Higher Thought Remedy x Chocolate Rain F2

Origins and Backstory:  I made this cross several years ago. Remedy is a 33:1 CBD:THC cannabis plant. I grew it next to the R4, Wu5, and some other CBD dominant plants, but Remedy was clearly superior in every way. It had excellent bag appeal and resin production, zero stretch in flower, and the aroma was intensely fruity, and noticably unique from THC dominant varietals. At the time, I was using a Chocolate Rain F2 male. A friend, @wiscy420 made the original F2 seeds from Eskobar Seed selection. I selected from these F2, and found a male who mostly smelled like bitter dark chocolate, with hints of cantaloupe and melon. He had good structure and was quick to produce buds when flipped to 11/13, so I gave him a chance to breed. The result is this well-balanced CBD/THC hybrid.

Appearance:  The weak point of this plant, the flowers are a dark green, with a structure between a spearhead and elongated fingers. After drying/curing, the pistils die back significantly, receding into barely noticeable wisps of dark red/orange. You really have to look close to even find them! The individual calyxes are huge and swollen, giving a bulging and spiky look to the buds, making each calyx appear as if it were about to burst. Flowers are also a bit leafy, but I tend to attribute this to an early frost that forced me to chop this plant down early—I imagine it could have used another 2 weeks or more. Leaves are mostly dark green with some purple accents.

Aroma:  The aroma is one of the high points of this flower. There are heavy upfront notes of fruit and dark chocolate, not unlike a chocolate bar with dried fruit in it. It strongly reminds me of Gatorade Frost Riptide Rush—I used to drink one after every Lacrosse practice in high school, but haven’t had one in years. Sniffing this jar after a cure immediately brought back memories of the beverage that I had long forgotten about. It is also very reminiscent of grape-flavored Fun-Dip, which I also used to eat as a child. For the uninitiated, it smells like artificial grape mixed with sugar. Overall, the aroma is a grapey, bitter chocolate, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, sugar-sweet, candied smell with some of the tell-tale scents from the Remedy as well—indicating CBD content. Other notes that are more mild but noticable are tea tree, eucalyptus, aloe vera, wet wipes, salt water taffy, almond paste, and maraschino cherries. This is definitely not a “dank” smelling variety with,typical notes of skunk, dirty socks, bad breath, etc., but smells amazing nonetheless. Very unique with the sugar-sweet grape, chocolate, and CBD aromas.

Flavor: Extremely robust, the flavor begins as sweet grape candy—similar to fun dip. Velvet floral/perfume aromas are in the background, and on the exhale the flavor becomes more like cantaloupe, honeydew, and whatever flavoring is used in Gatorade Frost. It is really like smoking a candy that is some strange combination of Gatorade, Grape Fun-Dip, and an assortment of melon varieties. It makes the mere smoking of this herb a real pleasure, with a fruity aftertaste eventually fading to a classical dank flavor, one that is not at all evident in the aroma. I love the flavor on this one, it is refreshingly unique, adequately nuanced, and incredibly powerful and complex. I think the intricacies of the flavor would be enough to impress any connoisseur, and is really impressive.

Effects:  The come-up is slow and steady, no immediate rushing feeling at all. It begins as a vague sense of calm, relaxation and increased well-being, and is felt in the shoulders and eyes. Many CBD/THC varieties make me release tension in my shoulders I otherwise would not have known was there, and this is no different. This is one of the few smokes that actually eases social anxiety for me as well. I tend to smoke too much of THC dominant varieties, making me quiet and shy in social situations. This cross is the opposite though, letting me relax into the moment and enjoy social interactions—a welcome change from super potent THC varietals. It is a fairly functional buzz. While relaxing, I am still able to get around the house, and I don’t get much sense of a loss of motivation, which I often get from super potent THC-dominant varieties. The effect is surprisingly long-lasting as well, going on for at least a couple hours. This is really happy, relaxed bud.

Overall Experience: I actually don’t know why strains like this are not more popular. I haven’t had it lab tested, and so I don’t know what the THC:CBD ratio might be. However, this is one of my favorite smokes, and many of my casual smoking friends commented that they would appreciate more of it on the market. They noted that they could take a couple hits or more without feeling overwhelmingly stoned, the way they would smoking potent and famous clone-only plants. The effect is all the best parts of cannabis, without getting overwhelmingly stoned or paranoid. It is relaxed, very mildly euphoric, feel-good social smoke. The flavor is nothing short of excellent, with an equally enjoyable aroma. The smell is really unique, the tell-tale Remedy aroma being extremely uncommon in cannabis. Remedy x Chocolate Rain F2 is a real pleasure to grow, smell, taste, smoke, and chill on. I will be growing more of this in the future, and hope to incorporate Remedy and other CBD varietals back into my breeding. I would consider having this as a staple on my shelf all the time.

Higher Thought Gharuwood

While both phenotypes pictured had extremely similar aromas and growth habits, this one was more resinous. The bouquet was also a bit more nuanced, and certainly more intense.

