What is Kush Weed? (The Rookie's Guide)
As a freshman in the cannabis world, there's a high chance that the only times you've heard the word "kush" was in a hip-hop track.
So, there's a lot you do not understand yet. This is why this article is for you. In this article, I will be enlightening you on all you need to know about the well renowned Kush Weed.
What is Kush?
When an experienced cannabis user hears the slang "kush", the first thing that comes to mind is high-quality weed. That's what the kush strain is— a highly potent weed.
Officially, Kush is a term used to classify a family of Indica-dominant cannabis strains. Unofficially, it is the go-to term used by the western world to qualify high-quality black market cannabis.
The ancestry of the kush weed can be traced to the region known as the Hindu Kush— it was also named after this region.
The Hindu Kush region is located within the mountains between the Pakistan and Afghanistan borders. It is one of the best regions for growing native marijuana due to its soil features which is perfect for the growth of the plants and the fact that the area is in a deep valley and shielded by hillsides.
Kush weed can also be cultivated in various places around the world. The plant has adaptable characteristics that make it very resistant to unfavorable environmental elements. Due to this, it is highly preferred among growers.
Presently, over 900 varieties of weed originate from the Hindu Kush, and there is a likely chance that the original strain no is extinct.
History Of The Rise of Kush Weed
It is not uncommon to see popular strains of kush bagging the respected marijuana awards globally...
This is all thanks to the hippies who were actively involved in distributing the kush cannabis seed to western countries in the 1960s and 1970s. Countries like Turkey, America, Canada, Pakistan, India, and several European countries were stops along the route followed by these young hippies then.
Not long after these hippies concluded their adventure, the Hindu Kush region was thrown into political turmoil. This unrest which has been in effect since 1978 has since then made the export of Hindu kush seeds difficult— more reasons to thank the hippies that transported enough kush seeds to begin a " kush revolution" in the West.
Various marijuana strains have been birthed during this revolution. And these Kush strains have been at the forefront of the Indica-dominant hybrids scene. Many predict that the Hindu Kush marijuana will have a higher number of progenies than Gengis Khan.
Growing Kush Weed
The Hindu Kush is a landrace strain with a pure and undiluted genetic composition. Its genes were completely isolated before it was first cross-bred. This is why its progenies have very stable and effective indica breed features.
Like most Indica cannabis, the kush seeds are relatively more durable and can adapt to various cultivation techniques and environmental factors than the Sativa strains— They can adapt to colder, intense climatic conditions with average water consumption in somewhat arid areas.
Inexperienced farmers can try cultivating kush weeds due to their hardy disposition that makes them able to survive through a few rookie mistakes.
A lot of cannabis farmers tweaked their farming techniques to suit the growth of Hindu Kush variations. Majorly because the Kush seeds took less period for flowering than their Sativa counterparts. With these seeds, marijuana breeders were able to cultivate more cannabis and record more yield.
Impact of Kush Weed On A First Time User
Kush weed has these magical effects that made it popular among cannabis users around the world.
Like most Indica-dominant marijuana, the consumption of Kush weed will induce a sedative and calming effect in the user. They make users feel exceptional relief.
The high associated with the Kush weed is intense and it comes with a euphoric and happy feeling that does not affect your cognition— this is amazing. Imagine getting high and still retaining your mental clarity. Although, I must state that this also depends on the user's tolerance. For some, it might make them drowsy and remain fixed to their couch.
Strains of Kish weed are also used medically for their pain-relieving properties. It helps with a patient's insomnia and reduces their anxiety and depression by keeping them in a meditative state. To be on the safer side, medics recommend that kush marijuana be used in the evenings.
The intensity of these effects depends largely on the strain of kush consumed.
Overall, smoking kush weed produces effects that are smooth and rewarding.
Characteristic Features of Kush Weed
AROMA
The varieties of kush weed have different scents. Some of which include;
Floral
Pungent
Incense
Hash spice
Herbal
Citrus
Earthy
Sweet fruit
Pungent
And so many more.
APPEARANCE
Strains of Kush weed have dense-looking buds that are small in size. It can have various colors, but most times they are deep green with a subtle purple shade on the leaves. The pistols on the plant can either be orange, bronze, or rusty in color when it's time for the plant to be harvested.
FLAVOR
The flavors of various kush weed strains include:
Grape
Floral
Citrus
Earthy
Diesel
Herbaceous
Etc.
Varieties of Kush Weed
Kush weed is a common backcrossing choice for breeders because they have stabilizing features that help in hybrid genetics.
Several Indica-dominant hybrids can be traced to the Hindu Kush. Some breeders are working on producing pure Sativa Kush strains because they're rarely found in circulation.
The most popular Hindu kush strains around the world include:
Pure Kush
Critical Kush
Mickey Kush
Cali Kush
White Widow
Of all the strains of Kush weed, the closest to the landrace original Hindu weed is the OG Kush. The OG is well recognized over the world for its intricate terpene attributes as well as its highly pleasant aroma. Nowadays, newer strains of kush weed are made from backcrossing OG kush with another strain of indica or Sativa cannabis.
Bottom Line
Almost a thousand strains of cannabis owe their existence to the amazing Hindu weed. With all this information, you have all you need to lecture another rookie on the detailed characteristics of the Kush weed. Also, now you know what to expect when you consume the spicy flavored kush weed—Enjoy!
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