The Kush cannabis variety is originally native to the Hindu Kush mountain range in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. It is one of the quintessential indica marijuana varieties, from which many popular hybrids are born and other genetic crosses have been sought.
There they had been using it for hundreds of years for its medicinal and narcotic effects. It was a great discovery compared to the varieties that were already available in the West at the time, where cannabis was already being traded and genetic varieties that came from tropical countries like Colombia or Mexico and were primarily sativa. The new herb grew adapted to very cold climates and its flowering process was different.
Origin of the Kush genetic line
In the 1960s, the West was totally immersed in a constant state of economic, social and moral changes. Europe was still licking the wounds of World War II and seeking new references, values and freedoms. In the United States, especially in California, they were coming out of the Korean War when they found themselves involved in another war thousands of miles from their country with which they did not feel identified.
On the other hand, new ideas and the economy grew in parallel alongside new artistic expressions of art, literature and music. A whole set of parameters that would create the famous hippie era, where marijuana would become one of its main companions and symbols of identity to this day.
At the same time, music and other arts began to awaken great interest in the culture of exotic countries like India where the consumption of herbs and marijuana was experienced naturally and medicinal marijuana with effects of all kinds was praised.
With all this, in Amsterdam arose the so-called "The Magic Bus", where young people and artists would travel through Europe and Asia with destination to India crossing the famous Hindu Kush mountain range, which would make it legendary.
The Magic Bus: more than a legend
The famous "Magic Bus" was not a single bus, but a network of routes and vehicles that connected Europe with Asia following the ancient Silk Road. This journey, known as the "Hippie Trail", extended from London to Kathmandu, passing through Amsterdam, Istanbul, Tehran, Kabul, and finally crossing the Hindu Kush mountain range.
"We're all going on a magic bus ride" - This line from The Who perfectly captured the spirit of a generation that sought enlightenment through Asian cannabis.
The Route of Discovery
Travelers departed mainly from Amsterdam (nerve center of the European hippie movement) in Volkswagen buses decorated with psychedelic symbols. The typical journey lasted between 6-8 weeks and cost approximately $100-150 dollars of that time.
Key stops on the route:
- Istanbul, Turkey: First contact with Turkish hash varieties
- Tehran, Iran: Discovery of high-quality Persian hash
- Herat, Afghanistan: Introduction to the famous "Afghan Black"
- Kabul, Afghanistan: Center of Asian cannabis culture
- Mazar-i-Sharif: Origin of the legendary "Mazar" strains
Genetic Line of Kush varieties from Ripper Seeds
Kush expansion chronology
15th-19th centuries: Traditional use in the Hindu Kush region
1960-1965: First hippie travelers discover the varieties
1966-1970: Golden age of the "Magic Bus" and the "Hippie Trail"
1971-1975: Massive arrival of seeds to California
1976-1980: First genetic crosses in the United States
1980-1990: Development of OG Kush and iconic varieties
On the other hand, the pure Kush marijuana variety without crossing was perfect for resin extraction and hashish derivative. Native growers worked this type of cannabis plant to achieve different varieties, as they had been observing for hundreds of years, for medicinal, lucrative and commercial purposes.
As a result of all this, Americans would begin to import samples and marijuana seeds from the original crops of Kush varieties and here began one of the most interesting creations and genetic crosses of current marijuana.
With Kush hybridizations, there was a before and after for indoor crops. This genetic variety, with another type of climate resistance and growth, allowed shortening the flowering phase and produced abundant flowers, unlike the genetic lines they already had.
The Genetic Pioneers
Sam "The Skunkman" Selezny (1960s-1970s): One of the first to bring Afghan seeds to California. Developed the first controlled crossbreeding techniques between local sativas and Asian indicas.
Neville Schoenmakers (1980s): Known as "The King of Cannabis", established the first commercial seed bank in Holland. His crosses with Hindu Kush genetics laid the foundation for modern cannabis.
Brothers Grimm (1990s): Pioneers in developing stable varieties. Their experiments with Kush led to the creation of multiple genetic lines that endure today.
Kush genetic varieties at Ripper Seeds
Some of the most emblematic hybrids of the Kush genetic line are OG Kush, Amnesia Kush and Bubba Kush. This cannabis variety has a very high THC content and its effects are quite potent. Its flavor and aroma are sweet but with a wild character with touches of red fruits and forest berries, characteristic of crops in arid lands. Apart from its great medicinal qualities and effects, it has an aroma highly sought after among growers. It is very useful for crossing with strains that would have difficulties surviving the cold.
To be more specific with its characteristics, we would like to start from each of the Kush varieties we have at Ripper Seeds: Zombie Kush and Washing Machine.
ZOMBIE KUSH marijuana seeds
Zombie Kush from Ripper Seeds
In one of our first genetic research works, we have selected an old Lavender Kush clone that was pollinated by our brilliant Amnesia Kush, carrier of a high concentration of terpenes. From there a clone was selected that we baptized as "Sideral" and that we later decided to pollinate again with our Bubba Kush. It has an exquisite flavor between earthy with a citrus aroma and its effect is spectacular.
If we want to develop the full potential of Zombie Kush marijuana seeds, its indica potential, its vegetative period must be generous. With a low EC in the growth phase and in the flowering phase we can obtain amazing results.
For Kush lovers, these marijuana seeds become an essential piece. A whole delicacy with purplish tones, aroma of pine, earth and citrus, and a large amount of trichomes that cover its flowers of a very generous size. Its relaxing effect is potent and you will notice the high in a lasting way.
WASHING MACHINE marijuana seeds
Washing Machine from Ripper Seeds
Our Washing Machine creation comes from crossing the original UK Cheese clone, selected more than a decade ago by the "Exodous" collective, with a Bubba Kush clone that provides a large amount of trichomes and a very particular aroma of moist earth with sweet licorice nuances.
Even the most experienced, we must catalog its effect as very potent due to its combination of cannabinoids. Its vegetative period should not be very long since its powerful vigor causes our plant to double its height when flowering begins. Outdoors and with good substrate we will have a lush crop with a wide stem. Its flowering is very fast, between 60 and 65 days the flowers will already be at their optimal point.
This variety is especially attractive for collection with impressive bluish and purple colored flowers and its infinite white trichomes.
