I made my own cross back in 2003 with a pure haze (m) and a bubbleberry (f) to this day its the finest weed ive ever smoked! I only grew out two seeds and it went 14 weeks both phenos were almost identical.

Ive also grown other cuts of various strains in hydro, soil and outside in the uk, all methods produced different results in the plants appearance, smell, taste and effect.

For example the cuts grown outside were so different you would have thought it was a completely different strain! The high was very uplifting and mild compared with the hydro which was a heavy couchlock effect.

I put this down to the difference in light spectrum from the sun (full spectrum inc uv) I believe this changes the terpene and cannabinoid profile in the plant.

Ive also run metal halide exclusively and noted a difference compared with hps ie it is more similar to sunlight at midday you will definitely see way less stretch and the flowers are more dense and flavoursome but will lose a little yeild. I finally settled on mh for the first 3 weeks afer switch then hps for the remainder of flowering. Next time i grow i will be using diy led cobs with the aim of getting 1.8g /w

My point here really is to agree with the op a good pheno grown well, flushed properly and dried cured properly ( MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN FINAL PRODUCT) will always compare to cali/dutch etc imo.

If you really want something special do what they do but on a smaller scale they will grow out 100's of seeds from an unstable f1 cross and find a phenotype that is rather special! Good luck stabilising it and preserving the desirable traits in seed form though!
In fact this is what happened with cheese it was a freak pheno that was only available as a clone for a long time. I suspect the seed form now is not nearly as nice as the original cutting? Sorry for going off on one i just wanted to share my experiences experiments.

On another note some of the oldschool strains will put modern cali strains to shame for example bubbleberry from sagmartha seeds, super silver haze to name a few people always want the latest thing it doesnt mean its the best!

Big up Ukgrower2

The Cali strain thing, to me, is just hype. It just means the strain genetic was produced in California...highly doubt any of it is "flown here not grown here". Having raised this topic in coffeeshops in Amsterdam, they say its flown in....yet their Twitter accounts show them growing it, stage by stage hahaha. When asking in a cannabis social club in Spain, they told me they grow it themselves. Other coffeeshops in the Dam have also told me the cali flown in thing is bollocks. As you say, tins are available on ebay in bulk. That says it all. Ive also had friends give me nugs out of "cali tins" that cost £50 for 3.5g and its been standard commercial weed.

I think the deal with dutch weed is their experience on a commercial basis. Spain are winning the game in my eyes though! If you get a genuine spanish import you are in luck!! It will be lovely! As with Dutch imports....its not too hard to shift weed around Europe. But the risk to import from the U.S just wouldnt be worth it IMO.

The fact that theres power sellers on eBay getting rich off selling thousands of shitty tins/tubes and stickers advertising exotic cali strains says it all. Theres no telling the "connoisseurs" who pay £400+ an ounce, that their "cali" more than likely originates from someones bedroom tent in the same town :)

The fact that it's even possible to get "Cali" grown outside of California says it all really, it's become a type of brand name. If some one grows a bit of Amnesia I've never heard them call it UK grown Amsterdam.... it makes no sense.

"Cali" is the kind of thing we have to worry about if we ever go legal or whatever, it's just big American companies trying to steamroller over everyone else. Same old shit, different market.

We definitely need to make sure we look after our UK growers going forward, we do DANK better on this side of the pond anyway. Let's get a whole range of Cheese's going I say :P

Nothing wrong with Cali mind I might be being a bit harsh but we do have to be careful though.

*** I'm looking at doing a run of RSO, Canna capsules and some rosin Dabs if the demand is there. For anyone interested please see my other post.

Cheers

Great thread. I’ve enjoyed reading all the replies but what sticks with me is that same doubt... I don't think much genuine Cali grown weed makes it over here... as you've said, there are loads of UK producers making very convincing ‘counterfeit’ Cali packaging. Its crap.

