From the Land of the Dragon
Hidden deep in the Himalayas, Bhutan has always had something mythical about it. Ancient monasteries cling to mountainsides, remote valleys remained cut off from the outside world for generations, and relatively few travellers ever make it there. It is easy to understand why Bhutan has been compared to the legendary Shangri-La.
Wild cannabis is part of this extraordinary landscape. White Bhutanese began with seeds that we collected in Wangdi Province during an extended trip. The habitat for wild cannabis sativa in this area lies between 1,300-2,000 meters (4,265–6,560 ft). It has a subtropical Himalayan climate with cool, dry winters and a warm, humid monsoon season.
We preserved the original genetics and kept White Bhutanese remarkably close to its source. Only one generation separates the plants you can grow today from those wild Himalayan ancestors. For anyone fascinated by traditional Sativas and the places they come from, Bhutan doesn't get much more exotic than this.
Himalayan Resilience
White Bhutanese can take conditions that would give many strains a hard time. Heat, humidity and mold resistance are among her strongest qualities, making her particularly interesting for outdoor and greenhouse growers in demanding climates.
Outdoors, White Bhutanese is well suited to Mediterranean and other warm regions of Europe and up to approx. 43°N. Farther north, you can grow in favorable locations with a suitable microclimate, although a greenhouse is recommended to provide this traditional Sativa with the longer flowering season it requires.
In the U.S., we recommend USDA zones 9-11. Basically, all hot, tropical, and temperate areas with a mild autumn.
White Bhutanese was never grown indoors during our preservation and breeding project. We therefore cannot provide information on its indoor performance or flowering time. Ideally, these Bhutanese landrace genetics should be grown in a natural environment.
STRAIN FACTS
Genetics
Wangdi Province, Bhutan
Type
sativa
THC
12-14%, for oil/rosin/wax 30%
Height
tall
Cultivation
outdoor/greenhouse
Why We Call her 'White'
White Bhutanese produces an impressive coating of resin for a wild strain. But the trichomes behave differently from what many growers expect. They remain beautifully clear to slightly milky right up to harvest, which is how she earned the name “White Bhutanese.”
Don't wait for the trichomes to turn amber! With this strain, bud senescence is the reliable guide for maturity. Watch for the natural slowdown in flower development, then time your harvest accordingly.
CULTIVATION INFO
Climate
warm, humid, temperate, high altitude
Outdoor Harvest
late October-November
Highlight
mold resistant
Best For
landrace collectors
Aroma & Effects
White Bhutanese has an exotic aroma that suits her Himalayan origins. Spice, lemon, mint, fruit and nutty notes mingle in different combinations. After a good cure, the aroma becomes richer and more complex, while lemon and mint often linger.
The high is equally distinctive. Rather than the extreme potency of many modern hybrids, White Bhutanese delivers a traditional Himalayan Sativa experience that wakes up the mind, gets ideas flowing and puts you in the mood to explore, talk or simply enjoy what you're doing.
The high is not racy or overwhelming, and has no tendency to trigger anxiety or paranoia. For those who want more punch while keeping the unique Bhutanese vibes, the buds can be used for concentrates.
Fruity
Minty
Lemon
Sweet
Cardamom
Pistachio
Happy
Creative
Focused
Social
For the first time, Bhutanese landrace genetics from this mysterious and remote Himalayan country can be savoured and explored!
The strain descends from mother plants grown from first-rate seed stock collected in the wild. These mother plants are completely authentic and have remained unchanged since the seeds were collected in their natural habitat. White Bhutanese is only one generation removed from its Himalayan source!
To facilitate outdoor cultivation and make the strain available in a feminized version, we hybridized the mother plants with a carefully selected pollen donor. The essential characteristics of the Bhutanese landrace were preserved while improving the quality and consistency of the flowers.
This particular Sativa comes from Wangdi Province in Central Bhutan, where it grows in a subtropical climate with cool winters at elevations of 1,300–2,000 meters (4,265–6,560 ft). White Bhutanese is an extremely versatile strain with high mold resistance.
Outdoors, White Bhutanese is well suited to Mediterranean and other warm regions of Europe and up to approx. 43°N. Farther north, you can grow in favorable locations with a suitable microclimate, although a greenhouse is recommended to provide this traditional Sativa with the longer flowering season it requires.
