Origin of Skunk

Skunk has been the victim of misinformation and has added to its somewhat colorful history. A basic explanation about how it got its name is quite obvious, it was derived from the stinky animal, the Skunk. A defining attribute of the Skunk cannabis strain is its strong smell, and this is even stronger in other hybrids created from Skunk, so hence its namesake is the animal that emits a sharp smell.

Confusion

However, when Skunk made its way to the United Kingdom, it took a different context. Suddenly, Skunk meant the cannabis was extremely potent and is a term now used for any seedless and strong cannabis bud. Because of this, Skunk is incorrectly referred to as Super Weed or insinuations that it is a totally different (more dangerous) version of cannabis.

The UK got it all wrong through misinformation and Skunk is just a cannabis strain created for indoor cultivation, involving hybrid plants and accelerating flower development…and yes, it has a pungent smell.

But in a way, it is feasible to think why the UK though Skunk was a whole new ball game. For its time, Skunk #1 was revolutionary for growers and more so for those in cold regions, so perhaps it doesn’t come as a big surprise to see how it became synonymous with Super Weed in other countries.

History

During the seventies, a bunch of weed growers in California experimented with crossbreeding hash strains from Afghanistan and Pakistan with strong Sativa strains from Central and South America, in particular, Colombian Gold and Acapulco Gold. The result was Skunk #1 that turned out to be a consistent and predictable variety that is still available today. The plant is potent and highly adaptable.

And by 1980, Skunk#1seeds were available for sale and the confirmed record of when Skunk#1 arrived in Europe was 1982 – if it happened before, there’s no official confirmation.

The genetics of Skunk #1 has been preserved, which is why it’s still such a reliable and consistent strain that has parented more strains than most hybrids.

Skunk#1 Strains

Skunk #1 was a top choice to breed other strains specifically for its hardiness and potency. Because Skunk #1 is responsible for parenting so many strains, it is safe to assume this plant’s genetics will continue to play a role in cannabis breeding for years to come.

Super Skunk

Super Skunk comes from Skunk #1 and the potent Afghani hash strain. Just after 1990 when this strain was first released, it won the Cannabis Cup for ultra-pungent aroma, dense, thick buds, and its sweet taste that puts you on a relaxing ride.

Early Skunk

Early Skunk is was grown outdoors and yet another Skunk strain to win the Cannabis Cup. Its parents are Skunk #1 and Early Pearl, which has sturdy buds that add a streak of stability and toughness to its offspring. Early Skunk is easy to grow and is an Indica dominant strain with a short flowering period and massive harvests.

Skunk Kush

Skunk Kush was bred from Skunk #1 and a really heavy Afghani strain, being the Hindu Kush, hence the name Skunk Kush. It delivers a strong effect on the body while livening it up with giggles and big weed eyes.

White Skunk

White Skunk hails from the White Label Seed Company being the sister company of Sensi Seeds. They bred this strain with genetics taken from Skunk and Sativa strains. Although it has a similar aroma to Skunk#1, it’s big bud have characteristics similar to that of Sativa genetics. With an orange scent, it gives you a super relaxed feeling while keeping you alert.

Sensei Skunk

Sensi Skunk is considered a unique Skunk variety because it has a citrus aroma and not the pungent smell we expect from Skunk strains. It is dominant in Indica and produces a calming and relaxing effect similar to strong Indica varieties. It is commonly used for stress relief and insomnia.

Shiva Skunk

The last on this list but by no means the end of the Skunk strain list. The Shiva Skunk is the strongest skunk strain that has been created so far. It was propagated from the legendary Northern Lights #5 and Skunk #1. Shiva Skunk inherited the characteristic skunk smell but its big yields come from the Northern Lights lineage. The effects are also similar to Northern Lights giving you a potent high. Shiva Skunk is a favorite to consume at the end of a hectic day.