There are good reasons why someone might choose Cali or Dutch over UK bud, but I think the rationale behind it has been somewhat drowned up by hype/fashion. But ultimately, Cali or Dutch bud should - in theory - come from more accountable growers. 'Real Cali' is tested, and it's quality verified - that will be appealing to people whose 'street' purchases might be questionable. Same goes for Dutch, to a degree. In as much as if this is sold in a coffee shop, it has to compete with all bud in all coffee shops, and is therefore expected to be of higher quality.

There are also legacy reasons, possibly. Pre-legalisation, I used to get bud in from Cali - I've long believed the best outdoor grows come from that region, and I like outdoor grows! But the geography of the 'Golden Triangle' in Cali does offer the ideal growing environment - but with modern genetics close to hand (unlike more traditional growing regions). The sheer number of smokers/growers there also led to the early(ish) medical legalisation there, which also helped the scene. California deserves its reputation as the home of amazing cannabis - but certainly not everything from there is great these days (I suspect the black market here is largely their rejects!). Similarly, Amsterdam's been the home of modern genetics on this side of the ocean, with the coffeeshop scene encouraging at least a base level of quality.

UK bud doesn't have that same provenance. There are some famous cuts, sure - Exodus, Blues etc. But nothing else that implies any guarantee of quality. But, of course, with the same seeds and equipment, there's no reason UK bud couldn't theoretically compete with the best. Indeed, nearly all the best buds I've ever had have been UK grown. I'd never specifically choose Dutch over UK and I actively avoid marketed Cali in the UK (it's either fake, reject or over-priced!).

The one origin label that does prick my ears up is Canada. I believe their gear has a lot of the same advantages, but isn't exploited in the same way. If I want cheap, reliable quality, Canadian vendors top the charts. But for pristine high end, I stick with good growers of nice genetics in the UK.

Hi there. I really liked reading your post. You seem very knowledgeable. Would you be able to recommend good vendors on here? I’m knew and I’d appreciate the help.
Many thanks.
Peace.

Cali is Cali, you know when its from Cali, its got that certain... thing.
UK Cali, is just a cali strain grown here in the UK.
I know many people who will only smoke Real Cali. And many who say its not worth the extra price tag.

Personally, smoke/price the UK Grown hold their own just as well, if the growers done a good job.

The UK Cali strains just switch the flavours up a little bit so your not smoking the same thing all the time, and you can rely on the strain being a decent one.

^^ Personal opinion.

Stay High

GF

I had alsorts of cali an tbf the only thing that's real good is how much they trim their leaves. but ive had just as good uk grown or in dam coffee shops so i think cali quality can be grown anywhere if you know how

Kudos.

Cheers BB

facts

Theres a few facts about cali weed.

Maybe it's just that if someones done a truly excellent job of growing they will label it as Cali.

The Cali characteristics seem to be a really clean burn and very compact buds - which is amazing, but who knows where it was grown? All I know is, I've never come across harsh, unflushed or nutrient burned "Cali".

Another thing I've noticed is, I think the effort put into growing is way more important than what the strain is.

"Maybe it's just that if someones done a truly excellent job of growing they will label it as Cali."

Yes, unfortunately far too much of that.

Personally I think Cali and Dutch herb is better than UK weed and I’ve smoked a shit tonne of Dutch weed living there in the mid 00’s... why? Simply because it’s legal... you don’t have to rush, hide away, worry constantly, they’re doing it on a legal industrial scale so the equipment is better, they can invest in the newest and best equipment without fear of losing it all in a raid, purely and simply it’s investment that makes legal weed better.

Also a big factor is in the U.K. we have to buy what’s available if it’s shit it’s shit, wait and hope the next lot from your dealer is better, in legal countries it’s competition there is recourse for the product.... I had XXX weed from XXX grower and it was the bomb goes far and makes money, rather than I bought some banging weed off Gary in the dog and duck in Grimsby means fuck all unless you know Gary and live in Grimsby... accountability is the difference imo.

