Bubba Kush – PHOTO

Bubba Kush is a heavily indica hybrid that enjoys great popularity. The strain’s original Los Angeles breeder claims that while one parent was an OG Kush plant, the other was an unnamed Northern Lights phenotype brought back from Mardi Gras in New Orleans; this unnamed mother stain affectionately came to be known as “Bubba,” and has since been lost. Prior to 1998, Bubba Kush was only available as a clone, but it has since been replicated so that its seeds could be packaged and sold.  It has a high THC content, ranging from 15% to 22%.

Bubba Kush has small to medium-sized buds that have the dense, bud structure characteristic of indica varieties. The leaves are dark green and can sometimes show shades of purple, the result of anthocyanin pigments being activated by cold temperatures during the growing process. This is a very resinous strain; a coating of white trichomes covers the colorful leaves and is even visible inside when buds are broken open. The flowers have a vague aroma of coffee or cocoa, with some slight fruitiness beneath. When burnt, Bubba Kush smells more hashy and spicy, as might be expected of a Kush, with smoke that is relatively harsh and cough-inducing. Notably, this is one strain whose purple flowers do not result in a grape-like taste; the pigments that determine Bubba Kush’s color do not affect flavor. The taste is mostly dank, with some sweetness and a peppery kick on the exhale. This is a particularly pungent strain; users concerned about discretion should plan accordingly.

Bubba is relatively easy to grow and is recommended for newcomers to hemp cultivation. Stocky and bushy like most other indica varieties, its plants can be grown indoors, outside or in a greenhouse. Outdoors, the strain has the advantage of being naturally resistant to molds and other pests, but growers will have to ensure consistent sunlight and a constant daytime temperature between 72- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit. Bubba Kush grows well indoors in soil but may have a higher yield if grown in hydroponic solution. The strain flowers between 8 and 9 weeks when grown indoors and is ready for harvest outdoors in early October. Though the yield for the plants of this strain is typically lower – from 32 to 35 grams (or 1 to 1.2 ounces) per square foot – the quality of the flowers is very high. The dense buds are covered in sticky trichomes, making them valuable for curing and direct sale, as well as for the production of hash and other concentrates. Growers should be sure to properly cure the mature buds by hanging them upside down in a room that maintains 50% humidity and a consistent temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit for about a week, and then sealing the dried buds in wide-mouthed jars in a room with a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 60-65% humidity.

With a healthy fan base and immediate name recognition, Bubba Kush is a staple of the US hemp market. Solid indica genetics have crossbred into a slew of child strains like Blackberry Kush, Bubba’s Gift, and Madness.