Origins and Backstory:  Back in the days when I did some higher plant numbers, I was given the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup Winning clone of Amnesia Haze. I was using a Copper Chem male at the time for pollenations, and the Amnesia along with many others were pollenated. These were some really old seeds, and I tossed a couple in my indoor garden bed, thinking they probably wouldn’t germinate. I am continually amazed by this plant, as two of the seedlings germinated and grew some extremely favorable herb—the flower being reviewed. While growing the Gharuwood, I made sure to pollenate them with some Passionfruit Dakini plants (as well.

Appearance:  These plants had a structure that was more reminiscent of their father—solid and well built, with the heft of the flowers growing conveniently and impressively at the tops. Very little larf. The color however comes from mom—the buds are an almost brilliant bright green, with pistils that die back to tiny wisps of what looks like saffron. Both females were extremely resinous as well., and really had a lovely bag appeal.

Aroma:  Overall, these smell like an alien fruit-tree incense. It smells like some exotic fruit tree in Asia that one could dry and cure to use for incense. It is not sickly sweet in its fruitiness, but is vaguely sweet the way cherrywood can be. When breaking open buds, Bubbleicious gum and cotton candy come to mind, as does agarwood and aloeswood. There is some other sweet-but-sour note in there too, a cross of a lemon skittle and rotten lime.In the background, one can smell papaya and mango among other tropical fruits I cannot name. The has an exotic woody/incense aroma that is captivating and really attractive—but not what most American lovers of kush and “gas” are after. I really like this one, and find Chemnesia’s aroma to be almost endlessly intriguing, inviting me to more or less keep my nose in the jar.

Flavor: Many of the candied, sweet, and fruity notes are absent from the smoke—but I would not say lost. The smoke is extremely smooth, intensely floral and woody, with the incense-like notes in the aroma most prominent. If there is some cosmic and otherworldly temple where aliens burn incense, this is it. It is mildly spicy but still very botanical. This makes for a deeply complex smoke, one that is almost addictive in itself. It makes me fantasize about possible culinary endeavors using the flavor of the vapor or smoke from this strain. One of the most unique flavors I have enjoyed in years.

Effects:  While really a creeper, the first leg of the Chemnesia experience is heady and almost psychedelic in effect. My vision is slightly altered, heart-rate speeds a bit, and the exterior world gets a little more beautiful and interesting than at baseline. The beginning come-up is definitely sensual and almost rushing in a way, but I wouldn’t say it’s paranoid. The enhanced sensuality continues throughout the duration of the stone, but moves to the background as the borderline-psychedelic rush feeling fades to a more relaxed, thoughtful, and inward-leaning state. I get really strong munchies about an hour in with this one pretty consistently. The intense euphoria is unfortunately somewhat short-lived, ending along with the craving for food, transitioning into a more thoughtful and introspective experience. It is a hybrid effect, fairly foggy and slowed down, yet mentally stimulating—it inspires one to get heavily involved in thought. About two hours in and the effect is over, with a mild but not overly intense desire for a nap.

Overall Experience:  Perhaps I’m biased, but this was my smoke of choice after the Passionfruit Dakini. It is beautiful flower, and plants are easy to grow as well as relatively easy to trim. The bag appeal is high, but the bouquet is the highlight, followed by the flavor. The effect is definitely a fun one, but it was really the exotic smell that makes me such a big fan. I’m a sucker for anything pungent, complex, and otherworldy—Gharuwood hits on all three criteria. The incense-like aroma is so exotic and uncommon, I really don’t know how to describe it other than as an alien incense. It might be bizarre, but I would call the bouquet meditative, poetic, and peaceful. It is really something to savor, just like a fine stick of incense. I like the high on this one and it has some character, but I do think it was lacking in my favorite effect of general well-being. I hope to do more breeding work in the future with this one, and will look forward to the crosses to Passionfruit Dakini.

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.

Higher Thought Passionfruit Dakini

This sample was grown outdoors without irrigation around a mile of elevation. Indoor plants exhibited similar traits, but the outdoor plants were favorable and more complete in terpene and resin content.

Origins and Backstory: I made this cross using several phenotypes of In the Pines and my favorite male from my Copper Chem selection. The parents are extremely different, so one can expect a lot of variation in the F1 generation. I germinated about 40 or so seeds and selected down to 6 by flowering time. Some plants were tested outdoor, and were easily the more impressive—see picture above. Those grown outdoor could have used another week or two of weather, but were harvested the night before a hard frost.

Appearance:  Buds are well formed and dense, obviously resinous. When freshly cured, the buds are like bright green pine-cones occasioned with purple and sinister-looking leaf. My favorite plant to smoke made more spear-like buds, while the higher yielding plants made flowers resembling grenades. both indoor and outdoor plants looked similar—mostly green, with purple accents. Every phenotype was maximally covered with trichomes.

