Welcome Spring! - our shop in Victoria

It's a lovely day here at the Victoria Seed Bank!

Our Japanese Maple Tree is budding.

Flowers are blooming.

We have young Romanesco (fractal) Broccoli Plants ready to sell.

when they mature, the flowers look like this...

Inside the store we have many interesting plants including 3 year old Peruvian Torch Cactus.

And new arrivals; Coffee Plants! Coffae arabica - Yum! Grows fast and will produce beans once mature.

We also have some new books in stock.

To go with your Poppy seeds, why not pick up a copy of...

In preparation for this years mushroom season, the most comprehensive field guide to psilocybine containing mushroom written by the one and only Paul Stamets...

and we are back in stock with everyone's favorite grow guide:

Hurry in while supplies last!

Our store in Victoria is ope 7 days a week from 11am - 6pm.

Happy spring festival!

-VSB-

Great strains for growing outdoors!

Right now everyone is getting ready for the outdoor gardening season. We at the VSB have a plethora of strongly medicinal Cannabis strains, designed for cultivation outdoors in our cooler Canadian Climate.

~

For those of you living deep in the heart of this country, you know the season can end fast and unexpected. The Canadian Shield provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) are notorious for their fast spring, hot summers, and short lived fall which typically ends sometime in October. You need a strain that is hardy, tolerant of cold weather, and fast to finish before the frost comes.

~

Great White North is a great breeder straight out of Manitoba's North Country. The pride themselves for having some amazingly designed outdoor strains which will not only finish fast, but produce too!

First off, Manitoba Poison is hard to beat when it comes to the perfect outdoor plant. Usually growing around 4 feet tall, this hybrid plant is easy to conceal in the urban garden, and camouflages wonderfully when grown in a special hidden spot. Average yield around 1/4lb per plant. These ladies have a good resistance to mold, and are typically finished outdoors by September 1. 

Another great pick by GWN is their Early Sativa. A compact sativa growing typically 3-4 feet tall, great for guerrilla gardening! These little ladies finish around mid-September and are known to produce some massive buds.

Great White North is a breeder with the northern Canadian's needs in mind. You can learn more about the strains he offers by clicking here: Great White North Seed Co.

~

The Kootenay Territory of BC is a beautiful and lush area with hills and rolling mountains in every direction. What better place to grow a strain bread in the Kootenays, designed for the Kootenay mountains. Kootenay Mountain Seed Co. has 3 'Grizzly' strains ideal for forested mountain regions.

If you are looking for plants that will produce big, the Jumbo Grizzly may be right for you. This is the big one. Large, massive colas. Vigorous tree-like structure. Yields over 1lb based on March 21st start. These grizzly ganja plants can grow up to 8 feet tall, and should finish around late September - Early October. 

Another Kootenay strain ideal for northern outdoor climates is the indica dominant Nepali Grizzly. This bushy, stabilized, Nepali Hashplant will frost over with very potent visible crystals. Typically finishes by mid September at the latest. This plant typically stays between 3-4 feet tall and should produce 3-4oz of highly medicinal bud.

Click here for more info and strains by: Kootenay Mountain Seeds.

~

For us on the west coast, we've been blessed with some amazing genetics and some amazing breeders.

Jordan of the Islands has been breeding on the west coast for decades. He offers some of the best and most sought after BC strains including BC Big Bud, God Bud, Northern BC Skunk, Texada timewarp, and The Purp.

BC Big Bud, is a sativa dominant plant- bred in BC, produces huge potent sativa buds, with fast flowering time (45-55 days).

 BC Big Bud is famous around the world for good reason. It has helped trail blaze BC's reputation for producing some of the best medical cannabis in the world.

Brand new from Jordan, great for outdoors due to its fast flower time and mold resistance, we proudly offer you Blueberry Cough. A cross between Jordan's legendary Blueberry and the infamous 'Strawberry Cough' [haze x strawberry fields].

This indica dominant strain grows medium size with an above average yield. It is very mold and pest resistant and great for first time growers. Great for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.

Jordan of the Islands offers a huge selection of outdoor strains both sativa and indica dominant.
For more info on Jordan strains we at the VSB offer, click here: Jordan of the Islands
or
Check out Jordan's web site at http://jordanoftheislands.ca/

~

Our stock is good right now, so hurry into to either one of our locations (Vancouver or Victoria). We'll help find the strain that is right for your outdoor growing needs.

Happy Planting!
-VSB-

Popular Strains

Often people ask what are the most popular strains we sell. 

Here is a brief list of some of the all time favorites and best sellers:

Both indoor and outdoor growers love Blueberry - by Jordan of the Islands.

Mostly Indica (Indica/Sativa 80/20) dating to the late 1970s. Large producer under optimum conditions.
A dense and stout plant with red, purple and blue hues, usually cures to a lavender blue.
Very fruity aroma and taste of blueberry. Produces a notable and pleasantly euphoric high.
Highest quality and is very long lasting.
Medium to large calyxes.
Long shelf-life, stores well over a long period.
Height 70-100 cm Flowering time 45 - 55 days

We also carry many blueberry crosses which are equally popular and awesome!

~

Next, Dr. Atomic's - Atomic Northern Lights! 

Mostly Indica with surprising sativa potency

Stabilized with great uniformity.

Old School Sensi Seeds genetics from 1990, crossed
over the years with carefully selected NL strains from other European
seed banks.
Strong stone, high yield, and speedy finish.

Flowering: 55 days

~

For the Auto-flower lovers, Solar Warrior's - Early Wonder Skunk is tried and true. If you're looking for FAST, here is where it's at!