In the U.S., we recommend USDA zones 9-11. Basically, all hot, tropical, and temperate areas with a mild autumn.
The plants tolerate extreme heat and were stress-tested in a greenhouse at temperatures of up to 48°C/118°F. Growers in regions with a constant photoperiod or high humidity should especially consider this strain.
White Bhutanese is a classic, tall-growing Sativa with long internodes. This needs to be taken into account when growing in containers or a greenhouse. Late planting and strategic pruning are important unless you have the space and resources to grow true giants! In Mediterranean or hot climates, the plants can still reach up to 2.5 meters even in containers when planted in June (Northern Hemisphere) and left unpruned.
If a more moderate size is desired, we recommend timing the planting season to allow for only about one month of vegetative growth. During this period, pruning the main growing tip once should be sufficient. Excessive pruning can backfire with landrace Sativas, particularly when grown in containers, and reduce yields. So resist the temptation to cut your plants down to bonsai size!
White Bhutanese responds well to LST (Low Stress Training) and, once you have learned how to handle her size, is otherwise very easy and undemanding to grow. Removing the lower shoots further simplifies plant care and strengthens the upper branches. White Bhutanese grows very well in high-quality horticultural potting soil but requires additional feeding during flowering when cultivated in containers. Due to her tremendous vigor, size and long flowering period, an adequate supply of nutrients should be maintained throughout the entire life cycle.
Bhutanese landraces are exceptionally hardy and are not prone to hermaphroditism. Both the original mother genetics and White Bhutanese were subjected to stress tests and proved highly resistant. Keeping the plants healthy provides the best additional foundation for a safe and successful harvest.
Trichome production is impressive. But don’t hold your breath waiting for them to turn amber! The wonderfully clear to slightly milky resin is a trademark of White Bhutanese. Time your harvest according to the strain information, the natural slowdown in flower development and, of course, the weather forecast.
As harvest approaches, an exotic variety of scents unfolds. Spice, lemon, fruit, mint and nuts emerge in different combinations. It took us a while to find a suitable comparison for this complex aroma spectrum. The closest match is typical Indian sweets, or “mithai,” made with ingredients such as cashews, pistachios and cardamom. After drying and curing, the aroma develops into a unique composition that also reflects the environment in which the plants were grown. Lemon and mint remain characteristic notes.
White Bhutanese does not reach the extreme potency of some modern hybrids, and that is part of its special appeal. The high feels natural and balanced: creative, focused, active and social, with a long-lasting effect and no tendency toward anxiety or paranoia. You can enjoy the uplifting character of an authentic Sativa without being overwhelmed by an intensely racy high.
For anyone who prefers the more natural feel of traditional cannabis genetics, White Bhutanese offers something that is becoming increasingly difficult to find.
Broad spectrum use.
White Bhutanese can contain up to 0.8% CBG.
Our organic cannabis seeds are fresh, fully ripened and handcrafted. Each batch is pre-tested for 100% germination and can be easily germinated directly in quality seedling soil.
In Europe, Compo Sana Seedling Mix is an excellent choice. Popular options in North America include Burpee Seed Starting Mix, Pro-Mix Organic Seed Starting Mix and Fox Farm Light Warrior Seed Starter.
Give the seed embryo the best chance to emerge from its shell. If you grow organically, investing in quality seedling soil is one of the simplest ways to get your plants off to a healthy start. We have seen many germination problems caused by peat pellets and Jiffy tabs, where the acidic pH can interfere with germination. Coco coir bricks and other compressed growing blocks can also result in poor germination rates.
There is no need to soak our seeds or use other pre-germination methods. We recommend planting them directly into seedling soil. We cannot accept responsibility for germination results when seeds are soaked in water or germinated in paper tissues.
WARNING: Do NOT lower the pH of your water with acids such as “pH-Down” products containing nitric or phosphoric acid. These can be fatal to young seedlings when growing in soil. We have used inexpensive vinegar to lower the pH of our water for 35 years. It is non-toxic and harmless to the plants when used correctly.
For soil cultivation, the correct water pH is 6.2–6.5. Please consult our Water & pH Guide for more information.
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