Aroma:  Between all the phenotypes, the aroma varied heavily. My favorite plants had diverse terpene profiles that are hard to sum up shortly. They tended toward putrid but sweet, perfumey and yet almost rotting—this is real yin/yang complete cannabis. I can smell specific notes of passionfruit, vomit/bile, cotton candy, skunk spray, guava, papaya, latex, silly putty, strawberries, brake cleaner, and botanicals (think fresh greehouse). The best phenotypes had intense aromas exhibiting all of the above, while other phenotypes tended toward much more mild, aloe/teatree/baby wipe aromas, and some others still toward garlic, mango, and gasoline.

Flavor:  The flavor of the smoke is extremely rich and complex, very perfumey yet dank at the same time. Like the aroma, it is a wonderfully intriguing balance of what seem like mismatched opposites. tMore dank and funky than fruity, the flavor is like a passionfruit Chemdawg perfume a mechanic might wear. One can immediately taste the passionfruit and guava on the front of the smoke. Every toke is consistently feminine/floral/perfume-like, but the fruits and acidic tones tend to change depending on the weather. Occasionally one gets a taste of strawberry, but there is an acidity that goes with it not unlike solvents or vomit. It is almost caustic, but when coupled with the soft perfume notes, the effect is not off-putting in the slightest. It is really amazingly tasty herb, very unique and yet classic at the same time.

Effects:  This is a hybrid-like effect that can be incredibly potent. Immediately after exhaling, one begins to feel a slight tingling in the forehead, and a sensation of motion or beginnings of vertigo—yet it is light, pleasant, and euphoric. It is like a more calm version of a nicotine-fueled head rush. The immediacy and strength of the come-on lets you know this is some seriously strong herb. The effects intensify, the light-headed euphoria eventually giving way to an almost wobbly effect, where one goes about the day in a happy, silly daze. This is Alice in Wonderland herb, so strong it is close to psychedelic, but grounded in its indica leanings—it doesn’t produce paranoia, but might temporarily reduce your IQ in favor of giggles for a time.

Overall:  Passionfruit Dakini is a gorgeous, full-bodied, nose-crinkling bell ringer that will either make or break your day. This was all I wanted to smoke after this season’s harvest until it was gone. I really think its primary appeal is in its all-encompassing characteristics. The aroma is balanced between sweet candy and nasty funk, the flavor nestled between masculine mechanical notes and feminine fruits and flowers. The high is psychedelic yet devastating, euphoric yet chill. This really is the whole package. Even when a CBD varietal might have been more appropriate, I chose to smoke this one—the flavor, the head rush, the extreme dankness of it all is just too much to pass up in favor of a mellow high. When this jar was around, the only other herb that was smoked was the Deep Line Alchemy 6 right before bed. This is incredible ganja excelling in every category except yield. I made F2 seeds with this phenotype, and it is probably my favorite creation to date. I hope to stabilize this one as it is really something special.

This monstrous tree of a plant was grown from seed by @top_shelf_farms in northern California.

Bodhi/Strayfox Persian Delight aka Deep Line Alchemy #6

Origins and Backstory: A collaboration between Bodhi Seeds and Strayfox Gardenz, Persian Delight (aka Deep Line Alchemy #6) is a cross of an Iraqi female from the village of Ranya, and Bodhi’s famous 88G13HP male. The Deep Line Alchemy series is a line from Bodhi of varying landrace hashplants crossed to his 88G13HP male—a known hashplant. The Iraqi Ranya was supposedly brought back from Iraq by Strayfox’s brother, a veteran serving overseas.

Appearance:  There is no mistaking it, DLA 6 is a hashplant. Buds appear almost bleached they are so heavily coated by trichomes and gland heads. The plant puts out dense grenade tops that looked like they could harbor mold in more humid climates. She handled my Colorado room like a champ though, and her buds were completely free of mold and rot, but were uber-dense and resinous. The grenade shape, heavy resin coverage, and almost white-color make for an impressive bag or jar appeal.

Aroma:  The scent of the growing plant was fairly unimpressive right up until harvest—generically sweet, hashy, and spicy. However, after fully ripening and slow-drying, the aroma dramatically evolves for the better—a perfect example that you really can’t judge keepers until you’ve smoked them. Overall, I think a jar smells like chocolate chip scones. It is sweet but neither overly-so nor candied, spicy, vaguely smelling of baked goods and definite vanilla bean. DLA 6 smells like scones or bread, more sweet than savory, and there is a Hershey chocolate-like quality that makes me think scone. There are other less-remarkable notes of dirty feet, moth balls, tennis balls, old carpet, and the Utah desert. It gives the herb some musty characteristics that bring to mind the ancient civilization it comes from.

Flavor:  Very much like the aroma, the flavor is mild but pleasant, with emphases on spice-like hashy notes and southern biscuits. The flavor is not as sweet as the aroma, and the sense of chocolate as well as that of scone is unfortunately lost. This tastes like a high-end hashplant from some of the earlier days of cultivation. It is spicy, very hashy, and actually is unusually well-layered for a hashplant. There are a few different dimensions of spice, none of which are familiar to me from culinary endeavors, but nonetheless enjoyable. All in all, a nice selection of hashy flavors. The flavor is a bit dry, and is nice but not the strong point.

