Welcome to News Joint Grow Journal 2.0: Five Signature Strains. As mentioned in News Joint Grow Journal 20, I’m changing the structure and aesthetics for these journal entries and focusing on one strain per entry. Instead of discussing all five strains in each entry, I am covering in more detail one strain for a longer period of growth and will rotate through the following five strains: Tenzin Kush #4 x Hazy Kush by Green Bodhi, Jilly Bean by MzJill Genetics, PuTang by Mass Medical Strains, Peanut Butter Cookies by Tastebudz, Strawberry Cough by Kyle Kushman (Homegrown Cannabis Co.).

I sought after each of these Signature Strains (which I’ll discuss individually) for not only the quality work each breeder does but also the quality of person. We at Illinois News Joint want to work with people who are creating top-quality genetics and creating positive waves throughout the cannabis industry. Admittedly, I have not met these breeders in-person, and no one can really know the true motivations and intentions of others, but I pay close attention to how these breeders treat others in the industry and how others in the industry treat these breeders.

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This Signature Strain spotlight is Tenzin Kush #4 x Hazy Kush by Green Bodhi. I sought out Green Bodhi genetics for several reasons.

• The owner, John Bayes, has more than two decades of experience inside almost all aspects of the cannabis industry, including consulting with State and National law enforcement and politicians who champion the cannabis industry. Bayes focuses on cultivation education in combination with high-level Buddhist teachings, which, according to his website, integrates intention into the cultivation practice. These practices along with sourcing the highest level of organic inputs combine to create the methodology he calls “Intentional Horticulture.”
• Green Bodhi came highly recommended by several experienced home growers who I trust.
• Green Bodhi’s signature strains genotypes are, according to the Phylos Bioscience, quite uncommon and have very few close relatives in their genetic universe.
• Bayes’ work with the “Water for Life” well-building project in Bodhgaya, India, refreshingly delivers life-changing action instead of the usual phony merit-making marketing campaigns I’m accustomed to from corporations.

Bayes’ Buddhist training to help patience probably came in handy while I hassled him to be a part of the Five Signature strains while he was on two business trips, and then (because I need more practice with my own patience), tried to figure out a way to receive the genetics to start the next grow journal on time.

ILNJ photo: 9.14.21

The Green Bodhi signature strains I was most interested in were Tenzin Kush #4 or Hazy Kush, but at the time, only a Tenzin Kush #4 clone was available, which would have been awesome but also a legal nighstmare for me to obtain (thanks, Illinois!). So instead, Green Bodhi graciously offered Tenzin Kush #4 x Hazy Kush feminized seeds. I jumped at the offer. Instead of running one of his signature strains, it’s like I’m running two.

Tenzin Kush #4 has gas and fuel aromas with notes of cooling grape menthol. The flavors include gas, skunk, and floral. Hazy Kush terpene profile is rich with tropical flavors blended with hazy undertones. I can’t wait to find out the terpene profile for this cross.

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The first thing I noticed about Green Bodhi was the branding and packaging, which was the best I’d seen for breeders, from the outside branded box, to the string-draw cloth inside, to the clear container of seeds. It’s as if I’d purchased at a craft store.

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I planted in a solo cup one TK#4xHK seed on August 28. The seed popped September 1. Despite me almost killing all five plants in the first 10-16 days (more on that mistake in the following journal entries), the TK#4xHK thrived throughout. Even these photos do not do it visual justice.

The symmetrical growth of the TK#4xHK fascinated me the most. The branches alternate back and forth so no two branches were located directly above the other, and the stacking seemed to be spaced unevenly apart. It’s safe to say I’m obsessed with this plant.

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Stay tuned for Grow Journal 22: Jilly Bean by MzJill Genetics. Click here to follow News Joint Grow Journal. A Prairie State of Mind.

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