Can weed be grown as well in the UK as Cali or Dam... 100% it’s a seed it grows, no rocket science behind it or a special formula just freedom, time and equipment and experience.

100% mate, I DO believe there is some grade around that just couldn't be produced to that quality and volume in some cloak and dagger growhouse operation here.

I see a lot more coming from Canada, and there's been routes from Dam, Poland and elsewhere for green in as long as it's been here. However with the right genetics, knowledge and conditions I believe you can grow truly A*** green anywhere, just not sure you can do it on an industrial scale in a country that continues to throw so much of the law's resources to shutting them down.

As others have said the equipment used, testing, level of quality control, the manicured buds, the density, the quality, the taste...there is definitely something..different around, that never was before the "Cali" phase. Hype or otherwise.

Where it comes from I have no idea but there has been a huge change in the strength and amount that's around.

The problem I have is the grey area between what is genuine Top Shelf and what isn't. The marketing has muddied the waters and pushed up the price and cache of average weed that sparkles a bit.

Fact is no matter what, I draw the line somewhere. When we were kids it was 3.5 for 25 quid, last time I went to Dam it was €20 on the gram. I just will never reach to some of those levels and even on here you will see up to £70-80 a henry. Doesn't matter where it's grown, flown....budget dictates for me.

There has always been a top level, and as long as that reflects in the product we can all be happy.

I agree 100%. And if it is Cali weed, surely traveling and packaging would have caused some damage from compression and heat changes and sitting in plastic bags for possibly days on end. If u get from a grower direct and they grow well, other than it being tested and having label saying how much THC etc it should be as good or better. BUT as legal they have more chance to hunt phenos and share genetics so they do have that in their side. But most Cali is probably Albanian weed in a nice baggy lol

If you have the right seeds and know what you're doing then there shouldn't be much difference, that said a lot of uk weed is rushed without the proper flushing and drying due to the risk of loosing it all when you could sell it.

Couldn't agree more on that, but there a few excellent stealth setups in the UK bagging out great weed

there's a lot more science and consistancy in cali weed.. they've been able to study and learn the plant legally for last 20 odd years within the medical era with the correct resources therefore they have a lot more knowledge of what the plant requires and needs

any top shelf cali that has been packaged properly and licensed wouldve gone through testing too before hitting the shelves, to make sure there are no pesticides etc.

I'm not convinced, yes they have been at it for ages, but so have the Dutch... and they still grow in the same manner as most.
Lights / good feed and a bit of TLC. Theres a case for using reverse osmosis water but it's not proven as it strips essential minerals out of the water, so they need to be re added.
The clue is in the name "weed" theres no magic science that only the guys in cali know of.
I get your point of consistency of environment but with the right resources, that isn't out of reach.

Have you seen large scale cali grows, they are similar to large scale grows all over the world.

Thanks for your input Hootan, always good to hear other peoples views

its still illegal to grow weed in holland. they have to learn the plant in secret making it so much harder. also they grow recreational weed.. which is really just for the average consumer who doesnt care what they smoke aslong as they get their high. their tech in cali is far more advanced than any other place on the planet, and thats why their weed is the best.

What tech make it far more advanced than any other place on the planet? You know the UK grow tons of medical weed, and they grow just like the cali labs.
And you think the stuff that supposedly comes from these super advanced labs is the stuff we get in the UK... eventhough its illegal to ship it to the UK. Or is it at best, opportunist from cali growing in a warehouse in standard conditions and smuggling it into the UK.... or maybe it's not from cali.

Not trying to rub you up the wrong way, just chatting, but claiming it's the best because it's more advanced or that they've been doing it longer is marketing speil without substance.

Anyway Hootan, it's good chatting with you, your products look ace.

In my very limited experience of what I have had/seen that has been sold as Cali is that it is always rock hard, dense bud that has been very decently trimmed and there is never any sugar leaf. Other than that...isn't it just really strong weed???