Effects:  This herb is about as stereotypical couchlock indica as you can get. She is pretty potent, with potential to knock one into a temporary coma—it’s great for end of the day relaxation, sleeping, physical pain, anxiety (only taken in small doses though), and melting face. The come-up can be a bit slow, and honestly can almost be frustrating in some ways. I smoked a bowl before a movie, and really didn’t feel much of a stone. I began to pack another, did some things quickly around my apartment, and by the time I sat down to smoke the second bowl, I was too high to take another hit. I ended up just setting the fully packed bowl down, began to watch the movie, and fell asleep very quickly. If you manage to go through the full effects without sleeping, they can last nearly all day. Once you smoke DLA6, you will move a bit slower until the next day—a mental molasses of sorts.. The stone builds up to full effect maybe 30 minutes in, and the full potency is felt. I can feel a throbbing in my face and head, and thoroughly feel put at peace in my own world. DLA6 is to be treated as any deeply stoning indica in regards to effect. Very strong, medicinal effects.

Overall:  This is a fairly unique hashplant that is novel and pleasantly surprising in some ways. The plant itself is a very easy grow, plants are reasonably vigorous with great structure and an acceptable yield. The bag appeal of finished flowers is exceptional, and I imagine this is a hash-maker’s dream of a plant. The aroma and flavor are the highlights, but the effect is almost perfect for most nightcaps. I love the chocolate scone aroma from a jar of finished flowers, and it really is a unique one to have on the shelf. I do find myself reaching for this one at the end of most nights, as the cloudy, relaxed, and extremely sleepy effect tends to overpower any previous highs or just general anxiety. All in all, Deep Line Alchemy #6 is a plant worth growing and possibly breeding with—but on its own, it won’t be taking any Cups/Titles soon.

The DLA line almost defines the “hashplant” category.

Long Valley Royal Kush x Versailles OG F2

Origins and Backstory:  This flower might have some of the richest backstory of any on my blog.  Both Long Valley Royal Kush (which can be found on the archive) and Versailles OG are seed offerings from Aficionado Seeds.  I purchased and pheno-hunted the former, while @planthoarder searched through the latter.  @Planthoarder was kind enough to gift me his 4 male plants from his package of seeds--I selected 2 of these based on structure, vigor, and most importantly aroma for pollenation.  To make a long story short, I grew all these plants out to mid-flower, and then had to in turn give them back to @planthoarder to finish and process the pollenation.  After successfully making this F1 hybrid, I passed some seeds out.  @bocobeans was a recipient of these seeds, and grew out a number of them.  I do not know how he made his selections or pollenated, but he successfully made F2 from our own F1 selection.  This flower is the sample of one of @bocobeans F2 selections.  So, where to give credit for this flower? It rests on Ras Truth/Mandelbrot of Emerald Mountain Legacy, with Mean Gene from Freeborn Selections, with Leo Stone from Aficionado Seeds, with myself, @planthoarder, and @bocobeans.  There are obviously others preceding even the aforementioned characters, but the responsibility for this creation is spread far among the cannabis community.

Appearance:  This flower is pretty apparently OG.  Her appearance is similar to that of many OG plants I know.  The floral clusters appear dense (but are in fact more dense than they look), heavily resinous, with an almost sickly puke green color to the calyxes.  Pistils are a more dull red-brown.  The floral structure is dense and halfway between pine cones and fingers.  Leaf bottoms are resin-encrusted, while the tops of untrimmed leaves are a much darker green than the surrounding flower--this is the characteristic which makes me think "OG" when I see flowers of this build.

Aroma:  The smell is probably the most unexpected aspect of this flower, and catches me off-guard every time I open the jar for a whiff or break open a nug for smoking.  On first impression, the scent is more sweet and floral than anything.  It is a mild sugary-sweetness with hints of grape, like Welch's grape or raspberry jam.  The floral notes are unlike those I typically experience in cannabis.  Bocobeans insists on the presence of the terpene geraniol, named after the flower Geranium.  I am personally not so familiar with this terpene to confidently announce its presence here, but there is an unmistakable presence of rose-like aroma.  Accompanied by the sweetness, my overall impression of this flower is that of rose water or rose syrup.  One can find rose water/syrup and other similar products in middle-easter grocery stores.  It is typically used as a subtle flavoring in desserts--it comes out really nicely here!  The flower smells vaguely of a floral candy or something.  When broken up, the buds reveal nuances that an open jar does not.  The aroma is more complex, with many notes that remind me of hops from my homebrewing days.  It is skunky, piney, and has the very slightest note of citrus.  While I could be incorrect, I believe it is the Cascadia hop variety that this flower reminds me of.  I will also note that while the aroma from an open jar seems relatively mild, my hands absolutely stink of super heady, skunky herb for hours after breaking up some nugs.  

