Historical Origin of the Kush variety

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• Today we will try to lift the fog surrounding the history of the legendary cannabis variety known by the name Kush

The disputed area of the Hindu Kush mountain range, located north of India-controlled Jammu and Kashmir, shares borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan. This region, full of long-running, unceasing conflict, is known, among other things, precisely for its historical production of cannabis and hashish. The slopes and valleys of this legendary part of the Himalayas have been producing world-class hashish for centuries.

It is precisely years, decades and ultimately centuries of careful natural and human selection of the hardiest and most resin-coated indica plants that are responsible for today's appearance of typical Kush varieties – short, robust bushes with large flowers and a huge amount of trichomes.

During the sixties and seventies of the last century, bands of adventurous “hippies“ returned from here along the so-called “Hippie Trail“ with supplies of quality seeds. As a result, the cultivation and breeding of serious Afghani, Skunk and Kush varieties subsequently took off in the USA.

Unfortunately, in 1973 the newly self-appointed president of Afghanistan, who had seized power through a bloody coup and overthrown the then (hashish-friendly) leader, bowed to pressure from the United States and declared the production and sale of hashish illegal. In 1978 this president was overthrown by the Afghan communist party, and a year later the country was already under invasion by the Soviet Union, which ignited the spark of another 30 years of conflict and bloodshed that continues to this day.

A legend called Kush

Old-school cannabis users will not hear a word against genuine Afghan hashish, and the models that arose from the original varieties from the Hindu Kush region subsequently completely transformed the whole breeding scene. Varieties with Indica genetic dominance shortened the overall time needed to mature, which ultimately made successful outdoor cultivation possible as far as Alaska.

The term “homegrown“ (grown at home), which until then had been an object of ridicule, turned into an expression full of pride.

Kush at the top of the Cannabis Cups

Many varieties of the original Kush take top places at cannabis cups every year, for example at the traditional autumn cannabis tasting festival in Amsterdam organised by High Times magazine. The quality, potency and spectrum of medicinal cannabinoids of this genetics can hardly be surpassed. While various varieties of Haze genetics regularly dominate the top places in the Sativa (Cannabis sativa) category, Kushes mercilessly rule the Indica category.

“Kush also provided the genetic basis for hugely famous varieties such as AK-47, Sensi Star or White Widow.“

Breeders today are well aware that backing a model under development with the genuine genetic heritage of the Afghan variety is a guaranteed way to impress even the most demanding reviewers and critics of medical cannabis models.

Kush, as a genetics celebrated for its excellent medicinal properties, is typical for the so-called “couch-lock“ effect, making it ideal for evening use both for insomniacs and for patients suffering, for example, from depression or anxiety. If we also take into account the intense citrus terpenes and long-lasting effect, it is clear to us that neither patients nor recreational users will forget this variety in a hurry.

We can already state almost with certainty that this variety will continue to underpin the genetic make-up of the winners of a whole range of future cannabis cups.

Kush today

Probably nowhere in the world today is Kush genetics as popular as in the southern region of California, where many modern medical cannabis dispensaries focus precisely on the widest possible range of Kush varieties. As a result, you can choose from literally hundreds of different variations. Today there are even Sativa-dominant "Kushes" on the market which carry the famous name but in reality have very little in common with genuine Kush.

Genuine, unadulterated Kush has also spread to the more northern parts of California and further into the world. Legend has it that probably the most renowned variety, OG Kush, reached California via the Lake Tahoe area, where it was bred from the no less famous variety Chemdog, which comes from the opposite coast of the USA. Whether it is true or not, the legends surrounding this type of Kush still spread and circulate throughout the cannabis community. However, let us not expect these tales to be unravelled and set straight.

Thanks to long-term crossing and the overall popularisation of the whole thing, the name Kush has lost a certain part of its original meaning. Those in the know, however, will always recognise with certainty its citrus-and-petrol note and the telling, dark, resin-coated buds. The reputation for the potency of genuine Kush cannabis has reached such an extent that last year a congressman from the US state of Illinois introduced a law that directly increases the criminal penalty for “distributing Kush“.

Now we will look at a few very popular variants of the Kush variety that we have available in the range in our e-shop.

1. Hindu Kush

• Origin: original indica genetics from the Hindu Kush mountains
• Flowering time: 6-7 weeks
• Seedbank: Sensi Seeds

Genetically pure indicas are mostly suitable for calming the mind and for patients suffering from insomnia, or simply for someone who needs to switch off and have a proper rest after a long working day. Hindu Kush from Sensi Seeds, however, is rather different and has a distinctive kick that can, on the contrary, sharpen the senses. It is therefore also suitable for patients suffering from concentration disorders.

This strongly aromatic variety also boasts a very short flowering time ranging from 6 to 7 weeks and is therefore suitable for those who need to harvest as soon as possible. Hindu Kush also differs from Californian kush in its specific, sandalwood aroma.

Breeder Ken from the seedbank Sensi Seeds describes this variety as an absolute classic among indica cannabis, one that cannot be missing from the collection of hobby growers or from the medicine cabinet of patients treating themselves with cannabis.

2. OG Kush

This variety has already reached literally mythical heights in its standing today. The folk tales of the hippies of the west coast of the United States still speak of the first breeding of seeds from the Hindu Kush region and of the subsequent development of the first OG Kush, which completely transformed the level of the home growing scene.

If this legendary genetics appeals to you, you can choose from our range of feminised OG Kush seeds from Royal Queen Seeds as well as autoflowering and CBD versions from Dinafem.

3. Purple Kush

For those who are fond of a slightly more exotic spectrum of flavonoids while wanting to retain the aspects of classic Kush, the popular Purple Kush is a suitable choice.

The autoflowering version from Buddha Seeds, available in our e-shop, is able to mature from as early as 65 days from seed and delivers a balanced, medicinal effect.

*All recommendations and described effects of medical cannabis in this article are purely indicative. Always use your own judgement and observe the legislation of your country.