With a name like Black Russian, you know this cannabis strain is out to make a mark. Its severely indica-leaning effects take its users to the farthest depths of calm and relaxation, imbuing both mind and body with the long lasting benefits of tranquillity and serenity. But aside from its extended effects, the strain also wows its users with a bold medley of fruit, flowers, gasoline that pierces through the taste buds and tangos with the tongue for a lingering flavor experience that seduces the senses.
Described by many as a heavy hitter, the Black Russian cannabis strain might find its place in the stash of more experienced users who fully understand the consequences of toking an unforgiving indica. In the same light, the Black Russian’s intense effects have also won the patronage of an eager audience that’s out to relieve a variety of discomforts caused by wellness issues.
The Black Russian was formed from the combination of a heavy indica and a hybrid, both of which have earned quite the reputation on the cannabis market. These parents – the calming Black Domina and the awakening White Russian – have seen their fair share of accolades and praise, thanks to their intense genetics that give both herbs distinct effects, flavors, and aromas that have enthralled most of their audiences.
The Black Domina is the daughter of four different herbs, combining the exemplary genetics of its parentage to produce a fast-flowering cannabis strain that delivers strong indica effects. With chemistry from the Northern Lights, Ortega, Hash Plant, and the Afghani landrace, the Black Domina is a formidable herb that has piqued the interested of connoisseurs and discriminating users with its punchy flavor and blissful indica effects.
On the other hand, the White Russian – also called the White Siberian – is a sativa-biased hybrid that combines chemistry from the White Widow and the AK-47. The ultra-fragrant strain is highly coveted for its delectable fruit and skunk aroma that comes hand in hand with lively energy giving effects that clarifies the mind. For these reasons, it comes as no surprise that the White Russian was once crowned ‘Best Overall’ in the 1996 High Times Cannabis Cup.
The Black Russian gets its name from its parents, no doubt, but also because of the fact that the herb turns from green to purple during the flowering phase of its growth. The dramatic colors remain well-represented throughout the drying and curing phase, with the nugs maintaining their intense dark colors even in the bag. Needless to say, the interesting colorway makes the Black stand out in a store shelf line-up, giving it unprecedented bag appeal next to even some of the most highly saturated strains.
If it does manage to catch your attention with its deep purple leaves, then you should find that the aromatic encounter is just as alluring. The clash of citrus, tropical fruit, and gasoline collide and ride into the nostrils, shooting through to clarify your sinuses and take a hold of your senses. The long-lasting fragrance lingers in the olfactories well after you’ve taken a whiff, lending clue to the kind of staying power that the strain’s chemistry brandishes.
That initial toke will send thick clouds of citrus flavored smoke rushing through your mouth, throat, and lungs. The tail end drags through the soft tissues with the abrasive texture of gasoline, inducing a mild coughing fit for those with slightly more experience. For the beginners, the abrasive feel might be more than enough to rouse a violent coughing episode. Fortunately, the exhale brings a much milder smoke texture, leaving a delicate taste of flowers and fruit as it exits your system.
The effects might be hard to detect at first, and for those first few minutes, you might feel relatively unchanged. But unlike other strains that work you through a gradual heightening of effects, the Black Russian’s chemistry touts sudden onset that might surprise even the most experienced veterans. Catching you off guard, the unexpected turn suddenly claps through your mind to completely wipe out distractions. The air of clarity and cognitive alertness is coupled with the feelings of calm and relaxation that radiates through the system for a total body-melt.
Urging its users to take a load off, the Black Russian strain can push you into a state of couchlock even when used in moderation. For these reasons, it’s best that less experienced users steer clear of the herb unless they want to experience what a real heavy-handed indica feels like.
The Black Russian isn’t exactly a fast finisher, taking around 8 to 10 weeks to reach its flowering phase. By this time, the leaves should turn a deep purple to black color, which can be an easy marker for maturity. Thriving best outdoors, the Black Russian can be relatively effortless to grow, considering its hardy nature and its resilience against some of the most common cannabis plant diseases.
Fragrant even during its vegetative state, the Black Russian grows in small, stubby stature that may require some topping to encourage more vertical growth. Snipping up the outer leaves especially as it reaches maturity can help inner areas receive more light and air for more fragrant growth.
As a heavy hitter, the Black Russian’s effects are definitely not for the faint of heart. If you’re a beginner who has yet to experience the strength of a 90-10 indica in the ranks of the Russian family tree, then you might want to consider trying out something easier to start with. The Black Russian is a heavy handed herb, and works best for veterans or for cannabis users who want a strain that can ease away a variety of discomforts and stresses that might plague mind and body.
For cultivators, the Black Russian can be relatively easy to farm. Thriving just fine outdoors, the herb doesn’t require too much time or effort, making it a great introductory plant for first time growers.
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