7 cannabis strains that made breeding history

Like any plant, cannabis has developed into different varieties, whether through the natural crossbreeding of original varieties specific to certain regions, known as landrace, as well as through the artificial crossbreeding of breeders.

Some varieties native to a particular region have thus been crossed with varieties from elsewhere, based on the principle of breeding, creating the first hybrids and opening up almost limitless possibilities. The’History of Cannabis Strains is often complex, particularly because of the legal context surrounding cannabis.

Skunk #1

The Skunk #1 is said to originate from California via the breeders at Sacred Seeds, who selected it for its very distinct skunk-like aromas (skunk (in English).

Skunk #1 is a hybrid of several strains: Afghani, Acapulco Gold and Colombia Gold. The rapid flowering of the Afghani Indica and its impressive yield, combined with the Sativa effects of the other two strains, made it one of the first stable hybrids to hit the market.

Skunk #1 then served as the foundation for many other strains, including the Cheese or the Super Silver Haze.

Northern Lights #5

The first generation of Northern Lights was a pure Indica, the result of crosses between Afghan landraces. Grown for its potency and high yields, it was a favorite among cannabis growers of the time.

The fifth-generation Northern Lights has incorporated some features from the Thai, particularly its fruity flavors and fast-acting effects. Sensi Seeds has won several Cannabis Cups with Northern Lights #5, which has boosted their seed sales.

The NL #5 was one of the first strains that was just as easy to grow indoors as it was outdoors, and in a variety of climates, making it popular with both small-scale and large-scale growers.

Neville's Haze

The Haze first appeared in the 1960s, developed by the Haze brothers in Santa Cruz, California. The local climate allowed them to experiment with a number of crosses, including the Original Haze, which was crossed with Thai, Mexican, and Colombian strains.

A slender, tall plant that takes a long time to mature, with piney aromas, Haze made its way across the Atlantic to Amsterdam in the 1980s. The renowned breeder Neville Schoenmakers then developed a strain that was easier to grow without compromising its aromatic qualities, and sold its seeds all over the world.

OG Kush

L’OG Kush is considered one of the greats among modern strains, and dates back to the time when breeders began crossing hybrids with other hybrids in the hope of creating a magical strain.

The origins of OG Kush are unclear. It is believed to have originated in Florida and then made its way to the West Coast of the United States, where it was first known as Krippy. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, it fell into the hands of the grower JoshD, who took the genetics and distributed them all over the West Coast.

OG Kush has become a cultural icon, a staple both in rap lyrics and among growers.

Sour Diesel

Its taste and smell are what stand out first, and that’s what Sour Diesel is known for. Its diesel-like aroma belies a fast-acting, energizing high.

Probably a cross between a Chemdawg and a Super Skunk, she brought back the growers on the trail of sativas, which they often overlooked in favor of indicas, which are more prolific and grow faster. It is also known for being one of the first strains to appear on the East Coast of the United States.

Granddaddy Purple

The Granddaddy Purple, abbreviated as GDP, was brought to life by Ken Estes, a true plant enthusiast. A grower from Humboldt County is said to have given him this strain, which he helped popularize.

Known for its purple hues, GDP has played a key role in fueling the craze for purple strains. Growers also appreciate its grape-like aromas, which have been used, for example, to create the Grape Ape.

Sour Tsunami

The Sour Tsunami was the first stabilized CBD cannabis strain. Bred by Lawrence Ringo of the Southern Humboldt Seed Collective, it is the result of multiple crosses between Sour Diesel, New York City Diesel, and Ferrari (the Full breeding information here).

Its potential for CBD was discovered by chance, but it paved the way for the strains we know better today: ACDC, Cannatonic or Harlequin.