Flavor:  The flavor of this Rosy plant isn't as rosy or floral when smoked.  When combusted, this flower definitely leans toward the Cascadia-hop and skunk side of things, almost like a fruity or citrus-heavy IPA beer.  It is heavy pine, with a definite and bright fruitiness--citrus as well as other understated fruits.  It is sweet, but not nearly as sweet as the aroma would imply.  While rose and geranium do not take the forefront, there is a strange floral note that is noticeable toward the middle/backend.  While the flavor is enjoyable and hits several different aspects (floral, sweet, spicy, skunky, herbal), it is not as awesome as the bouquet--it is fairly complex but not incredibly original.

Effects:  This flower settles in slowly and gently, simultaneously in both body and mind.  The first noticeable element is relaxation and a sense of being at ease.  My breathing rhythm seems to slow as does my heart rate, and my thoughts begin to move inward.  This herb is more inner than outer, more mellow/relaxing than exciting or inspiring.  Perhaps it is just the day, but generally when I smoke in the evenings, I'm inspired to visit a creative project that I have been neglecting.  Today smoking this flower, I feel content with the day's work and am fine to retire into recreational pursuits and relaxation.  It is a good feeling of being content and satiated, but this is not the flower to smoke when looking for inspiration or euphoria.  For such indica-like effects, this flower is pretty functional.  It doesn't give the user that feeling of alien paranoia and of being watched in public.  The full strength creeps over time, and ends up being a warm cocoon of chilled out vibes.  I do not withdraw after heavy use of this variety, the same way I would with a pure OG--sometimes, today's designer strains are so powerful I just want to retreat to the comfort of my bed and watch a movie. 

Overall:  This cultivar looks like a classic OG cut, but the aroma tells a completely different story.  The bouquet reminds me of roses, grape jam, and a citrus india pale ale, heavy on floral, hop-like, and skunky notes.  These two factors really give the flower a lovely bag appeal, the buyer knowing they're in for a good time.  The flavor is certainly enjoyable and hits several different notes.  I particularly appreciate the brightness, and how similar to hops this variety is--if the reader doesn't know, hops and cannabis are very closely related.  It actually surprises me that I do not pick up more hop-like aromas in the vast array of plants I encounter.  I digress.....this phenotype is really not lacking in any category.  Her best attribute is definitely her smell, and I would say her weakest trait is maybe her effect.  While not lacking in potency, the character is just not my favorite cup of tea.  I prefer cultivars that lean more toward the extremes, either geared toward soaring cerebral sensations or debilitating paralysis and munchies.  Since this one sort of sits in the middle of most of the effects, it doesn't really stand out to me.  I will be really curious how the extracts of this varietal turn out--a cut with commercial potential.

Heavyweight Seeds Superb OG

Origins and Backstory:  This sample of beyond-organic cannabis was grown indoor by the same grower of the last series of flowers.  The attention paid to these plants is amazing.  The description given by the seed company is pretty sparse, and really doesn't reveal much about this varietal other than it has roots in OG Kush genetics.  Superb OG is apparently some kind of OG cross or inbred line.  I don't know much about the cultivar, but it was certainly grown superbly.

Appearance:  The buds are fully developed, very dense, and highly resinous.  The abundance of still-intact resin glands give the flowers a platinum glow.  Undersides of untrimmed leaves are accented with purple, while the calyxes are a classic dark green.  This amalgamates to a diverse array of colors decorating the classically-beautiful cannabis flower.

Aroma: The bouquet is surprisingly a bit mild, but there is an element that conveys sheer potency.  Overall the aroma is like a slightly sour or diesely lemon flavored sugar cookie--not an uncommon trait in descendants of OG Kush and Chemdawg.  However, there is an aroma present in certain varietals that can only be described as "raw."  It is like some raw chemical or industrial product--however, unlike most other astringent tones in cannabis, the "rawness" is very subtle.  It is like a giant vat of ultra-diluted bleach solution, garnished with the most slender lemon slice.  It is similar in character to Chem 34 from Greenpoint Seeds--the sheer resin content seems to be the culprit responsible for this subtlety.  

Flavor:  The flavor is a bit more impressive and less subtle than the aroma--a reversal of what is typical.  It is consistently reminiscent of lemon pledge with industrial/chemical undertones of latex, mild rubber, and just a hint of diesel.  All of the flavors present are nothing unheard of; anyone who has imbibed in the OG/Chem/Diesel genetics will have encountered these flavors before.  They are nonetheless enjoyable, and Superb OG seems to put an emphasis on sweet lemon and latex.  

Effects: Superb OG shines in her potency and effect.  Just one or two hits is enough to make me socially awkward and start paying more attention to my inner world.  You can really go deep with this one, for better and for worse.  Her effect is very much felt in the head, but it is so perception-warping that interfacing with the body itself becomes a bit awkward.  I am a lifelong athlete, but after smoking this weed I could barley walk around much less conduct myself around people.  The body almost feels like a foreign entity you are obligated to deal with after smoking Superb OG.  There is also a corporeal numbness which grows over time, creeping into full effect about 20-30 minutes after smoking.  Many extremely potent strains are "creepers," describing the creeping effect of the stone which is not actualized until long after smoking--Superb OG is a great example of this, and she can be devastating over time.

