The most sought-after clones. (Part 2)

Headband (Aka Original Diesel, Aka Daywrecker)

This strain was the base for a wave of élite clones, such as East Coast Sour Diesel (discussed in the previous article). As is usual in this type of plants, the origin is somewhat debated, most of us think Headband is a cross between Chemdawg and (MassSuper Skunk) x Northern Light by Sensi Seeds. What is curious about this strain is that it gave rise to a number of selections, for instance the Sour saga starts from here. Similarly, the Diesel saga starts from Chemdawg, but the history of Diesel is much longer and more complex and will be discussed in another article. For those who manage to obtain a Headband clone, otherwise known as Daywrecker or Original Diesel, fun is ensured for quite a while.

As you grow it, you will realise it is a unique plant. Root formation is not that complex. When the plants generates a couple of decent roots and starts absorbing light and nutrients, be ready to enjoy the show. It has a strong aromatic character and a penetrating smell. Its vegetable cycle will surprise you. The plant develops without any issues. We tried to grow it both on an earth substrate and in an aeroponic system. In both cases, growth was surprising, much more so in aeroponics under both LED and sodium lamps.

It is tall and with good branches, full of flowers on their tips, and buds spreading a Diesel smell. Make sure you train branches for them not to slip out of control, especially in hydroponics and aeroponics. If you have a typical 2-metre high grow tent with an integrated aeroponic system, you can safely bend branches, or they will come into contact with the lamps and be scorched. Considering the huge number of flowers and resin quantity during the flowering phase, you can imagine what the final yield could be. Many friends of mine were shocked, when they saw the resin produced by this monster in aeroponics.

Its best quality, however, is its effect. I will tell you a small anecdote. A few months ago I received bad news, nothing serious or life-threatening, but it was bad enough to affect my mood for a number of weeks, as usually happens to all of us from time to time. At that time, the first buds of this nice lady were ripe enough for tasting, which was a favourable coincidence. I smoked it and I noticed a feeling of wellbeing that drove my bad mood away. This also happened the next day, so I had the curiosity to look for similar experiences of other smokers with this plant and I started reading their tasting notes. Surprisingly, I was not the only one who had experienced this depression-healing effect.

If you read those reviews, you will see that nearly all have this common denominator. Of course, not all people are equal and effects may vary. Below are other hybrids based on this clone, if you are not able to procure the original: Sour Ape (Top Shelf Seeds): Original Diesel x Cinderella 99 Sweet Diesel (Dr. Underground): Original Diesel x Sweet (only cut) Headband BX (Immortal Flowers): Original Diesel x (Original Diesel x Deep Bubba Kush)

Pre 98 Bubba Kush

This good-looking lady is in high demand among the pickiest consumers and sells well in the US dispensaries, which is why it is worth considering. It may not be among the most sought-after plants, but it is indeed a legend. Many selections based on it make it worthy of mention. Its history dates back to 1993, its name parts relate to known genetic bases used for a number of great product lines. There are many versions about the history of its origin. Most believe it is a cross between Old World Kush x the real OG Kush (Putz cut) – we will talk about the latter in another article.

No doubt, it seems that all these strains – OG Kush, Bubba Kush, Chem dawg and others – have more than one trait in common. According to another theory, the authentic Bubba Kush is a cross between OG and Bubblegum. Even so, there has been some talk about Pre 93 as a possible clone from a line as old as 30 years and then stabilised in a clear form. A few examples of these ancient lines include Deep Chunk and Pine Tar Kush by the breeder Tom Hill. As far as I am concerned, I give credit to the first theory. I will now talk about my growing experience.

Currently, this cut is still unavailable to me, but I can proudly say I had the opportunity to grow it quite a while ago. If you manage to get your hands on this legend, you will have two moral duties, i.e. grow it and create your own plants, because its offspring have a good chance to perform well. Its growth is a bit slow compared to the previously discussed clones. [caption id="attachment_8415" align="alignnone" width="500"] Pre 98 Bubba Kush[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8410" align="alignnone" width="500"] Bubba Kush[/caption] Its leaves have a broad Indica shape and tend to turn dark green.

If you rub its stem, a distinctive smell will spread rapidly. The plant branches out well, which makes propagation by cuttings easier. The best, however, comes at the end of growth. Its aroma is earthy, the plant smells like deep wet soil with notes of coffee. When you smoke it, a delicious taste will linger in your mouth. Its buds are as hard as rock. This is strange, because Pre 98 Bubba Kush grows taller than the “Bubba Kush” sold by some banks in seed form. It takes 7 weeks to ripen, although waiting until 8 is recommendable for it to be perfect. In addition to the above qualities, what makes it famous are its medical properties. It sells well in dispensaries, and it numbers among the most popular, with an effect of mental and physical muscular relaxation. In the absence of the original clone, you can try the following: Peyote Purple (Cannabiogen): a strain derived from Pre 98 Bubba Kush. Pre 98 Bubba (Cali Connection): Pre 98 Bubba Kush BX2. Schematically: Pre 98 Bubba Kush x (Pre 98 Bubba Kush x SFV OG Kush) a backcross based on the famous SFV OG Kush.

