The A - Z of Old and New School

AK-47

One of the most famous household names when it comes to Cannabis plants. The old school AK-47 which originated in Amsterdam is a cross of Columbian, Mexican, Thai & Afghani genetics. A sativa dominant strain that still packs a real couch-lock punch. The old school AK-47 was known for its plum berry taste and the sativa dominant yields. Created in 1992 by Serious Seeds, this strain has won many awards in Amsterdam for its high THC levels at the time. 

Blue Dream

This strain is hugely popular in America and there is a sky high demand for this strain. There are many reasons why growers love this Blueberry x Silver Haze cross, as the plants grow very easily, very large and produce large haze like buds with a Blueberry structure. The taste is very similar to a good UK Blueberry with a deeper after taste. Considered a very easy strain to grow and a real cash cropper, you will see why it has become a huge name in the states. If you love the real UK Blueberry, then try this strain and you will fall in love with this one also.

California Orange

The name of this strain originates in California and is known as a complex mix of indica and sativa genetics. The California Orange became famous and popular on the east coast as it was a fruity zesty smoke with a clear balanced high. Not the strongest flowers that can be smoked and with THC testing around 12%, this strain is ideal for a breeding project or for the smoker who prefers clarity. Known locally as Cali O and C.O.B, this stain found its way to Amsterdam and was worked on by Dutch Passion. Available on coffeeshop menus as Orange Bud, it was also widely popular amongst locals and tourists. [caption id="attachment_4925" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo by Dutch Passion[/caption]

Durban Poison

A pure sativa from South Africa that was crossed with the Florida O.G to create the Girl Scout Cookies. Known for its powerful racy cerebral high, this strain is similar to Power Plant in the sense of the land race. A very sweet strain which grows purple as she flowers and can take up to 9 weeks to fully finish. 

East Coast Sour Diesel

Without a doubt, the most googled strain on the planet today, whilst there is so much mystery about it. To keep it simple, Sour Diesel was taken to the East Coast and kept there as their version of what was the highest of high grades. The original still exists and with many of the newest Kush strains testing at 25% THC or more having Sour Diesel in. The reason why the strain became Sour Diesel is because the demand was so high that it would actually ruin friendships and became known as Sour Diesel by the people who were growing the flowers.

Fireball O.G

A certain phenotype of the San Fernando Valley O.G that has made its way into the hands of American breeders. The Fireball O.G gets its name from the pistils growing a dark red color giving this strain a fiery appearance. This was originally a clone only strain and was made into feminized seeds. Tested at over 23%, this is considered a powerhouse pheno and when crossed with The White created White Fire O.G.

Girl Scout Cookies

Another huge name in America and the rise of Cookies has become a big brand. Girl Scout Cookies is a cross of Florida O.G x Durban Poison F1 and really made the scene in a big way thanks to Berner from SF. The Cookies has a kushy and skunky aroma to it that really hits you in the face, when you open a jar of these purple and green glistening buds. The Cookies will yield heavy for a Kush strain and is becoming everyone's favorite strain who has tried it. Hybrids that have come from Cookies are Cherry Pie and Chem Cookies. This strain has been tested over 28% THC and is sweeping cups across America.

Hindu Kush

Originally taken as seed from the Hindu Kush region of the Pakistan Mountains, Sensi Seeds released this strain on their catalogue over 20 years ago. The Hindu Kush landrace is a smaller sticky pungent strain which can have sweetness to the flowers. Flowering time should take around 50 days and the yields are impressive considering the genetics are pure indica. One of the building blocks of all of the Kushes out today and enjoyed by the old school connoisseur and the modern day smoker. 

Ice

For those who love the intensity and old school earthy flavors, Ice is a cross of Skunk, Afghani and Northern Lights that grows white all over and has a sweaty petrol skunky aroma. Cannabis cup winner and a very reliable and sturdy strain, Ice represents the best of the old school in one uniform knockout plant. Nirvana selected winning phenos to breed with from thousands of plants to perfect this three way hybrid. It is called Ice because it looks so frosty and white, that nearly all of the plant is covered in trichomes and resin. 

Jack Herrer

The legend and pioneer of one of the most famous strains ever. Jack Herrer crossed Haze, Northern Lights and Skunk back in the mid 90s to create a spicy pine mango flavoured hybrid that has won numerous awards. This is a sativa dominant strain is perfect for anyone who enjoys a creative energetic soaring high. Jack worked on this strain and in the 1990’s created a phenotype that was considered a 55% indica hybrid. When growing this strain you can expect several phenotypes and they will usually lean to the haze side but either way it is high grade cannabis, from a true master.

Kosher Kush

Winner of the Indica Cup in 2010 and 2011, DNA Genetics created this Kush and it is well known for its superior fruity dank after taste and wonderful stone. When growing this strain the plant is very aromatic and will express the true Los Angeles genetics, with testing at 29% THC, this is considered a sleeper for even the more professional smoker. A well grown Kosher Kush can be found on coffee shop menus for around 15 euros a gram. This is certainly one of the most aromatic Kushes around so be prepared when growing this strain.

