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Mandala strains in general are like this; the resin is there, its just not as in your face as some strains. The glands are rather small. The bubblebags tell the truth, huge yields of the 45 micron trichs, as its rather sativa heavy. The smoke is fantastic. Potent with a very exotic, spicy/earthy flavor that I describe as a market in India... a bit of incense and spice, a bit of jasmine, and a bit of sweat and cowshit.
Sounds like my cup of tea, and yup, sativas should have small heads. I like spicy/earthy flavours so I might have to give this one a try. How much variation did you see in your pack?
I had two distinct phenos in a 10 pack. Most were uniform, but one took way longer to start flowering, and to ripen. I haven't sampled that one yet since its still drying but I did not clone it due to the long flowering time which I found unsuitable for my garden.
I'm really pleased with the strain however. I would note that its not a crowd-pleaser; its intense aroma could be described as unpleasant by some and its a very intense high. Its certainly a strain that certain people will totally love and a lot of others would give it a pass. I happen to be among those passionate about it.
From Mandala, so far I would call Mandala#1 and 8 Miles High the most deliciously accessable in terms of flavor and effect. Really euphoric and fruity, both of them. Everyone raves about Satori, too, but I haven't run it yet.
I'm trying Point of No Return and Krystallica outside this year. The plants are wonderful (typical Mandala robustness) but they haven't started flowering yet so I will have to report back in the fall.
Really? Lacking Resin? You must have bad luck as far as phenos go. Mandala Strains tend to be the most consistently frosty stains that I've run. I did have one unimpressive Kalichakra and one unimpressive 8 miles high, but Sadhi, Hashberry, Satori, White Satin, Speed Queen, and Mandala #1 have been sugar sprinkled. Do you grow outdoors? If not, what are your environmental variables like in your room? I hate to hear that a fellow mandala lover isn't seeing what I'm seeing in terms of frosty goodness.
Do you grow in water or in dirt? Synthetic or Organic? The Kali and 8MH I was disappointed in totally smell like an Indian Market and or a musty hay field as well. The smoke surprised me though.
chiefstrongleaf, perhaps I wasn't clear. My Mandala strains have had loads of resin. I was addressing the critique of the photo and reminding the commenter that sativa-heavy plants often have less of the white furry resin so popular lately. They are nonetheless quite coated in frosty trichs with delicious aromas and the trim makes amazing bubblehash. M#1 and 8 Miles have both been extremely enjoyable. I use 600w sodium lamps in organic soil and sometimes hempy buckets with PBPro. I'm also running 4 Mandala strains in a greenhouse this summer. I am in no way disappointed in any of these plants except for one slow-flowering KC pheno. Its unfotunate that popular media has made people think that all good herb should look like moldy berries; some of the finest sativas on the planet have tiny resin glands. Mandala seems to breed a good compromise. Plenty frosty, but as in the above image, a bit more subtle than the trendy strains you see in magazine centerfolds. FWIW some very seasoned smokers have sampled the above plant and rated it spectacular.
Maybe I just need to work on my reading for comprehension skills I know what you mean about the visual appeal (frostiness) of Indica dominant strains; I too have been put in place by some less than stellar looking buds. I guess the old saying "don't judge a book by its cover" applies to cannabis as well.
Great job strongleaf She looks ready to eat. I know what you mean about sativa doms though. Everyone is always chasing the White strains because of how they look, but the best buds i've smoked would generally not get most people's attention.
I smoked some Kalichakra grpwn by a friend and it was a very good smell.
I´ve noticed the small size of the trics reminding me outdoor plants.
Very potent and narcotic. With a very mental high.
I´ve loved it. Great pics chappie!
the Kalichakra blew me away by growing beyond 11' tall in my greenhouse this summer. It was somewhat susceptible to mold but I harvested a great deal despite tossing some otherwise beautiful colas. However, I am retiring it as I am much more impressed by 8 Miles High and Point of No Return. KC has great effects but its smell and taste are just not as good as 8M and PNR. It was also so mold-prone that it is just not a contender here in the PacNW. Great plant though, recommended to those looking to try their first sativa-effect plants.
Out of Speed Queen, Hashberry and Satori I had no keepers, SQ and HB had hermies and they all lacked potency. The Satori yielded good but the potency was poor. This was 3 years back, maybe they have improved since then.