PURPLE KUSH
Strain Type: indica
Purple Kush is a revered and extremely popular pure indica cannabis strain, prized for its vibrant, rich purple color, distinctive aroma and taste, and, most importantly, for the total body high and feelings of happiness that the flower induces. The bud’s origins are traced to breeders in Oakland, CA who crossed Hindu Kush and Afghani Purple strains to create one of the most striking looking and potent indica strains that is a favorite among both recreational and medicinal cannabis users today.
The bud’s vibrant coloring of deep purple leaves with hints of green accents, lush orange pistils, and milky white trichomes make a beautiful first impression. The appearance is triggered by exposure to cold temperatures during the flowering stage that activate the plants anthocyanin pigments which give the flower its purple color. This makes Purple Kush visually stunning and gives its buds immediate ‘bag appeal’, but this bud is so much more than just a good-looker. It’s a pure indica strain that can have THC levels ranging from 18 percent to 27 percent, delivering a sense of euphoria and calming effects that relax both the mind and body.
Lineage of Purple Kush
The Purple Kush pure indica strain was cross-bred and carefully cultivated from two legendary and potent indica strains: Afghani and Hindu Kush, and each brings distinctive qualities to produce a versatile, hardy, and visually stunning plant.
Afghani – This popular indica strain is believed to have originated in the mountains of Afghanistan and may be one of the earliest cannabis strains grown in the world. It’s identified by a sweet and earthy scent, and is valued for providing soothing and relaxing effects. It’s a hardy plant with natural resistance to insects, animals, and disease which makes it appealing as a parent strain, and in addition to Purple Kush, is found in Northern Lights, Blueberry, and other hybrid strains.
Hindu Kush – This pure indica strain is native to the regions of the Hindu Kush mountain range that runs between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The succulent, resiny buds provide a blissful, long-lasting high that lets thoughts drift to pleasant things and the body sink into a mellow, soothing full-body stone. It developed in often-harsh and varying weather conditions, making it a hardy plant with natural resistance to insects, animals, and disease which makes it appealing to outdoor growers.
Purple Kush’s lineage has played a significant role in the development of other popular strains and contributed to new hybrid strains being created, with each variant displaying its own unique characteristics and flavors.
Characteristics of Purple Kush
Purple Kush has a unique aroma and taste profile, with a pungent yet fruity smell, with hints of grape, berry, and spice. The bud delivers a smooth and rich taste experience that echoes its aroma with sweet and earthy flavors.
The chemical compounds that provide plants with their unique aromas and flavors are called terpenes. In the case of Purple Kush, four terpenes are primarily responsible for its sweet scent and relaxing effects.
- Linalool is a naturally occurring terpene found in a wide variety of plants and gives Purple Kush its floral, sweet, lavender-like scent. The terpene has potential therapeutic benefits to treat anxiety, inflammation, and provide stress relief.
- Myrcene is an abundant terpene in Purple Kush cannabis strains, providing a berry-like scent and taste and producing a soothing, calming feeling.
- Caryophyllene is a terpene that’s also found in pepper and cloves and gives the Purple Kush flower a peppery taste.
- Pinene, which you might guess from its name, lends properties to the bud that give it an invigorating pine-needle aroma. It’s a terpene that has been shown to produce anti-anxiety effects and help manage arthritis and muscle soreness
The THC and CBD content of Purple Kush plays a significant role in potential benefits and calming effects of the flower, makes it a potent cannabis choice for users who want to end their day in a happy, uplifted mood. Purple Kush is a high-THC level indica strain, with levels ranging from 18 percent to 27 percent that make it a potent choice for reducing anxiety and stress. The flower’s CBD levels are much lower, often below 1 percent which is not enough to significantly moderate the effects of the THC. However, it does work in conjunction with the THC to produce the ‘entourage effect’ that results from THC and other cannabinoids working in unison to create a fuller cannabis experience.
Purple Kush is a popular cannabis choice for both recreational and medicinal uses, and is enjoyed for its distinctive flavor and aroma for a fuller indica sensory experience.
