THC Content: 27%
Dominant Variety: Indica
Origins: California, USA
Breeding History
OG Kush is one of the top-selling cannabis strains in North America, and serves as the basis for many different varieties developed on the American west coast. Though its actual origin is shrouded in mystery, the seeds are thought to have been taken from Florida to California around 1993.
Many growers agree the OG Kush strain is descended from Chemdawg, and possibly Hindu Kush or another Kush variety. Another theory states the Chemdawg strain was mixed with a Thai-Pakistani hybrid. The origins of Chemdawg are unknown.
There is also some disagreement regarding what “OG” in OG Kush stands for. One option is “Original Ganster”, a term used to describe cannabis dealers, credited to the nineties rap group Cypress Hills. Most professional growers, however, agree the letters stand for “Ocean Grown”, a nod to the indica-dominant strain’s California roots.
The indica family of Cannabis – sometimes called Cannabis Afghanica instead – originated in the Hindu Kush region, an area of the Middle East encompassing Turkey, Morocco, and Afghanistan. If a strain has the term “Kush” in its title, it is generally an indica-dominant type (though there are exceptions, such as Northern Lights). Most indica plants have a yield of about 40 to 70 grams per plant, from buds that are dense and bulky, as opposed to the sausage-shape of sativa flowers. The calming, sedating high of indica breeds can offer aid for health issues such as insomnia and anxious thoughts.
Read More: Learn about the different types of cannabis
Physical Appearance
OG Kush presents with dark green leaves, heavy with popcorn-shaped buds that grow in tight bunches, covered thickly with resin and sprouting orange-ish red hairs (the flowers’ stigmas). OG Kush can reach close to four feet if grown in suitable conditions, an average height for indica strains. Though the plant may start out a bit leggy, it generally fills out during flowering.
Growing
OG Kush is regarded as a tricky plant to grow, due to the pruning and careful treatment recommended, and is best reserved for experienced growers; novice gardeners may find the yields quite low. If well cared for, the strain makes a good mother plant, from which many clones can be cut.
Screen of Green and super-cropping methods both produce good results with OG Kush plants. Screen of Green involves allowing as many plants as possible to receive light during the growing period by coaxing them through a screen and fastening the plants along the screen to offer light to a maximum number of budding sites. Super cropping (also called High Stress Training – HST) involves purposefully stressing the OG Kush plants, forcing them to branch more and therefore produce more budding sites.
OG Kush will flower within eight to nine weeks, and grows best indoors in controlled temperatures that mimic its ancestral growing location: the mountains of the Middle East. It is also suggested that users interested in growing OG Kush should research soil mixes, and proper lighting techniques before planting their seeds. With dedication, a very high-quality yield can be achieved with this popular strain.
Effect and Flavour
The buds of the OG Kush plant emit an earthy pine and citrus scent – a combination of pungent and sweet often described as a summer BBQ aroma. Thanks to a high THC content in the mid-20s, users will experience a heavy euphoria (from sativa content of approximately 25%) with a combination physical and mental high. The result is a relaxed and happy feeling, and often a case of couchlock, though there are those who find it energizing. Generally, however, the trance-like effect makes OG Kush a good choice for evening use. So potent it is easy to over-indulge, the strain is often described as a “1 hitter.”