Overall:  Superb OG is a gorgeous cultivar, exhibiting top tier resin production, density, and above-average coloration.  Her aroma and flavor are enjoyable, but I do not anticipate the terpene profile winning any contests soon.  However, the potency of Superb OG is remarkable.  She is stronger than some of the clone-only OGs, and the reality-warping effect remind me of Romulan on a speed-steroid cocktail.  The effect oscillates between heady psychedelia and being completely grounded in one's body.  It is really a bit bizarre, but also very enjoyable.  While overdoing it is all-too-easy, Superb OG is a fun ride--many other uber potent varieties are not so fun after overindulging.  I generally do not hold high expectations for unknown seed companies, much less ones putting out generic OGs with no credible background.  However, this flower smokes really well.  The flavor and bag appeal are above-average, while she truly shines in her ability to blast you into outer space, suit intact.  And it should go without saying by now, but bravo to the four-mile cultivator on this specimen.

Buddha Seeds Buddha OG Kush

Origins and Backstory:  I am not familiar with Buddha Seeds and their varieties in general.  However, this beautiful flower is from the same grower that has brought me the other recent organic offerings, and I am not about to turn down cannabis this exquisite!  By the breeder's report, this flower is the result of a cross of a "unnamed Californian OG Kush" and a reversed Pre 98 Bubba Kush clone.  I believe the grower only germinated a single seed.

Appearance:  These floral clusters are tightly packed, and heavily frosted.  Pistils range from whitish to mellow-fire-orange.  The green calyxes and slightly-tinged purple leaves give the flowers an overall platinum-blue-green appearance that is fairly striking.  The structure of the flowers are dense but finger-like as opposed to a Christmas-tree shape.  Overall beautiful looking flowers, but nothing too stand-out besides the seeming blue-platinum sheen.

Aroma: The aroma is fairly rich and complex, but most striking and immediate are the uncanny aromas of lemon pledge and Lysol.  It is really bizarre how accurately these flowers smell like these cleaning products, and it certainly makes one wonder at the awe of nature.  The second notes I notice are skunk and garlic-onion, almost like a homeless person who has been eating Indian food.   More subtly, tones of industrial manufacturing make their way through the bouquet.  This scent is a combination of freshly-formed plastic, latex, rubber, and industrial petroleum products.  I want to add a caveat to this--most OG Kush is heavily fuel/gasoline smelling, and the oil/petroleum notes have a strong emphasis.  This flower really does not have these signature OG notes, and the only thing I'd categorize as "OG" about this sample is the lemon pledge/lysol.  Really though, it is more reminiscent of Lemon Diesel than an OG.

Flavor:  The smoke loses some of the grunge of the aroma, and picks up some serious sweetness.  The flavor is overall is like a lemon pledge pound cake served on a latex glove.  It is really weird, and really awesome. Each specific note comes through distinctly, and yet they all blend into a single experience that changes throughout a bowl.  Some hits lean more lemon cake, while others tend more toward sweet onion and melted latex.  Unfortunately, there is not much lingering on the palate afterward--typically OGs coat the mouth in a skunky and tangy fuel-like sensation.  Definitely above average.

Effects:  Immediately felt behind the eyes and in the body, this smoke is relaxing and mellowing at first.  I instantly feel my thoughts start to loosen up and some of my daily stress melt away as my spine slinks back a bit.  Buddha Kush comes on in the forehead and brow, giving the instant effects of feeling like a pleasantly-content Neanderthal.  It is a bit like Headband in the sense that the user feels as if they are wearing a hat or--headband.  The potency is comparable to a diesel, headband, or OG--this flower is super potent, and just a few hits had me sweating in paranoia as I attempted to decipher my Swiss landlady's passive-aggressive communication style--of course she would drop in while I'm doing this review.  Overall the effect is really powerful, with both euphoric and relaxing elements.  This is an all-around pleaser, and I ended up having a blast endeavoring in writing, some guitar playing, and conversation with a friend.  I seemed a bit more enthusiastic, almost giddy in all of the above activities.

Overall:  I tend to smoke varietals from seed companies I've never heard of with some skepticism, but this sample was pretty impressive.  I attribute this more to my friend's growing technique than genetics, but certainly genetics were not a limiting factor here.  Buddha OG Kush (or Buddha OG?  I believe the name has changed since my friend acquired his seeds) is best in the flavor department in my opinion, with the effect following behind.  The aroma was interesting, but there was nothing novel about it.  I imagine a real winner could be found if someone hunted a full pack of these seeds--there was enough complexity in the bouquet to promise more potential deeper in the genetic line.  Buddha OG is an overall winner, probably a good settle-in-after-work staple.  However, this strain will do nothing for growers after exotics, and offers nothing innovative to the cannabis gene pool.

