Not to be confused with hash, Ash is an indica-leaning hybrid with a double dose of landrace genetics. The potent strain was created by Mr. Nice Seedbank, also the purveyors of Critical Mass, and is a combination of Afghani Skunk and Afghani Haze. The result is a bud that combines all the pungency and psychoactivity of both parent strains. Consumers can expect a thick and heavy body high as well as a fruity, incense-like aroma. This strain’s THC has been measured at between 15% and 20%.
Ash is marked by small to medium-sized flowers that adhere in roughly spherical, chunky nuggets. These buds are more indica than sativa-influenced, with small leaves that curl tightly inward toward a dense central core. The leaves themselves are a mossy green and are twisted through with curly orange pistils. Sometimes, phenotypes of Ash also boast shades of lavender in their leaves, the product of high concentrations of the pigment anthocyanin in the strain’s genetics. These already-colorful buds are finished off by a coat of amber-colored trichomes, giving the flowers a slightly golden glow.
When properly cured, Ash’s flowers smell nothing like ash, instead giving off a tangy, lemony scent. Hanging out underneath is a distinctly skunky funk. Meanwhile, grinding up these buds releases the hash and patchouli aroma of grandparent strain Afghani. When combusted in a pipe or a joint, Ash burns with a harsh smoke that’s likely to sting the palate. On the exhale, this thick smoke tastes skunky, with some spicy, peppery notes.
Like many other indica-leaning strains, Ash is a creeper that waits between 10 to 15 minutes after consumed have invested it to take effect. When it does arrive, this strain creates som increased blood pressure in the head, leading to a flushing in the cheeks and a possible increase in salivation. Once these odd sensations abate, they’re supplanted by a hazy, dreamy feeling in which external stimuli like certain sights and sounds can be amplified or distorted; other psychedelic phenomena include a warping of depth perception. While these trippy effects can be disorienting in the wrong set and setting, properly prepared smokers can drink them in by heightening the mood with atmospheric music or a visually-compelling movie. More of a strain for stretching on your couch than for sitting down at your desk, don’t plan on getting any serious work done under this potent bud’s influence. As this high wears on, Ash banishes any earlier mental preoccupations or stressors into the background and helps the user to fully melt into their surroundings. At this stage, couchlock can be expected and smokers may not want to do much more than kick back and start a binge-watching session. When shared with a group of fun, like-minded friends, Ash can be a great way to bond and to unwind together at the end of a long day. Because of its start-to-finish sedation, Ash is a good strain to toke in the evening or nighttime; if consumed right before bed, it can even lull consumers to sleep.
Ash’s sleepy vibes can also be of value to medical cannabis patients. The strain’s ability to quiet any mental chatter can temporarily soothe the effects stress, depression, and anxiety. This bud can also dull physical pains, whether they’re serious and disease-related or more common, like headaches and cramps. Ash has been known to promote hunger, making it a good appetite stimulant for those who struggle with food intake due to treatments like chemotherapy. As mentioned, this strain can even be a good sleep aid, making it a potential treatment for insomnia. Because it is not associated with cerebral patterns of thinking, Ash is a good option for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low THC tolerance.
Seeds of Ash are available for sale online. Thanks to its strong landrace backbone, the strain can be a user-friendly grow for newcomers to cultivation. Once obtained it can be grown indoors or outdoors in a semi-humid, Mediterranean-like climate. Gardeners looking to bring out the buds’ purple potential should expose their crops to cold nighttime temperatures just before flowering begins -- which is within 8 to 10 weeks for those growing indoors. Ash can yield between 42 and 56 grams (or 1.5 to 2 ounces) of flower per square foot of plant.
A great way to finish the day, Ash is a must-try for indica lovers. Its Afghani genetic background makes it especially worth tracking down by connoisseurs of landrace strains.