I have always asked myself what is it that Cali growers can do that UK growers supposedly can't?? It's all indoors so we should be able to replicate the exact same conditions anywhere in the world no? Admittedly it must be a lot easier to create/maintain a professional grow in a place where it is legal to do so but technique and equipment wise, aren't we all on a level playing field now?

Also, I still have the whole 'how long does it take to physically transport wholesale weed from California to here'...and how the hell could it possibly get to us in tip top condition??? Surely if it is legit from Cali, it is past it's best by the time it's taken weeks to get here getting battered about the whole time?...

I can't personally see why UK weed couldn't in theory be as good as anything grown anywhere in the world...unless I have missed something?

Yes, you raise some good points... smuggle cail weed to the UK by the ton in tins... or smuggle coke.
Theres a guy on Insta from London ( ish ) called "Slapsta designs " I think and the guy is churning out thousands of 3.5g bags, tins, glass pots etc. Not weed, just bag etc and it's getting bought and filled by UK guys with...... Cali weed, pull the other one, maybe its just good UK weed, or not so good

As you say what is being sold in the uk is very unlikely to be Cali weed just tins and hype.. But I lived in Netherlands for a while and visited there over the years, tried stuff all over.. Definitely in Amsterdam theres some not so good not properly cured weed for tourists but then at the same time I tried Barneys g13 haze the year it won the cup and it was soooo strong beautifully cured etc.. Never smoked anything like it in the uk or elsewhere in europe weed wise.. The thing about a dutch setup is that they have been growing and keeping mothers since the late 70s if I m correct.. From my experience with seeds it s very dependent on a variety of factors for example i ve never come across good seeds from greenhouse seeds.. Also it really is in the genes so the dutch and the calis can keep the best clones for years.. The amazing thing about Cali and the uk to a certain extent was that they shared the clones whereas in the netherlands there was little sharing as far as I m aware.. re the setups in cali now they can spend huge money on systems without fear of everything being taken away (indoors) whereas in the Netherlands it was never legal only tolerated... In the uk its definitely harder to get away with the growing than netherlands and youll have bigger probs with the law.. In theory with the right mama, the know how and the right equipment you could grow equally as good pot as cali indoors.. But outdoors obviously some if not nearly all strains grow better in Cali.. The thing about Cali also is that so many strains originate from there, there has been such a big grow culture there since the 70s with the back to landers in n cali.. strains like the Haze strains are from 2 brothers (the Haze brothers) and skunk from skunkman sam etc etc the list goes on and on..Nice to see a good ol civilised chat on here.. I just came across this site as I ve been looking for some nice to quality hash.. I used to use dreammarket then nightmare and they exit scammed .. I found a few vendors on dream that sold excellent quality hash very reasonable top grade for approx 280 euro an oz.. when nightmare exited new sites popped up n I went to top rated vendors and bought numerous very nice looking smelling tasting stuff with unoticeable amount of thc so i stopped for last 9 months r year .. I thought i d try again and I found this site .. Has anyone any recommendations for any vendors here for hq hash ? only interested in potent to very potent , long time smoker here.. Thanks peace out

I agree, I've seen plenty for sale on here in the same packaging that's on ebay. If it was from the US it would be compressed into bricks, not loose in tins of 3.5g.

Exactly! Makes no sense to me that any serious smuggler would choose to move weed from California to the UK! Talk about hassle... Coke, meth, anything else moves easier with bigger profit... boggles my mind that people can import wholesale Cali weed in this day and age...

Also, yeah... just go to Calipacks UK on the net and you really do start to question a lot of things....

I'm feeling the biggy love at last... my posts are getting replies... we need a smiley emoji

Ps... let's get this little biggy sexy women thread packed with pics ( see my other posts )

Is this still running?

