Purps – Canadiana Cultivar Exploration
Canadian Cultivars from Coast to Coast
Explore Canada’s storied cannabis history and unique Canadian cultivars with Spiritleaf’s Canadiana.
This week we’re exploring the history and lineage of the BC bred strain – Purps and how you can get your hands on this Canadian icon.
Canada is proud to be the second country and the first of the G7 and G20 nations to legalize recreational cannabis use. Those who work in the industry take the responsibility seriously, realizing that the success of this new industry sets a standard for other countries.
Beyond the cult Canadian strains is also a storied Canadian cannabis history. We’ve come a long way in terms of shifting stigmas and giving cannabis the platform it deserves while providing amazing cannabis innovations along the way. Growers have developed state-of-the-art systems to provide legacy quality cannabis and craft cannabis cultivars. But there is still so much to explore.
Cultivar Regional exploration and history
Purps is another cultivar hailing from the BC region. No surprise there, as we all know and love BC Bud.
But why is BC Bud so renowned? The region has a worldwide reputation for amazing cannabis even with a much less lengthy regional history compared to other prominent cannabis regions. With no true landraces, BC became a melting ground, shaped by those driven to the space, much like Canada as a whole.
The cannabis counterculture bloomed in the 70s, with a laxer approach (in comparison to national) to cannabis enforcement and a larger community acceptance meant legacy grows flourished. This time of experimentation let growers hone their craft over a longer period than other Canadian regions, which gave BC Bud cultivars a running start in developing their global cannabis prominence. So, look out world, because with legal cannabis booming here in Canada, we can’t wait to see what other provinces breed and innovate.
All of that said, beyond the storied history in BC, this region is known to have much more temperate climates, which also aids in their ability to grow this high-maintenance plant. This is also why we see a flourishing wine industry and longer farming seasons in BC.
Genetic notes and Lineage
The Purps lineage is somewhat of a mystery. A cross of Mendocino Purps from California and an unknown landrace leads to the allure of this strain. However, understanding the Mendocino Purps strain can help us understand part of the lineage of this Canadian cultivar.
Mendocino Purps is an Indica-dominant strain with calming effects. It has a complex flavor profile as well as a moderately potent THC level of 20%.
Purps, also known as “The Purps” or “Mendocino Purps,” is a slightly Indica dominant hybrid (60% Indica/40% Sativa) strain with unknown parentage due to a high level of breeder secrecy regarding it. Despite this fact, Purps has a fantastic reputation among cannabis users across the country and has even been named as the High Times’ Strain of the Year in 2007. Each nug is dusted with lavender-coloured crystal trichomes that add to the overall purple color. Purps has a sweet fruity flavor of berries and grapes with just a touch of spicy strawberry and earth.
Mendocino Purps, nicknamed The Purps, is a worldwide legend for that peaceful easy feeling. The strain takes its name from Mendocino County in Northern California where it began as a clone-only plant. However, The BC Bud Depot went on to develop a stable cross that provided seeds, which is likely where this strain took on its place in Canadian history.
Featured Cultivar: Canaca Purps
Canaca’s cannabis is carefully bred in British Columbia and lovingly cultivated in a sun-filled greenhouse in Ontario to create a flavourful, hand-harvested cannabis experience for all Canadians to enjoy.
Canaca Purps is a hybrid strain with a strong floral flavour and hints of sweet fruit and pine. Originating from an unknown landrace and sharing genetic lineage with Mendocino Purps from Northern California, these frosted green buds have a mix of green hues with orange pistils and are loaded with ample trichome coverage.
Its dominant terpenes include Caryophyllene, Cederene, Bisabolol, giving the strain a floral, sweet and lightly spicy aroma and taste.
Grab a taste of Canadiana at a Spiritleaf near you!
