The Black by Unknown or Legendary
2 other breeders' versions of The Black — compare flowering times side by side →
When you start talking about The Black, you're stepping into some of the muddiest, most contested history in the cannabis scene. Most folks attribute it to BC Bud Depot, who commercialized it as an old-school Vancouver Island and California cut from the 80s, but heads over on Overgrow and the old Deep Ellum Seed Company circles will fight you tooth and nail on that. They claim the original cut was bred by an underground figure named "The Doctor" around 2005, and BC Bud Depot just snatched the genetics. Some of the older graybeards even whisper it's descended from a raw Vietnamese landrace brought back in the 70s, though the most widely accepted lineage points to an Afghani crossed with a Mexican landrace—specifically from Michoacán or Oaxaca. Either way, trying to pin down its exact origins is like trying to nail jelly to a wall.
But man, once you pop those beans or run a verified clone, the mystery takes a backseat to the pure visual spectacle. The Black isn't just dark purple; under the right conditions, especially when you drop those nighttime temps in late flower, she turns a literal, glossy jet black. We're talking such heavy anthocyanin production that the leaves look like they were dipped in motor oil. Growers always mention how short and dense she stays, forming classic indica baseball-bat colas that practically drip with resin. The smell is a heavy, earthy musk mixed with a sweet, dark berry undertone that coats the room the second you crack a jar.
As for the smoke, this is not a daytime functional strain. The Black delivers a devastating, heavy-handed indica wallop that’s been sought after by medical patients and heavy stoners for decades. It locks you to the couch and melts away whatever aches or insomnia you’re carrying. Just don't confuse it with all the modern "Black" hybrids floating around today, like Black Runtz or Black D.O.G. True vintage The Black is a completely different beast, and getting your hands on a genuine cut is a real badge of honor in any serious grower's garden.
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Growing The Black: what to expect
As a hybrid, expect a moderate stretch after the flip (around 100%) — but watch the plant, not the label: phenotypes within The Black can lean either direction. Whatever the listing says, the cut in YOUR tent is the ground truth: log feedings, readings, and photos, and let the trends — not the label — drive decisions.
The Black FAQ
Is The Black an indica or a sativa?
The breeder doesn't specify — treat it as a hybrid and read the plant.
What environment does The Black like?
Standard cannabis bands work well: VPD 0.8–1.1 kPa in veg and 1.0–1.4 kPa in flower, with humidity stepping down from 65–75% as a seedling to 40–50% in late flower. See the stage-by-stage table on this page.
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Facts compiled from public breeder listings. Growing The Black? A structured journal — with your feedings, readings, and photos — is how you find what THIS cut actually wants.
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