Recreational cannabis users enjoy the Purple Kush for its full-body calming effect and both physical and mental relaxation. The flower’s body-numbing and soothing properties help reduce stress and anxiety, creating a laid-back experience that lasts for hours before the user drifts into a profoundly deep, rewarding sleep. Purple Kush can cause ‘couch lock’ so be prepared to zone out and settle in after a hectic day or busy evening.
Medicinal cannabis users enjoy Purple Kush to help for deal with temporary or chronic pain. It’s been successful treating migraines and arthritis and mental health conditions like anxiety, and nerve damage. Purple Kush has also been shown to stimulate appetite and reduce nausea, which is helpful for people undergoing treatments that affect desires for food.
Whether the intention is recreational or medicinal, it’s best to consume Purple Kush when there are no pressing obligations or evening plans other than staying in and basking in a happy high. As with all cannabis, if the strain is unfamiliar, it’s advisable to go slow and gradually increase dosages. To optimize the calming effect of Purple Kush, a relaxing environment is preferable and calming activities like listening to music or meditating enhance the entire experience.
Experiences using Purple Kush can be different for different people. Generally, if properly consumed, Purple Kush should provide a wonderful, calming experience and complete sense of contentment. However, as with any cannabis product there may be potential side effects which, in the case of Purple Kush, can be easily mitigated. Dry mouth or cottonmouth is a common side effect so it’s recommended to stay hydrated throughout use. Dry eyes are another possible reaction to Purple Kush. This condition can be remedied with eye drops. Consuming too much Purple Kush too quickly may also result in ‘couch lock’, a feeling of heaviness that makes it difficult to move. Fortunately, this feeling is usually temporary and the effects are rather mild. Creating a safe, comfortable environment before consuming can make the episode more enjoyable. Always consume in moderation and be aware of THC limitations.
Effects and Medical Benefits of Blue Dream Strain
Purple Kush provides users with a deep and powerful full-body high and a calming mental experience that makes it a popular cannabis strain for pain relief and overcoming insomnia. Users report feelings of euphoria and hours of peacefulness. Due to its strong sedative qualities. Purple Kush is an ideal end-of-the-day cannabis when staying home and finding a comfortable place on the couch tops the agenda. The bud is known for triggering the munchies, and late-night use can result in a deep and restful sleep. In addition to its relaxing effects, Purple Kush may also provide pain relief and muscle relaxation. It is often used by individuals dealing with chronic pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms.
Growing Purple Kush
Purple Kush is a fairly typical indica cannabis plant that will grow outdoors to about three feet in height, which means that to get a nice yield of buds the plant needs lots of room to spread and grow. It should be planted in a location that gets exposure to sunshine up to 18 hours of daylight during the vegetative state of the plant’s growth. It also needs an environment with low humidity, temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and light rainfall. It takes about 8 weeks until the plant is ready for harvest. Due to its heritage, Purple Kush is a hardy plan and naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and most pests. However, because the environment is so important for growing bountiful Purple Kush, many growers prefer to breed the plant in a controlled indoor environment where conditions can be easily monitored and maintained. It requires nutrient-rich, draining soil and maintaining proper pH levels is vital for healthy growth.
During the vegetive stage, the plant needs about 18 hours of light. During the flowering stage, follow a schedule of 12 hours light and 12 hours of darkness. If growing indoors, use high-quality grow lights.
Because the plants rarely grow taller than 3 feet, they respond well to the Sea of Green (SOG) growing method for growing multiple plants in one space. This method requires regular pruning, topping, and trimming to allow air flow and light between leaves to prevent mold or mildew from forming on the plant. Purple Kush usually flowers within 7 to 8 weeks, although it might take slightly longer outdoors. One last important step to bring out the lovely purple and activate the anthocyanins by exposing the plants to cold temperatures shortly before harvesting. One rule of thumb to follow is to pick the buds when the trichomes appear milky white. Growers can expect a harvest of roughly 74 grams of flower per square foot of plant.