Did i win?

did you draw a winner? was it me?!

fuck it why not

Who’s not interested in potential free samples!? Ive always wondered what gorilla cookies taste like ;-) Yum! Good luck all :)

Gorilla is my favourite bro! Even if I don’t win can’t wait to purchase when on the wall! Your stuff looks fire ? keep it up bro

Thanks a lot bud :)

Sounds like a good idea to me :)
Makes me smile the thought of Gorillas sitting aroun eating Cookies :)

Hahaha :)

Boom

Sounds good to me.

Win win situation!

Good luck :)

Oohh yeah sounds great!

Good luck :)

nice ;)

Good luck :)

Wow great offer

Good Luck :)

Wow I wasn't expecting such a response!

So much so we have decided to add another 1G to the draw so now there will be TWO lucky winners :)

Good luck guys!

Congrats to 'grumpybloke' who is our first winner, we were feeling generous so decided to add another 1G into the competition.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO WIN AS THE NEXT WINNER ANNOUNCED 22ND SEPTEMBER :)

Who won yesterday? Thanks.

Never received

Bruiser :)

Look out for more give aways!

I like these odds

Good luck mate! :)

You're not wrong bud, good luck! :)

This is an awesome idea.

I probably wont win because I have the worst luck ever.....but thank you for the chance to enter :)

Come on u camt soften up a vendor like that lol ?

Thanks mate, you never know! Good luck :)

Always looking for new vendors for some nice smoke.

You've come to the right place! Good luck :)

Nice Gesture, Gl Biggaz

Thanks mate, good luck! :)

Never won anything before in my life.

Congrats grumpybloke! you're our first winner of the 1 GRAM Gorilla Cookies competition, hopefully this will cheer you up a bit ;) PM us when you're online.

Next winner will be announced on 22nd SEPTEMBER :)

Who knows you could have 1G of Gorilla Cookies next week? haha good luck mate :)

I would love me some cali ❤

Good luck :)

Tough one to decide whether to enter or not!!!! Not!

Good decision mate, I know it wasn't easy ;)

interested is my middle name...

Peace and good herb to you

Good luck mate, hopefully some good herb will be on it’s way to you soon :)

In for defo

Congrats Bruiser, you're our 2nd winner :D

Absolutely delighted to have won, will keep you all informed when it arrives, thanks smokers Inc..

Good luck Bruiser :)

Definitely count me in.

Good luck my man :)

My mum always said if you see a queue join it, count me in ;)

Haha good luck mate!

A chance of free weed bring it !

Good luck Jimmy :)

Would be a lovely wee treat

Good luck mate :)

Would be nice. Thanks.

Good luck man :)

do i need id?

What do you mean?

identification

nice :)

Thanks, good luck! :)

In because why not!

Nothing to lose, everything to gain ;) Good luck!

Exactly buddy! Had gorilla cookies once before and wish I bought more.

You have to try this stuff mate, it beautiful :)

Sounds great.

Thanks mate, good luck! :)

sounds good and looks good!!

Thanks mate, it really is great stuff :)

Looks lovely.. Make some room on that there bandwagon!

Thanks mate, pictures don't do it justice!

Great promo idea. Nice one!

Thanks mate, good luck! :)

Happy days, I would love to try thanks

Good Luck Darren! :)

good plan

Cheers Moose :)

Top Vendor, top quality, top that!

Thanks Shevvy :)

Top idea! Nice one Smokers inc ✌?

Thank you mate! Nice to see so many new faces... Good luck!

Cheers pal! Great to find your page, I’ve now got you bookmarked ??

Lemmie check it out

Good Luck :)

Fingers crossed!

Good luck mate :)

I'm in dude

Good Luck!

what a great iddea and way to get new custom,nice to see a vendor with a brain :)

Ha some might say otherwise! seems to be doing the trick though... I might start doing giveaways more often :)

No offense but it just looks like decent UK bud I don't think Cali would have loose leaf like that

None taken, everyones entitled to their opinion :)

I'd love to toast it in my vaporiser.

Im sure that would go down well, might have to get myself a vape and try it out.