Everybody has their own preference when it comes to the type of cannabis that they enjoy.
If you’re relatively new to the world of cannabis and don’t yet know what works for you, or if you’ve found that you experience strong side effects with heavily Sativa or Indica-dominant strains, you might want to try a more balanced hybrid strain with less overwhelming effects.
Pumpkin Kush is one such strain. With optimal cannabinoid percentages and a well-balanced Indica-Sativa split, this marijuana strain is known for its delicious flavor and equally enjoyable mood-lifting effects.
Interested in trying out Pumpkin Kush for yourself? Read this review first to find out its genetic makeup, the type of high you can expect, and what you need to know if you’re considering growing your own plants.
Strain History
Genetics
You can deduce a lot about a strain of cannabis by looking at its parentage. In the case of Pumpkin Kush, its parent strains are Lambsbread and Pre-98 Bubba Kush.
Lambsbread is also sometimes known as Lambs Breath, and it’s a Sativa strain originating from Jamaica. Rumor has it that it was a favorite of the one and only Bob Marley! This is a strain of medium to high potency, known for its ability to relieve stress and depression.
Pumpkin Kush’s other parent strain is Pre-98 Bubba Kush, which is a medium-strength Indica strain. It’s mainly known for producing a strong body high which is often used for pain relief.
Thanks to the contributions of its parent plants, Pumpkin Kush is a Sativa-dominant hybrid strain, but the split is fairly even, at 60% Sativa and 40% Indica.
Origin
Pumpin Kush originates from the West Indies, but it is now available in the United States, specifically, in the North of California.
Strain Appearance
Size, color, and shape are the main physical identifying features of Pumpkin Kush.
The average bud size for Pumpkin Kush is larger than most cannabis plants, which is why Pumpkin Kush buds tend to be described as ‘oversized’.
Several marijuana strains have oversized buds, though. What sets Pumpkin Kush buds apart is their distinctly spade-like shape.
Pumpkin Kush is mostly forest green in color, but a closer look will reveal fine orange hairs, also known as pistils. If you hold a nug up to the light, you’ll also see a dusting of white crystals covering the leaves.
These are called trichomes.
Strain Flavor
One of the main reasons why Pumpkin Kush is such a sought-after strain is that it tastes incredible.
The flavor is distinctly nutty, managing to be spicy and sweet at the same time. You’ll also probably notice some botanical notes coming through, which can be described as either floral, herb-like, or both.
Strain Aroma
Pumpkin Kush gets its name from its aroma, which is another huge selling point for this particular strain.
As you exhale, the main scent you’ll pick up is an earthy, woody aroma, often described as similar to pine. However, subtler notes of pumpkin are also clearly detectable, hence the name ‘Pumpkin Kush’.
Floral and spicy elements are also present in the aroma of Pumpkin Kush. Altogether, this is a great-smelling strain that will have you smoking for the taste and scent experience as much as anything else!
Strain Cannabinoids
Pumpkin Kush contains several cannabinoids, but its primary cannabinoid content can be divided into THC and CBD.
The first thing many potential consumers want to know about a strain beforehand is its THC concentration because this is what determines the potency of the high. In the case of Pumpkin Kush, this cannabinoid has an average test result of 20% THC.
20% is the threshold at which a cannabis strain moves from ‘medium’ to ‘strong’ in terms of potency.
This is a pretty optimal percentage because it means that Pumpkin Kush is strong enough to satisfy more experienced smokers without being so overpowering as to cause problems for newer users.
The CBD content for Pumpkin Kush is much lower than the THC, coming in at less than 1% on average.
Strain Terpenes
Myrcene is the main terpene in Pumpkin Kush, but the strain is also quite high in Caryophyllene.
Terpenes tell us a lot about the flavors and aromas to expect from a cannabis strain. As we’ve already discussed, Pumpkin Kush produces all sorts of flavors and smells, including earthy, floral, and spicy aromas in addition to the pumpkin smell that gives the strain its name.
The presence of Myrcene in Pumpkin Kush explains the stronger, spicy flavors delivered by the strain. Myrcene is actually found in some beers and is known for producing a peppery flavor.