Bodhi Seeds Silver Mountain (Outdoor)

Origins and Backstory:  From Bodhi Seeds, this variety is a cross of Super Silver Haze and Appalachia.  Appalachia is in turn a cross of Green Crack and Tres Dawg.  My friend grew this plant from seed at 7500' in the Colorado mountains.  This plant was resilient to weather, pests (including squirrel and bear, which did destroy other plants), and other harsh environmental factors.  This is the same grower of the Blueberry, Super Skunk, Cannalope Haze, and AK-47 featured on this blog.  He grows beyond organically and the quality of his flowers are always impressive.

Appearance:  These flowers fooled me, and I thought they were indoor on inspection.  Side-by-side with other flowers grown under identical conditions revealed the ability for Silver Mountain to thrive in outdoor environment.  I could immediately tell all the other flowers my friend showed me were outdoor, but these beautiful lime-green nuggets were so sparkly and bright that they retained a "museum quality" to their appearance.  Seriously impressive.

Aroma: The bouquet of this phenotype of Silver Mountain leans heavily to the Super Silver Haze side of things.  For those unfamiliar with SSH, the Dutch cultivar is unbelievably sweet.  It has spicy as well as floral elements, and an overall velveteen character that reminds me of high-altitude Colorado summer lichens and mosses.  The aroma is seriously compelling, and I love huffing the jar of this one.  It's is sweet, soft, fruity, alien, with grungy notes of garlic and roasted vedalia onion.  The bizarre combination flirts with the line of body odor.  I hate to exhaust my supply, just because the smell will no longer be available!  There is also a hint of tropical fruit and cantaloupe in addition to the lemon-lime-sprite.  A bit metallic as well--guava?  All in all, a strong point.

Flavor:  The velvety, and sweet-fruity aspects of the aroma translate well to flavor.  While very tasty, it is not quite as nuanced as the aroma.  This is somewhat typical, and it is really the exception when a flower tastes as good as it smells.  It is impressive with Silver Mountain how well the metallic fruit flavor and summer-lichen-velvet notes translate to flavor however, and it is certainly an enjoyable smoke.  Some of the fruit makes it through to the palate as well, leaning toward lemon citrus and melon.

Effects:  Silver Mountain is euphoric and super active, ideal for hiking--or perhaps that's a psychological effect from the name.  The smoke is uplifting, enjoyable, happy, and really pretty blissful when coupled with a sunny day and some skin exposure.  However, there is a "warm blanket" effect that sets in later and takes some pep out of my step.  Silver Mountain seems to be very uppity without raciness, paranoia, or a feeling of being overwhelmed--an amazing and rare trait to be cherished.  Mellow smoke, but the intensity is still satisfying.  The ability of this weed to pick you up without letting you down too hard, and without risking social anxiety/paranoia is super impressive

Overall:  Another instant hit from Bodhi, Silver Mountain is a versatile sativa-dominant variety that pleases all around.  Her flowers really are unbelievably beautiful, faring exceptionally well in a harsh mountain environment.  The aroma of Silver Mountain is something to be beheld, and I have made sure to do so often.  The flavor is enjoyable, but it is the bouquet and effect of Silver Mountain that really make her shine.  She is uplifting and inspiring, whether in creative endeavors or pursuits of physical activity.  Maybe most impressively, she manages to do so without being too racy like many descendants of Haze.  Another winner from Bodhi, no surprise.  Silver Mountain nears the acme of the "fruity sativa" category.

DJ Short '90s Blueberry (Outdoor)

Origins and Backstory:  This sample of DJ Short's Blueberry was gifted to me by a friend who grew it outdoors, organically, between 7,000 and 8,000 ft. altitude.  The cut is a local clone that is well passed around, and has been all over Colorado since the 90s by most reports.  DJ Short, the breeder, reports that his Blueberry selection is an inbred line of three landrace heirlooms:  an Afghan, Purple Thai, and Oaxacan sativa.  

Appearance:  These bulbous flowers are a darker green due to their outdoor, sun-beaten environment.  However, they are well-formed with slightly above-average resin content.  Purple and blue hues accent the larger-than-normal calyxes, due in part to genetics and also to the cool fall temperatures.   I would say these buds look almost like good commercial outdoor.

Aroma: The aroma of these flowers is really intriguing..  As the name would suggest, there is a definitive blueberry aroma that wafts out of a jar.  Grown indoors, this same cutting smells like blueberry muffins.  However, it expresses itself differently in the outdoor environment.  This sample has a distinct spiciness to it, like that of an old rug or hashish.  Spicy, musty, blueberry notes, and a distinctly-other fruit note are at the forefront, and call for a 2nd and 3rd inhalation from a bag or jar.  It is somewhat reminiscent of Flo, another of DJ Short's famous clones.  The bouquet wafting off a jar is fruity, jammy, floral, and herbal, and is like some bizarrely-fruity-but-floral herbal tea.

Flavor:  Just as complex and intriguing as the aroma, the flavor of DJ Short's Blueberry is the highlight.  It is indeed like a smokable fruit-flavored floral-herbal tea, with many different notes contributing to an overall complex flavor.  There's a lot going on here, and the specifically blue and blackberry like flavors are really a novel experience to be beheld.  It is a wonder such a flavor profile found its way into a cannabis plant, and is really a testament to the sourcing, selection, and breeding done by DJ Short as well as the quality of care given by the grower.  I have genuinely had many herbal teas that were not as enjoyable to drink as this flower was to smoke.  

