Ed Rosenthal: Paradise Seeds Talks Classic Cannabis Strains

While the hype is always chasing the next big strain, newer doesn’t always
mean better. It’s something that many younger cannabis growers who have
only ever known a ‘developed’ cannabis industry, complete with its myriad
of solutions – from plant care to growing technology to a conveyor belt of
new strains – are starting to realize. The thing is, classic cannabis
strains are called ‘classic’ for good reason. They had what it took to
stand out in the crowd when they were first released and they have stood
the test of time ever since!

*Paradise Seeds* has been around since the mid-nineties and is one of the
most decorated seed companies in Europe with many cannabis cups and awards
accumulated over the years. Paradise’s strain library contains over 40
strains and features sativa, indica, hybrid, autoflower and CBD Rich/High
varieties. Popular strains include Nebula, Delahaze, Wappa, El Dorado Gold,
L.A. Amnesia and Auto Kong ll (from Paradise’s hugely successful
collaboration with Tommy Chong) and CBDRelax and CBDream from the company’s
new CBD range.
[image: Dutch Dragon - Photo by cbi]

Dutch Dragon - Photo by cbi

The company was set up by cannabis breeder, Luc Krol, who is still very
much involved with the breeding process at Paradise. He began growing in
the 1980s and honed his skills in Amsterdam in the early 1990s after moving
to the Dutch capital where he was involved in the vibrant ‘squat scene’
which thrived amongst the many vacant old buildings in the city.

At that time, Amsterdam was a hub for the international cannabis community,
a happy stopover for Europeans and North Americans traveling to exotic
parts of the world. In the city’s coffee shops travelers exchanged seeds
picked up from popular landrace destinations, such as India, Thailand,
Africa, and South America.

*Ed Rosenthal And Luc Krol Go Way Back!*

An avid seed collector, Luc soon began experimenting with growing and then
breeding, taking advantage of whole floor spaces and rooftops of squatted
buildings. Luc remembers these days fondly. “I bought Ed Rosenthal’s first
book that he wrote together with Mel Franks, the Marijuana Growers
Insider's Guide. He inspired me to continue growing cannabis and I learned
a lot from his book and later other books on growing.

A few years later, I met Ed at the High Times Cup - I think it was in 1997
or 1998 - and we have seen each other on many occasions since. We smoked a
nice pure joint together of one of the varieties I was working on (I think
it was Nebula, which went on to win many awards) and we naturally had a
good time. He was really encouraging of my work, which meant a lot to me so
early on in my breeding career. This made it even more special when he was
the one handing me over an award at a HighLife Cannabis Cup sometime later!

At *Paradise*, we think of Ed very highly for his contribution to the
battle for cannabis legalization. He is inspirational on so many levels –
as an advocate for the right to grow your own cannabis plants for
self-sufficiency and of course in terms of his sacrifices for the cause. In
the 2000s, we followed his court case very closely and did what we could,
providing moral and some financial support. It’s very important that those
who are now profiting from legalized cannabis, appreciate the contribution
– and sacrifice – that advocates like Ed made to get to this point.”
[image: Luc Krol at the High Times Cannabis Cup]

Luc Krol at the High Times Cannabis Cup

*Paradise Seeds Classic Strains: Sensi Star, Dutch Dragon, Wappa*

While Ed was battling the Federal authorities in the USA in the 2000s,
Amsterdam was still playing a central role in the world of cannabis as a
safe space for weed and hash consumers to savor their passion in a tolerant
surrounding. The early years of the new century also saw Paradise Seeds
strains such as Belladonna, Dutch Dragon, Spoetnik #1, and Sensi Star
become popular around the world.

Perhaps the most famous of Paradise’s classic strains is *Sensi Star *(90%
Indica). It was once described as the ‘the *strongest Indica *you will
encounter’ Sensi Star still upholds a reputation for extreme potency over
20 years since it was released. It has multiple cannabis cups to its name,
including a supreme double in the form of both High Times and HighLife
cannabis cups in the same year (1999). Over the years it has sired 50+
direct descendants, including Bio-Diesel, Stevie Wonder, and Death Star.
[image: Sensi Star / Indica]

Sensi Star / Indica

Its tremendous oil production makes it a favorite for hash producers (even
in the heart of Morocco’s traditional hash producing regions). In the grow
room it “smells like victory”, laughs Luc. Early flowering produces a
distinctive metal smell that turns lemony at the end. “Her bouquet is
strong and at the same time fresh - like mint, metal and oxygen combined.
And she is so strong, even after all these years she packs a punch that can
compete with the strongest strains out there. ”

*Dutch Dragon *is a fiery Sativa (75%) and the origins of this Paradise
classic go all the way back to 1994 when the company first began. It’s a
plant that loves warmer climates and is renowned for its incredible growth,
which has produced plants of up to 3meters (almost 10ft) in height.
[image: Dutch Dragon / Photo by gbi]

Dutch Dragon / Photo by gbi

“This was one of the first strains we developed as a company,” explains
Luc, “and still remains a Sativa favorite with connoisseurs because it is
an unpretentious plant which grows long and resinous buds that have a
lovely subtly citrus taste – more tangerines than lemons! It’s a wonderful
effect, a really thrilling, soaring ride, like flying on top of dragon
wings!”

By the end of the decade, Paradise had added another classic strain to the
list, in the form of a plant that continues to be one of the company’s most
popular varieties - *Wappa*. Luc describes this 60/40 Indica/Sativa with
Sweet Skunk running through its core as a ‘near-perfect hybrid’.
[image: Wappa]

Wappa

“Strains like Sensi Star provide something unique and beautiful – like the
frosting on top of a cake. Wappa is no such fancy plant, but this plant
would be the essential ingredient that makes you the perfect cake!” Once
harvested and cured, Wappa is notable for its strong but uplifting effect,
bringing relaxation for body and mind alike, which also makes it a popular
medical strain.

“I remember walking into a party with a bag of Wappa soon after it was
released, “ says Luc. “It was such a lovely scent, so sweet, so fruity, and
everybody just kind of stopped what they were doing and started to sniff
the air. It was as if the fragrance lifted the atmosphere of the whole
room. I remember thinking at the time, ‘oh yeah, that’s the Wappa effect!’.

Tim Paradise 2021

https://www.paradise-seeds.com/