Skunk #1

Strain Name: The Pure (original Skunk #1)
Breeder: Flying Dutchmen

Genetics: 75% sativa / 25% indica
Origins: Colombian x Mexican x Afghan
Flowering: 8 weeks
Outdoor Harvest: 56 days or mid- to late September

Skunk #1 is one of the first-ever commercial Cannabis hybrids. This original super strain was selected from over twenty-thousand plants and its greenhouse origins mean that Skunk can be grown indoors or out-, in nearly all climates, as it can adjust to either synthetic or natural light cycles. The optimal blend of Colombian, Mexican and Afghani genetics, Skunk #1 is a pure, true-bred strain, combining all of the best attributes of these landrace varieties. This made such genetics more stable, accessible and far easier to grow and control, in addition to the grower being able to predict elements such as effect, flavour, yield and finishing time.

It is not uncommon to recognize Skunk phenotypes in gardens from thousands of different seed labels. In fact, the strain had such an impact on the early commercial hybrid scene that, to date, most decent indoor buds in the United Kingdom are referred to as “Skunk,” even if they are of no genetic relation. The name has become synonymous with potent indoor nuggets, rather than gentler outdoor buds or weak ditch weed.

History of the Origins of Skunk #1
Before everyone could buy weed seeds online and grow their own, the international Cannabis industry was very different. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, most of the home-grown pot was from bag seed tossed in personal gardens or open fields. Everything changed when certain skilled growers became breeders, collecting cultivars and landrace varieties from around the globe and bringing them home to grow out, stabilise and hybridise. 

At around this time, several of the heaviest hitters in the scene came together to produce one of the most famous and influential strains of all time – Skunk #1. An American called Sam the Skunk Man had hand-collected seeds from many cultivars from around the world and took them to Holland in the mid-1970s, along with some new crosses, such as the Skunk #1. This sparked a union of Dutch and American efforts that revolutionised the industry and incited countless new breeding projects. 

Once in the hands of a most prodigious and adept breeder called Eddy, these carefully-collected bush seeds were grown out in various locations across the Netherlands, including massive greenhouses, allowing for the harnessing of nature's light cycles and a protected environment in which to select the most interesting genetics. By selecting from literally thousands of plants, the Skunk #1 was stabilised into the first true-bred, pure Dutch Cannabis hybrid around 1984.

From Sacred Seeds to Mar Mar to the Seed Bank and then the Flying Dutchmen, Eddy's breeding project had forever changed the weed growing game. The Skunk #1 had become the archetypal strain for specially-selected genetics that people could not only successfully grow, but also could predict the outcome, due to its stability. 

Skunk #1 Cultivation, Phenotypes and Effect
Skunk plants are easy for beginners to cultivate and are a favourite among those with limited space. Colombian genetics usually produce tall, thin, graceful plants with wide internodal spacing and grassy, haze-style buds; Mexican genes temper this tendency to stretch while maintaining the clear, spacey high indicative of landrace sativas. The long Colombian flowering period is also reduced when combined with Mexican sativa, but the Afghani father is primarily responsible for the short and stocky stature, eight-week flowering time and high-yielding attributes of the Skunk #1. 

Skunk plants are generally very sturdy, forgiving and vigorous, tending to resist stress. Central stocks are thick and strong, allowing for an impressive yield. Skunk plants can be easily grown in all types of set-ups with absolute ease and respond extremely well to removing the central cola to promote lateral branching and increased flower production. Super-cropping and topping or FIMming yield excellent results; all of this reliability and durability is due to the true-bred or pure nature of the original Skunk #1 and explains its ubiquity and longevity throughout the international Cannabis scene.

Most Skunk #1 crops can be kept short and bushy. For such a sativa-dominant strain, Skunk grows like an indica. Nodal spacing is relatively compact but allows for good air flow. Leaves are medium-sized to large yet minimal and appear golden- to medium green. Colas are bulbous, thick, heavy and super-dense, showcasing reddish to orange pistils, limited top leaves and abundant calyxes attached by myriad tiny lateral branches, one hallmark of the strain. Another clue that Skunk genetics are in hand is that one small bud of this strain “expands” after a pass through a grinder, puffing out into a full load of pungent smoke. 

The citrusy, floral flavour is offset by a spicy, heady, recognisable scent, neither of which resemble typical Afghani tones. The effect is powerful, as the body and mind are both stimulated by the seventy-five percent sativa content, which is balanced and tempered by the twenty-five percent indica content. Not a creeper, the powerful effect of the original Skunk #1 maintains a comfortable plateau throughout its lengthy duration.

Hybrids Related to Skunk #1
Until around eight to ten years ago, it would be a conservative estimate to suggest that as much as sixty percent of commercial Cannabis hybrids contained at least a little bit of Skunk #1. Some of these are combinations of Skunk #1 and Afghani, such as Super Skunk from Sensi Seed Bank, or Big Buddha's Cheese, which offers a more pungent version of the traditional smell, with heavier citrus notes and an almost acrid undertone, a result of its higher Afghani content. 

Others reveal their Skunk heritage through their flavour, appearance, scent and effect. Orange Bud is an early variety that offers a similar bud structure, taste and effect to Skunk #1, while old-school classic Warlock from Magus Genetics also has a strong Skunk heritage. 

Since an original pure Skunk was used in all original Flying Dutchmen crosses, helping to tame difficult genetics, those seeking the ease of Skunk #1 cultivation will experience similar success with Pot of Gold (Hindu Kush x Skunk #1), Dutchmen’s Royal Orange (#California Orange x Skunk #1) or Aurora B. (#Northern Lights x Skunk #1) from the legendary label.