Black Dutch *Indica*

Black Dutch – the popular custom of dividing a bill after a date – isn’t nearly as enjoyable as the cannabis variety with the same name. Black Dutch is an indica-dominant hybrid that was originally developed in the Pacific Northwest but is now widely cultivated in Amsterdam. This is a strong strain with THC levels between 15% and 30 percent, providing both physical and mental benefits. Black Dutch’s strength earned it third place among California’s best sativas in 2012.

There is no clear provenance on the lineage of Black Dutch. However, many sources point to Jordan of the Islands, an experienced breeder from Vancouver Island, as the point of origin. Jordan of the Islands grows several staple strains as well as innovative crossbreeds that retail at dispensaries throughout the Vancouver area.

Black Dutch is a result of cross-pollination between two popular strains: Northern Lights (a heavy indica with an earthy flavor profile) and Haze (a powerful sativa with very thin buds). However, without sophisticated genetic testing, we can’t tell how Black Dutch evolved.

Despite its enigmatic genetics, Black Dutch has a clear “bag appeal” that has made it attractive for innovative crossbreeding. One phenotype of the strain, Black Dutch #5, has been used to make other well-known strains including High Definition and Black Dutch Haze. It’s resulted from combining Electric Haze with Super Silver Haze.

Despite its indica dominance, Black Dutchs’ buds are more sativa in appearance: they’re tapered and conical rather than round, and their leaves are more wispy and soft than densely packed. The foliage is a dark green with golden and yellow pistils concealed beneath a thick covering of trichomes. If you don’t use a grinder to break apart the buds of Black Dutch, it’s possible that they’ll be tough to break apart for a pipe or a joint. The scent of this strain, while not unpleasant, isn’t particularly strong or powerful. Cured buds have a woodsy smell with some nonspecific citrus sweetness and cedar notes. The smoke has a surprisingly smooth flavor that is dominated by herbs and pine.

Cannabis company Bhang produces a packaged vape pen with 25% THC Black Dutch concentrate oil that is ideal for individuals who don’t want to deal with equipment like joints, pipes, or vaporizers; even when vaped, this strain retains its uniquely herbal and earthy flavor and smell.

The effects of this strain hit the user hard, with a euphoric head rush. Rather than mental stimulation, Black Dutch offers emotional uplift that helps promote social interaction and some talkativeness. The initial cerebral effects tend to lead to lethargy or sleepiness as the high continues. Some drowsiness and, with larger dosages, couchlock might be felt. Apart from its ability to relieve tension, the strain’s tiny amounts of CBD have been linked to pain and nausea relief, as well as mental illnesses including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention deficit disorders. The following are some of the most common negative side effects: red, flaky eyelids and a persistent dry mouth. Because Black Dutch’s body high grows gradually over time, it is better suited for nighttime usage. A little bit goes a long way – consumers have reported that the high lasts up to two hours depending on individual sensitivity.

Black Dutch is a very fast-growing succulent, with new plantings reaching heights of up to 5 feet in just a few weeks. If grown inside, trimming and topping of fan leaves can be used to keep it bushier and grow up to 5 feet tall. Outside in a warm, temperate climate, though, Black Dutch may climb much higher; as plants develop taller shoots, growers may need to use stakes to support branches while they flower. When growing outside, cultivators should expect to maintain plants in a climate that does not stray outside the suggested range of 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Black Dutch has a higher yield than average: each plant may produce between 4 and 8 ounces of flower when cultivated under ideal conditions. When grown indoors, Black Dutch blooms in 6 to 8 weeks and as early as late September when cultivated outdoors.

Black Dutch is a great strain for unwinding but not necessarily for productivity or socializing, demonstrating that it’s an evening to nighttime strain. Black Dutch’s CBD content makes it useful in treating conditions such as persistent pain and digestion. Plants of this variety may be difficult to grow because of their propensity to become tall if not properly cared for.