Meanwhile, Caryophyllene is also a spicy terpene, but it’s more of a warm and mellow spice than the peppery flavor of Myrcene. To give you an idea, Caryophyllene is present in cloves and cinnamon.
There are plenty of other terpenes present in Pumpkin Kush that would explain the other detectable flavors and smells, but it’s difficult to pick up all terpenes in a cannabis strain even through testing.
Strain Side Effects
Unlike some strains of marijuana, Pumpkin Kush is not known for producing many side effects.
The most common side effect reported by users of the strain is dry eyes, which, to be fair, is not unusual with most strains. A dry mouth, or ‘cotton mouth’ can also be reasonably expected in some cases, although this isn’t an overwhelmingly reported side effect.
Because Pumpkin Kush produces a soothing body high in addition to the head high expected from Sativa-dominant strains, some users may find that it makes them feel physically lethargic initially.
With that being said, the strain’s mentally stimulating effects should usually be enough to counteract this.
Medical Benefits
Pumpkin Kush is widely used for medicinal as well as recreational purposes because its Sativa-dominant genetics create uplifting, cerebral effects as well as physically soothing ones.
In terms of the mental impact of Pumpkin Kush, potential medicinal uses include treating conditions such as depression and high stress levels.
This is because, in most people, Pumpkin Kush promotes relaxation and euphoria, which may help to counteract the symptoms of certain mood disorders.
Additionally, many people find that Pumpkin Kush makes them feel more sociable, which may alleviate the isolating impact of conditions such as depression.
The uplifting effect of Pumpkin Kush may also help to reduce feelings of fatigue.
Physically, Pumpkin Kush has been shown to alleviate certain types of chronic pain, including headaches and migraines. This is a useful side effect of Pumpkin Kush’s body high.
Strain Review
As a whole, our review of Pumpkin Kush is a very positive one.
There are very few common side effects reported by users of this strain. Unlike a vast number of other marijuana strains, paranoia and enhanced anxiety are not common occurrences with Pumpkin Kush, with most consumers reporting little more than dry eyes and a dry mouth.
While the negative effects of Pumpkin Kush are few, the beneficial effects are many.
From euphoria and relaxation to pain relief and a boost in creativity, there are plenty of mental and physical benefits to using Pumpkin Kush, whether your intentions are medicinal or recreational.
Even aside from the cerebral and physical benefits, Pumpkin Kush delivers an intensely enjoyable smoking experience in terms of aroma and flavor thanks to its particular combination of terpenes.
Strain Grow Info
Strain Flowering Time
The average flowering time for Pumpkin Kush is approximately 60 days, although exact times normally range from 56 to 63 days.
Seed quality and growing conditions can affect the flowering time, so it’s important to follow the maintenance guidelines for this strain carefully to avoid slowing down the process.
Luckily, Pumpkin Kush isn’t too demanding and the required conditions for healthy growth aren’t overly specific. The plant can be grown either indoors or outdoors, although it definitely fares better outside.
The optimal indoor growing environment is a greenhouse.
Strain Yield
You can expect to harvest roughly 525 grams of marijuana per square meter when growing indoors. This number shoots up to an impressive 700 grams per plant when you grow outdoors.
These weights classify Pumpkin Kush as a high-yield strain, so if you choose to try your hand at growing, you can expect significant rewards for your efforts.
For reference, Pumpkin Kush plants usually grow up to 140 centimeters indoors and 180 centimeters outdoors.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in search of a high that will improve your sense of wellbeing on both a mental and physical level, Pumpkin Kush is an excellent choice!
Whether you’re struggling with chronic pain, low mood, or a creativity block, Pumpkin Kush’s mentally stimulating and physically relaxing effects should have you feeling more like yourself in no time.
However, if pain or mood-related symptoms are troubling you on a regular basis, make sure to speak to your healthcare provider.
As always, remember to drink plenty of water to hydrate yourself before and while smoking to minimize the risk of side effects such as dry eyes, which is the most commonly reported side effect of this strain.
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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