Don Carlos

Don Carlos is a slightly indica-leaning hybrid that builds on the best of Northern California’s cannabis genetics. This strain isn’t just named for reggae artist Don Carlos — it was specifically commissioned by him. Bred by the Humboldt Seed Company, Don Carlos is a cross between their own Humboldt Sour Diesel and Blackberry OG. The result is a potent and very pungent flower that offers THC levels of between 24% and 28%.

Flowers of Don Carlos stand out thanks to their large size and chunky formations — the buds adhere in tapered, almost conical shapes. Their internal structure shows an indica influence, with short leaves that curl tightly in on themselves. These leaves themselves are a vibrant shade of lime green, with some phenotypes showing off bold flashes of purple as well. Finally, curly orange pistils and translucent, whitish trichomes dot all visible surfaces of these striking flowers.

Don Carlos’ buds have a mostly fruity scent, with some distinct notes of berry passed on from Blackberry OG. A deeper whiff, however, will pick up on the strain’s intense and slightly astringent diesel aroma. Grinding up or breaking apart these flowers, on the other hand betrays their Kush influence with a rich, hashy undertone. When burnt in a pipe or a joint, Don Carlos gives off a thick but easily ingested smoke. On the exhale, this smoke has a sour and slightly fruity flavor.

The high from Don Carlos can be somewhat stealthy, only creeping up on the consumer some 15 minutes after consumption. Gradually, users may become aware of some lightheadedness and odd sensations like an increase in blood pressure around the temples. As these facial tics subside, smokers find themselves plunged into a newly activated way of thinking. Thoughts can seem to take on a new complexity and interconnectedness, leading users to muse on unforseen connections between topics. This cerebral sharpness may facilitate bouts of productivity, whether consumers are engaged in complicated, detail-oriented work or in more openended, artistic projects. In some circumstances, Don Carlos’ mental stimulation may even have an effect on the senses — users may experience trippy phenomena like visual and auditory distortions or a feeling of time passing more slowly.

After some time, Don Carlos’ high starts to lean toward the indica end of the spectrum. Consumers who may have seized on the strain’s initial burst of energy may find themselves starting to slow down, with a newfound weightiness taking hold in the limbs and core. This sedative sensation can diminish a smoker’s willingness to plow through a lengthy to-do list. Instead, Don Carlos’ later stages are best spent lounging at home with passive entertainments like TV shows and board games. Because of its eventually sleepy effects, Don Carlos is recommended for late afternoon through evening use, when it can be fully appreciated.

Don Carlos’ dynamic properties can have as many medical applications as they do recreational ones. For one, the strain’s initial cerebral edge can help those with attention deficit disorders to zone in on one task at a time. Additionally, its mood-boosting effects can temporarily soothe the difficult symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. Physically speaking, this bud can dull chronic, disease-related aches and pains as well as minor inflammations like headaches and cramps. In high enough doses and a sufficiently relaxed setting, Don Carlos may even work against trenchant cases of insomnia, lulling consumers to sleep. Because it can bring some fairly strong, recursive patterns of obsessive thinking, though, this strain is not recommended for patients who are inexperienced with cannabis or who are prone to paranoia.

For those looking to grow in this strain at home, seeds of Don Carlos can be purchased directly through the Humboldt Seed Company. Plants can grown indoors or out, although outdoor success depends on a humid, Mediterranean-like climate. Gardeners who want to bring out the purple highlights in this strain’s flowers should activate the plants’ anthocyanin pigments by briefly exposing their crops to nighttime temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, just before flowering begins. Don Carlos reaches flowering maturity within a brief 7 to 8 weeks when grown indoors and between late September and early October when grown outdoors.

An excellent all-purpose smoke, Don Carlos is as enjoyable to toke alone as it is to share with friends. If you do break it out in public, be ready for its pungent, gassy smoke to turn some heads.