Larry O.G

A Kush hybrid of the San Fernando Valley and O.G Kush, from breeder Swerve at the Cali Connection. This Kush represent the true lemon fuel aroma and taste and has been called Lemon Larry also. Larry O.G is a strong variety but not as potent as the other O.G Kush crosses, making this strain great for day time smoking without the sleepy Kush experience.

Master Kush

Another strain that was available from Sensi Seeds in the 90s. This Kush hybrid represents the best from the Hindu Kush mountains, so the charas taste and earthy aroma are expected with this old school landrace. A quick flowering time and a great strain bred in Amsterdam, it has been available for a long time. These seeds will be some of the cheapest that Sensi Seeds offer but are quality old school genetics. You will not find that lemon fuel flavour with this line of Kush but more of an earthy deep hashy taste with a slight sweetness.

Northern Lights

One of the original strains that many older smokers are familiar with. This pure indica was known for its reliability, good yields and powerful high. This cross of Afghani and Thai landraces make for a perfect plant for those who do not have a lot of space. We would consider Northern Light as one of the pioneer strains that have allowed so many others to be created and crossed with its sturdy reliable gene pool. Home growers would grow Northern Lights in a SOG set up as this strain stayed low and was easy to work with. A good note to remember is that the Northern Lights strain can cause skin irritation when handling or rubbing against. From my personal experiences, true Northern Lights will feel like you have brushed nettles when handling it and can be responsible for itchy fingers when handling buds with Northern Lights genetics in.

O.G Kush

The O.G stands for Ocean Grown meaning it was bred somewhere in California. The original landrace seeds were taken back to the States and worked on as if they were in Amsterdam. During many crosses and pheno selection, one phenotype was considered the one and so was kept and is widely circulated on the West Coast of California. The story behind O.G Kush being Chem Dog 91 is true, however again the phenotype that was selected and kept alive will always be known locally as O.G Kush or just Kush. The smell of a true O.G Kush should smell super dank and have a pungent rotting lemon zest.

Power Plant

A South African sativa landrace that is famous for enormous yields, whilst also being a serious indoor cash cropper. Power Plant given its name because of the size and production and has an earthy peppery taste and has a real cerebral buzz. A very tough plant that can perform very well outdoors and can be very rewarding when grown indoors. Not the best tasting cannabis around but great to use as a breeder to improve the taste and keep those bumper yields.

Querkle

A cross of Purple Urkle and Space Queen, a strong grape flavour and sweet berry aroma from TGA Genetics. A heavy resin coated hybrid that flowers with thick buds covered with purple hues. When smoked this strain can be very euphoric and dreamy, whilst there is an energetic buzz to keep the smoker nicely balanced. One to relax the mind and body so ideal for someone who does not smoke everyday.

Romulan

Originating in B.C Canada, this strain is a heavy hitting narcotic indica dominant plant. It is well known for its therapeutic properties and is much sort after in the local dispensaries in America. Romulan is a cross of an Indica and White Rhino and grows small and squat, producing thick hard buds all over similar to the White Rhino. Popular for treating nerve damage, this strain can be considered high in CBD and true medical grade cannabis.

Super Silver Sour Diesel Haze

This is a strain bred by J.D from Connoisseur Genetics and is known for its hybrid vigor. Named SSSDH for short, this strain can be found on coffeeshop menus in Amsterdam and has even been found in dispensaries in America. A cross of Sour Diesel and Silver Haze that takes 77 days and will produce long thick buds that yields better than the Diesel and has a soaring powerful high that can be overwhelming to the beginner smoker.

Train Wreck

There have been some silly stories about the origin of Trainwreck and how this strain got the name. The most common is how a grower saved a plant from disaster after a train derailed and fell on the site where the plant was growing naturally. It is hard to believe and when you grow this strain, you will see why it is named trainwreck after your plants topple themselves in flower. The calyx on the trainwreck is huge compared to the average cannabis plant and for a long time Train Wreck had a real commercial buzz about it. Green House coffee shop also sell this strain on their menu for a reasonable price and it always has a good high.

Underdog O.G

The Underdog O.G is a clone only strain from the breeders at Loompa Farms. It is also known as Candy Kush due to its intense flavors and aroma. Great for its medicinal effects and pain relief whilst the smoker enjoys a happy buzzing head high. A wonderful tasting Kush that has been used in many of the high grade Kush crosses of recent years.

Violator Kush

A cross of Pakistan and Hindu Kush from Barney’s Farm, which is a short growing musky earthy plant that yields very well and produces a lot of resin. A tangy sweet after taste and powerful high that can leave you couch locked for hours. Small dense Kush buds will grow but there will be an abundance so a great strain for anyone who wants a productive Kush hybrid.

White Russian

One of the most famous white strains and the one considered to possess the power that the other white strains were lacking. Created by Serious Seeds, this strain is a rock hard producer and can be grown in any environment. The buds have a sweeter aroma to the other white strains and the earthy taste is followed by a knock out racing high and hard body stone. A cross of White Widow and AK47 that has been tested at over 22% THC. A pioneer for one of the original strongest strains around,

Yoda O.G

Another phenotype of the O.G Kush that has been crossed to become a super potent lemon fuel plant. Famous in the States and only available in clone form, it has chunky pale frosted buds with long orange hairs. The taste is well known as dank and citrus pine making this recommended as a night time smoke and another true type of medical cannabis.

Text: Stoney Tark