Green Crack (AKA CUSH) – Cush is written with C, not to be mistaken with Kush

Here I will talk about a clone I have so far not managed to procure. Although I have no personal experience, I will tell you something about it. I have been chasing the original for long, and for good reason, as you can imagine. This clone was first bred in the early 1990s and is today among the top strains. If you also consider there is a large quantity of seed banks offering hybrids, including some in S1 versions, then there is more than a good reason to grow it. History tells us it is a cross of a Skunk (1989) marketed by the historic Super Sativa Seed Club (SSSC) seed bank with an unknown Indica.

That cross was made by Cecil, a quite famous name in the US breeding community. The strain also came into the hands of the famous MrGreenBeans, but only in 1994 – 95 was its name “Green Crack” coined. If you look up on the web, you will discover this name was given to it by the rapper Snoop Dogg, when he first tried it. Indeed, in those days many plants were sold without names. I cannot really confirm whether this is true. But the story is told in more than one webpage.

The plant grows rapidly and, despite its largely Indica genetic origin, reports say its effect is energetic and reinvigorating, perfect for the full day. It forms dense buds with a distinctive aroma – ranging from acid to fruity/mango. What strikes me, though, is its potential as antidepressant. A state of happiness and good mood was reported in most cases, which makes it suitable for other types of medical conditions, on top of depression.

To talk about side effects, not only of this plant, I remember reading reports of anxiety episodes. For this reason, it is not suited for anyone suffering from anxiety or panic attacks. Normally, Sativas are strong, rapid and euphoric plants and their ‘electrifying’ effect causes fright, which in turn triggers the much unwanted panic effect. If this happens, my recommendation is always the same, i.e. if you have a disorder of this type and these strains are unsuited to you, do not smoke them and opt for others. But, if that is the only one you have, and you do not want to, or cannot, change your medicine, or do without it, just remember, smoke slowly, wait for a few minutes between one puff and the next.

You will end up tolerating it and, little by little, this plant will no longer be a problem to you. I can confirm this from my personal experience. At the end of my coverage of “the most sought-after clones”, I will also write an article on “marijuana and anxiety” since this is a topic worth discussing. Going back to this marvellous clone, I will continue looking for it, and I hope I will grow it with my own hands one day. I do not know if you have ever had the chance to try it. If not, you will always be left with the option of procuring it in seed form: Green Crack (Humboldt Seeds Organization) Alien Bubba Crack (Riot Seeds): Green Crack x Pre 98 Bubba Kush (two birds killed with one stone)

Grand Daddy Purple (Ken’s Cut)

This cut – introduced by Ken Estes in 2003 – is the last clone of our list of four top products. I must say I do not have it either and I have not grown it so far, but... it is on its way and I am really looking forward to it. It is a hybrid between Purple Urkle (another strain with a solid background and in high demand in Californian dispensaries) with Big Bud. I focused on Ken’s clone because – as my Californian friends also say – it is the most potent of all existing Grand Daddy Purple strains, and was obtained by backcrossing hybrids until the most potent was reached.

This Indica-dominant cross has impressive tonalities. Unsurprisingly, the famous Purple Urkle is one of its parents. Almost all strains derived from Purple Urkle tend to be dark purple. In GDP Ken´s Cut you will find dark purple hues and reddish leaves – spectacular, to say the least! It is not only a matter of colours, tasters talk about an extremely relaxing mental effect favouring the proliferation of ideas and projects. It does not cause any hangover and sharing it could be as good as sharing a smile. Medically speaking, I am really attracted by the fact that, in all reports I read and based on the information I received from friends using it in the USA, mention is invariably made of its anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving properties, so it is particularly suited to medical users.

As said previously, if you already have your clone, because you are lucky enough to live in the USA and have a dispensary, such as the Dark Heart Nursery, close to you, then your life will be easier. Otherwise, you can try one of these: Original Grand Daddy Purple (Grand Daddy Purple Seeds): Grand Daddy Purple (regular seeds) Granddaddy Purple(Blimburn Seeds) Alright my friends, that is all for the time being. As you may have noticed, I only mentioned cuts from North America. In the next issue, we will move on to the four most sought-after strains in Europe, where there is a great potential and a large quantity of clones.

Of course, I will not be able to list or discuss them all, as there are really many and some of them, such as G13, are pure myths. It would take me years to number them all. I hope you liked this second part and I invite you to start your own search for your favourite. The most talked-about cuts are not always the best. Sooner or later, they will be overcome by others. That is why I encourage you to make your own selection, so as to mark your name in the history of cannabis and create your own élite clone. A warm hug to all of you, my dear readers. Alfred, Dr Underground