Effects:  Blueberry is happy and feel-good, but mellow and laid-back.  While some euphoric sensations occur, Blueberry is more of a relaxing end-of-day variety than a flower to be enjoyed before or during activities.  Blueberry consistently puts me in a drowsy dreamspace that I imagine could be quite a useful effect for certain ailments.  In my own experience, this varietal makes me lazy and unproductive, perfectly content with the way things are.  This is a double-edged sword.

Overall Experience: DJ Short's Blueberry is a classical legend, etched in stone among the unofficial "Strain Hall of Fame."  Her aroma and flavor are unparalleled in their uniqueness and potency, genuinely capturing aromas of blueberry, blackberry, and other berry flavors that are a real delight to experience in cannabis.  The effect is somewhat unremarkable, the potency hovering around average, and the character of the effects leaning toward a euphoric but otherwise generic indica effect.  This is a great variety to smoke at the end of the day to reflect on things, or with casual and comfortable company.  

Rare Dankness Moonshine Haze

Origins and Backstory:  This sample of Rare Dankness's cup-winning Moonshine Haze was gifted to me by a very talented and dedicated grower.  It was grown indoors organically, and then cured for three years in ideal conditions.  It has the same sort of paled-aesthetic as outdoor-grown cannabis, but is every bit as potent and intense as fresh flower.  A prolonged curing process like this one completely removes chlorophyll (and other components) that tend to make the smoke harsh.  The result is an unbelievably smooth and tasty smoke.  Moonshine Haze is a cross of Amnesia Haze and Neville's Wreck.

Appearance:  The bag appeal on this sample would be underwhelming for most.  The grower and I agreed on this--however, we also both agreed that those in the know would be able to examine this flower and immediately realize how high quality it really is.  Resin content is relatively high, and buds are well-developed elongated fingers with long, wispy pistils. The actual flowers themselves are not airy at all, but have a surprising and satisfying density. Obviously, this sample is a much darker green than normal, because all of the green plant matter has ended up evacuating through the long process of curing.  This lack of vibrancy is both what makes it appealing to smokers who have experienced long-cured cannabis before, and makes it unappealing to those who have not, and associate dark-colored flower with poor quality import cannabis.

Aroma: This cannabis reminds me of Amsterdam coffee shops.  The aroma is that of Hazes, but has more than enough depth to stand out from the crowd.  It is effervescent and bubbly, with definitive lemon and lime notes that bring Sprite and 7up to mind.  There is a distinct spiciness in the bouquet as well, sandalwood and other hard-to-describe elements that are almost like juniper berries or gin.  Once all is said and done, the incredibly distinguished aroma comes out smelling like a country club's golf locker room.  It really is not too far off from smelling like your grandfather's classy and overly-spicy cologne, and I mean that in the best of ways.  To capture such a combination of scents in cannabis is a huge part of what makes the plant so special.

Flavor:   The flavor of Moonshine is absolutely a highlight.  As nuanced as the aroma, the flavor possesses sweet, spicy, floral, herbal, and fruity characters.  The sprite-like lemon/lime effervescence comes on strongly, layered with the sweet-spicy sandalwood quality associated with hazes.  The flavor is strong and dangerously good, keeping the hits going without allowing the effects to fully set in.  The elements of aftershave, cologne, shaving cream, and other bizarre notes that conjure up locker room memories are present in the flavor as well.  This combination of factors makes for a uniquely tasty and distinguished flavor, an experience I would venture to guess is entirely unavailable outside of smoking cannabis.

Effects:  Moonshine Haze is well renowned for her effects, a classic-yet-contemporary representation of Dutch Haze cultivars.  She is zippy, heart-pounding, racy, and euphoric.  Moonshine can be lighthearted and uplifting in small doses, perfect for a conversation and walk in the park on a sunny day.  However, she has the potential to be terrifying in larger doses.  With increased toking, odds for symptoms of paranoia and social anxiety go up.  Visual acuity seems more intense as colors become more vibrant.  Thoughts swirl around ones head making social situations difficult to navigate with focus and calm.  The effects can be long lasting, especially for a sativa.  The come down is almost like a terrifying roller coaster ride.  Even if you were miserably paranoid, you will want to get back in line and hit the ride all over again.  Scary fun!

Overall Experience:   Moonshine Haze is a fun remix of old Dutch Haze genetics.  I have sampled several phenotypes with aroma varying from granny smith apples to strawberries to lemon-lime.  There is a common denominator of sweet-spicy signature pine and haze, and the buzz is always potent and uplifting.  It is basically a universal factor with delicious sativas that you will inevitably smoke more than is ideal for your mental well-being; Moonshine Haze is no exception.  There is no shortage of reasons to imbibe in Moonshine Haze when it's on the shelf, and it is almost always one of the quickest of my jars to empty out.  Killer job by the grower on this euphoric and unbelievably complex flower.