the parking lot prior to entering the Aspen winter event.  The flavor is a fruity and floral chemical flavor, very pleasant and enjoyable.  The flavor alone makes the "danger" of overdoing Synergy even more relevant.  However, we stayed true to our limits and entered the event.  The walk to and through security became more interesting and goofy.  Conversations from other event-goers inspired giggles.  The security officer asked if I had been smoking weed because I smelled like it.  Without hesitation, I told him I had, but that I wasn't bringing it into the venue.  After being patted down, I was admitted with a goofy smile on my face.  My friend and I happily bounced around the venue, everything feeling a little bit trippier, dreamier, and funnier than normal.  The effect lasted for several hours, but eventually the average stoner wants another pick-me-up.  Naturally, I would reach for Synergy again, looking for that beautifully happy effect.  However, it was only to be had as the first smoke of the day, particularly in the mornings.  The mood-improvement from Synergy is universal as long as it is the first smoke of the day--Synergy would rarely have much effect on me if it was used as a nightcap or something similar after smoking earlier in the day.  All in all, a delicious and incredibly stinky and unique Chem hybrid.  I look forward to popping more seeds and finding a beautiful, euphoric morning chem phenotype again. 

Bodhi Seeds Moonwalk

Origin/Backstory:  A cut of Moonwalk was gifted to me from the Modern Cannabist of Modern Genetics, presumably after he pheno-hunted a pack of seeds.  Moonwalk comes from Bodhi Seeds, and is a cross of Chem 3 and a male from the Apollo 11 Genius phenotype line.  Chemdog 3 is a sister of the famous Chemdog D and Chem 4 plants.  She is probably grown and hyped the least of the entire Chemdog family, but her potency should not be underrated.  This sample was grown 100% organically in super soil.  I stupidly did not take cuts as the plant looked incredibly weak in veg.  It could not support itself, and had strange/undesirable growth patterns coupled with sativa leaves.  I was wrong in thinking the genetics were poor.

Appearance:  Finished buds are a golden white hue, glistening and absolutely caked in trichomes.  Pistils are a pale peach color and finish short, close to the bulbous pinecone-shaped buds.  Almost no leaf is present as the plant exhibited an absolutely superb calyx-to-leaf ratio.  Looks like awesome, typical green bud.

Aroma:  Moonwalk's bouquet, though underwhelming in potency, is pleasant, subtle, and most importantly, intriguing.  This lack of intensity is almost a blessing in disguise, as it allows for a profusion of subtleties to shine through.  A jar smells sweet and sour--it is oddly refreshing, yet simultaneously conjures up notes of chemicals and solvents.  Lemongrass immediately comes to mind, as does melon, faint cantaloupe, strong nose of celery and raw carrot, burnt rubber, and a hint of some sour tangy musk.  When a bud is broken up, the Chem 3 lineage becomes more apparent.  Scents identical to chlorine and bleach bring back poolside memories in the dead of winter.  Offensive skunky odors are almost entirely absent. It is truly bizarre, even for those initiated into the Chem family of cannabis.

Flavor:  The flavor of Moonwalk is even better than the scent, and more notable.  Flavors from Chemdog's Sister come through, leaving the incredibly odd sensation of bleach, WD40, Lysol, and rubber immediately on the palate.  The Apollo parentage is hard to detect, but is there if one is looking.  Carrot and celery are common flavors on each toke, with softer flavors of lemon and rosemary evident as well.  Exotic fruit blossom flavors seem to float in the background, hard to grasp or put a finger on.  All in all a very interesting flavor, but soft like the aroma--not at all overwhelming.

Effects:  The aroma tells us nothing of what the experience of consuming Moonwalk entails.  The first hit induces a cerebral floating, and a background sensation that seems to imply more is coming.  Even if a user is already high, a single toke of Moonwalk can be felt and noted.  It begins to settle in, peaking perhaps a full 40 minutes or so after the last toke has been consumed, and fully finished an astonishing 4-6 hours later.  The experience begins as a fully euphoric, laughter-filled, psychedelic trip.  Subtle is the last word I would use to describe it.  It hits so hard and takes one so high up, it is really reminiscent of the first experiences one has with cannabis.  The feeling of being "like the first time" was a phenomenon reported from almost all Moonwalk consumers.  This incredibly lifted feeling becomes more psychedelic as time goes on, and yet paranoia seems to remain a minimum for such a powerful strain.  Most strains in this category can also be described as "racey" and paranoid, but this is not true of Moonwalk.  The user can feel as if they're in a video game or a trip, and yet all seems at ease.  This period of near-psychedelia in turn fades into a deep stone.  It's almost as if the consumer is so exhausted from being so high, they have no option other than meditation or a nap.  A conservative estimate of the consumers who noted this was the strongest flower they had ever consumed would be about 15%.  This included several near-decade smokers.

Overall Experience:  Moonwalk has become legendary among my personal circle with reason.  The potency is unparalleled, and the effect is one so similar to a "first time again" that it is nothing short of amazing.  Moonwalk is aptly named, as it genuinely feels as if you are nearly levitating through time and space, far removed from all things terrestrial.  The power of the Chem 3 and the soaring aspects of Apollo 11 Genius are married beautifully, and kudos of selection go to Modern Cannabist.  Such a beautiful flavor and aroma will delight the connoisseur, but could leave others wanting more in those departments.  I wish I still had my hands on this one, and am currently trying to get it back for a number of breeding projects.  Although, in all honesty, there's not much room for improvement.  Another gem from Bodhi Seeds.