Hindu Kush is one of the original landrace strains that dates back to before cannabis became popular around the world. It is a very potent pure indica strain that is indigenous to the Hindu Kush mountains that line the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. While the original meaning of the word Kush is disputed, it is now often used just to refer to marijuana and is commonly found as part of strain names.
Seeds of Hindu Kush were brought to the U.S. in the 1960s and 70s by cannabis enthusiasts who had travelled along a route known as the “Hippie Trail”. Over time, Hindu Kush has been crossed with other strains to achieve stability and adaptation to the radically different climate from its origin. As a result, ‘pure’ Hindu Kush is not easy to come across. Nevertheless, it is nearly always a highly pure strain that is simpler and often more potent that most crossbreeds. It is known for its heavily sedative properties and its high resinous flowers. Normally Hindu Kush has a THC content of between 15% and 20%.
Hindu Kush is marked by its large, clustered green buds that are extremely sticky. The phenotypes will have shades of purple in the leaves, due to concentrations of plant pigments called anthocyanins being activated by cold weather during the vegetative stage. The flowers are very resinous, Hindu Kush was one of the first strains used to produce hash, and it is coated in silver-white trichomes. It has a simultaneously sweet and musky smell that becomes stronger when the flowers are burnt. It produces a harsh smoke that tastes slightly like pine.
The high from Hindu Kush grows slowly, it begins as a sense of physical relaxation and it progresses towards a state of mental fogginess. Users will feel a heavy sensation in their limbs and head and it often brings on a couchlock. Some people also report psychedelic effects such as visual distortions. Due to its heavy body stone, Hindu Kush is not recommended for active daytime use. However, it is good for numbing chronic pain and helping with nausea. The negative effects include dry mouth and eyes, and occasional paranoia and dizziness. Some insomniacs say that Hindu Kush is particularly helpful as it can induce sleep.
Physically, Hindu Kush is very clearly an indica plant. Indica plants are short and stocky, and Hindu Kush rarely grows to more than five foot. This means that it can be grown indoors as long as enough space is given to the wide lateral branches. Growing outdoors is tricky as the strain’s native climate is highly variable. Growers may wish to trim lower branches to allow for easy air circulation, broad fan leaves should also be trimmed to allow light to penetrate to flowering nodes along the length of the plant. When grown indoors the strain flowers in seven to ten weeks and can yield up to 1.5oz per square foot.
Hindu Kush is a true classic strain that cannabis novices and connoisseurs are sure to enjoy. It is a fantastic night time smoke, and can be enjoyed alone or in a group.
