Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dave Perkins, CEO of the family-owned brand Budularo, whose 3,000 sq ft greenhouse in Mendocino, California, specializes in growing long-flowering cannabis varieties. Dave’s passion for long-flowering cannabis was sparked by his father-in-law, Tony, a legacy grower with over 50 years of experience, who made a surprise appearance and shared the origin of the "Budularo" name.
At the heart of our discussion was the "Pearls" variety, a unique phenotype of the Destroyer strain (Thai/Colombian/Mexican) that Tony had been searching for since the 1970s, seeking to replicate the transcendent experience of old-school Thai stick. These plants, which can take up to 18 weeks to flower (twice as long as modern hybrids) followed by up to nine-months to cure, produce long, delicate stems with small, resin-covered buds.
So why go to all this trouble with extended flowering and curing times? The answer, as both Dave and Tony testified, lies in the development of complex cannabinoid and terpene profiles, resulting in a unique spectrum of flavors—from gassy and diesel to sweet and piney—and effects that are unattainable in faster-finishing strains. They described these varieties as "sipping weed," perfect for creative pursuits and offering profound medicinal benefits for conditions like MS and depression. Their work is a reminder that in the world of cannabis, sometimes the most rewarding experiences come to those who are willing to wait.
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