Granddaddy Purple, also known as Grandaddy Purp and GDP, is a classic strain that has been popular for a number of years.
This strain is one of the most famous and popular strains in the west coast and is a staple in California, but actually has some roots in the middle east.
This strain is perhaps the most well known purple strain in modern weed culture.
The strain has won the High TImes Cup 14 times, and won first place in the 2004 Medicinal Cup, first place in the 201 Denver High Time Cup and first place in the 2004, 2005, and 2006 Green Cup.
Granddaddy Purp is easily one of the most sought after indica hybrids after weed became legal in certain states across America.
This is the sort of strain that really benefits from commercial, as opposed to clandestine, horticulture methods due to its Hollywood looks.
Read on to find out more about this notorious strain that has become syndicated among the serious smokers.
Strain history
Genetics
The Granddaddy Purp strain has some interesting genetics that the weed connoisseur may be interested to learn about. The Californian classic is a combination of Mendo Purps, Skunk, and the Afghan strain.
Granddaddy Purp inherits muc of its taste and aroma from Mendo Purps as well as the Afghanistan parent. Skunk provides the bud’s architecture of oversized and thick kushy buds.
Origin
The original Granddaddy Purp was created way back in 2003 by Ken Estes in the San Francisco Bay Area. Estes’ work earned the Grandaddy Purp the amazing feat of having 14 High Times Cup titles.
According to Estes, a Native American friend of his was facing foreclosure of his property and needed $29,000 overnight in order to save his land. Estes decided to give him the money, earning a lot as a dealer and grower at the time, having listened to God and to his heart.
Days later, Estes would be introduced to another Native American man who passed him a plant which was likely the Afghanistan cannabis plant that he used for Grandaddy Purp, the rest is history.
Estes suggests that we should put our trust in a higher power and follow our heart as it can lead us to situations that will better us as people.
This is another great American story that shows the importance of giving and sharing, both what is fiscally valuable and what is subjectively valuable.
Strain Profile
Strain Appearance
Unsurprisingly, Grandaddy Purp is a naturally purple sprouting marijuana. The swelling purple buds blend perfectly with the orange hairs and frosty white of the THC crystals to make a truly beautiful bud that you will want to display rather than smoke.
It’s likely its strong purple sprouting genetics come from a combination of the Mendo Purps and Afghanistan genetics. This bud truly is the Kate Moss of the cannabis industry, its striking looks make it desirable among smokers and weed photographers alike.
If you grow this right, you will have people buying it purely for the looks and smells.
You may be wondering how weed turns purple. A pigment called anthocyanin is present in most plants that have bold colors and is also present in marijuana.
In combination with certain genetics these anthocyanins can become more present and more likely to turn the plant purple as it matures, much like a leaf in fall. Certain growing conditions can exacerbate this process to help trigger the turning of the plant into a purple.
Cole temperatures cause chlorophyll to break down and this is what can allow the colors to come through even more. With the right growing conditions and genetics you can get your plant to become really purple.
Strain Flavor
The Grandaddy has some actually quite complex tasting notes. Due to its genetics the strain has gained a grape and berry aroma which isn’t all that common in marijuana strains.
It seems that the Skunk genetics have heightened the already strong taste and aroma into a powerful experience. The skunk seems to add a little bit of a diesel and earthy note too.
People often cite the interesting taste, in amalgamation with the buds’ looks, that makes it so attractive.
Strain Aroma
Similarly, the smell is sourced from its genetic roots and has a similar echo of grape and berries. The skunk certainly makes this smell stronger and adds diesel notes that we would relate with kuchier strains.
Just like its photogenic appeal, the smell adds another layer of attractiveness to an already popular strain. Imagine you’ve just popped open a can of Welch’s, that’s what this smells like.
This stuff could easily be used as potpourri.
Strain Cannabinoids
This strain is relatively strong, some reports suggest it can have a THC percentage of 17% up to 20-21%. Most reports find that this strain is around 75% indica dominant, which matches the general profile of the strain.
So be prepared for some kushy goodness from this relatively strong strain. Surprisingly, perhaps, the strain is actually pretty low in CBD.
Strain Terpenes
Myrcene is the dominant terpene present in Grandaddy Purp and adds the peppery notes to the plant that is present in other plants such as hops, bay leaves, and lemongrass.
Like many other terpenes, Myrcene has some health benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties. Myrcene is what you might recognise in the bitter but peppery aftertaste to beer or ale.
Side Effects
Expect the normal side effects that may come with smoking high THC marijuana. This strain is relatively high THC so might not be great for the beginner smoker, although the look of the bud may be enough to draw them in.
If you’re a novice, smoke a spliff with a friend and share it, you can always smoke more after. Always consult your doctor when side effects persist.
Medical Benefits
You only have to ask the strains pioneer Ken Estes about potential medical benefits for marijuana. In the late 70s Estes was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him a quadriplegic and bound to a wheelchair for life.
Since smoking weed, including his own strain Granddaddy Purp, he found that his symptoms decreased and he had a generally better quality of life when smoking marijuana in comparison to taking pharmaceutical medicine.
Always consult a medical professional before making a move to more natural medicines.
This strain has been described as being perfect for people who seek pain relief. It has also been effective at treating insomnia due to its high level of indica THC.
Strain Review
This strain doesn’t need much of a review, it has become one of the most well recognised and enticing of all the strains. The purple hue of the bud makes it ideal for any photo op or to create weed envy amongst your friends.
The purple hue makes it feel special, like it was grown on the moon and its effects will certainly take you there. The initially intense head high smooths out into a buzzy and numb body high that will send even the most hyper smokers into a blissful snooze.
Not only does it look great, but it tastes and smells great too. There’s no wonder some people think this weed is a medecine, it certainly looks like it.
This is why Grandaddy Purp has the name it does today and has been the apple of the eye of many US smokers. This plant is a wise old sage that can help you through some bad times like a shaman.
Strain Grow information
Grandaddy Purp grows best indoors but can do well outside too. The oversized buds tend to weigh the plant down a bit and can be impractical for outdoor growth.
When grown indoors you should try to make your stems strong enough to hold the weight of these buds at the 60 day mark. Cuttings and seeds from the Grandaddy Purp plant can be worth quite a lot.
This strain is pretty well sought after not only for its flowers but for its seeds too.
Grandaddy Purp seeds can be used to make Purple Punch which has become equally popular around the world, including a whole host of other purple sprouting strains that are loved.
Seeds
Grandaddy Purp has become more popular than ever with the increasing states that choose to decriminalise and legalise the recreational use of marijuana and its cultivation.
Seeds for Grandaddy Purp are often well sought after and can be hard to get due to the plant being perfect for indoor growth.
Flowering Time
The plant’s height usually doesn’t get above 30 inches. It should take around 7-9 weeks for your plants to flower, try sync this with the season so they can start flowering around mid October.
Strain Yield
Like many indica plants, this strain has a pretty impressive yield. Yield could top 4-5 ounces when grown inside, while outdoor grows could go over 3 ounces.
For optimal results keep the plant around 70+ Fahrenheit during its growth cycle, as well as a humidity of around 50-55%.
This website will serve as the ultimate guide and record for various different cannabis strains that are available, from melon gum and golden goat, to wookie and hog strains. There is so much to learn about each strain, and each has its own benefits and medicinal properties.
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