 Mostly Indica. Autoflowering! The development of this strain began back in the 70's. The goal was to mature the bud in the heat of the summer, with the potential for two crops a year. The breeding stock was Afghani/Thai for the strong THC, a Hawaiian/Guatemalan for the earliness of the harvest and a Ruderalis for the dense buds and the consistency of the ripening time. Its medium to dark green with a main dominant cola. She has a hashy, skunk smell and sweet skunk flavour.
This strain will treat you with the earliest bud ever.
Height 3 to 4 feet
Flowering time 5 to 6 weeks
Harvest outdoor July 21 to Aug 30

~

A strain that is always in demand for its above average yield and fast flowering time is Cash Crop Ken's - Kish (a blueberry afghani cross).

"This has been the fastest budding plant I have ever worked with. It also has the most crystal of any plant that I have worked with and the hardest nugget buds. As a small plant it likes to grow with one huge cola.
Grown in large pots it still yields well but is best in a high plant per light ratio. This last mother that I used for this particular batch of seed is by far the strongest, tastiest and most resinous I've ever seen!" - CCK.
Height: 5 feet
Flowering time: 42 days
Yield: High
Harvest Outdoor: mid September

~

House of the Great Gardener has several killer strains all worthy of recognition; 

The most popular of which is their famed Jean Guy.

This Quebec-born legend (made famous by the Montreal Compassion Club) is a Sativa dominant. This strong euphoriant has a pungent citrus/skunk smell that is indicative of its strong buzz. Grows quickly with thick lateral branching. Produces heavy colas.
Genetics - Unknown....rumoured to be a white widow pheno.
Variety - Sativa/Indica (60%-40%)
Seed - Feminized
Analysis - THC 25.00%, CBD 1.40%, CBN 0.08%
Flowering time - 10 weeks

House of the Great Gardener are also quite well known for their original strain - Haoma 

This lovely lady is the House of the Great Gardener's flagship strain. She was created to give the Purps a stronger structure, and the best phenotypes were put out to the members of the VICS to choose their favorite. By popular demand we created an Indica dominant cross with a super fruity aroma. She flowers early with small but heavy tight nugs.

Genetics - Purps (f) X Afghani (m) Variety
Indica/Sativa (70% - 30%)
Seed - Regular
Analysis - THC 14.00% CBD 0.20% CBN 0.40%
Flowering time - 7 to 8 weeks

• 1st place 2011 Treating Yourself Expo - Compassion Club category
• 2nd place 2011 High Times Cup - Concentrate category......as part of the Hydra Hash
• 3rd place 2012 Treating Yourself Expo - Seed Company Indica category

~

The list goes on, but these are just a few of what's hot right now!

Come into the shop and chat with us about more amazing strains. We're more than happy to find a strain that will work for you and your needs. 

Diverse genetics are key to maintaining a variety of unique strains which will offer a plethora of medical benefits for everyone's unique medical needs. No one strain is right for everyone. Lets keep these vital genetics alive and evolving for generations to come.

From the great white north . . .

Great White North Seed Company

Born and bred in the biting outdoor chill of Manitoba.  

An outstanding and reliable company, known for great outdoor genetics. They offer several different strains that will suit anyones taste and needs for outdoor climates.

Manitoba Poison 

Indica/Sativa.

Very purple buds, from pure south African seedlines. 

Good mold resistance.

Height 4 ft

Flowering time 6 to 7 weeks

Yield 1/4 lb

Harvest outdoor September 1

Lethal Purple

Outdoor Indica

This plant goes totally deep purple in the fall. 

Good for camouflage with fall colours.

High yield and strong perfume smell with sweet flavour and strong stone.

Mid to late September, 5 - 6 ft.

Visit the Great White North Seed Company's section on our website to see everything they have to offer.  It's not too early to get ready for Spring!

Holiday Hours

We hope you are having a festive Holiday Season

Here's our hours of operation during the time of Solstice:

The Vancouver Seed Bank will be closed Christmas Day.

We'll be OPEN for New Years Eve until 4:20 and Noon to 6pm New Years Day. 

Feel free to contact them directly by phone at 778 329 1930

The Victoria Shop location will be closed 

from December 25th to the 27th and back to our regular hours on the 28th.  

Contact them by phone for details at 250 380 1385.

Have an awesome holiday!  

Thank you for making 2012 a success for seed preservation and genetic diversity.  

We look forward to more urban renewal and 

self sustainability in the 2013.

MUSHROOM SOAP!!!

New to the seed bank we are selling locally crafted, all natural, vegan, biodegradable, medicinal, and amazingly wonderful Mushroom, Hemp, and Herbal Soap!

Varieties include:

Pine Mushroom with Cinnamon, Clove and Raw Cacao

Yellow Chanterelle with Ginger and Rosemary

Chaga and Birch Bark with Tea tree oil

Flower Power with Calendula, St. Johns wort, Lavender, Sunflower, and Bergamot

Hemp & Hops with Mandarin orange essential oil

Each mushroom and herb selected has been carefully chosen for its medicinal qualities for healing and conditioning the skin. 

The mushrooms and herbs are either wild crafted on south Vancouver island, or grown in the soap crafter's herb garden.

Bars cost $8 each or 2 for $15

Pop into our Victoria location to learn more!

We in Victoria sell many interesting live plants...

It's Mushroom season

It's Mushroom season on the west coast.

We at the Victoria Seed Bank are happy to be carrying several books by Paul Stamets.

Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms is the most comprehensive cultivation guide out today.

Mycelium Running - How mushrooms can help save the world, covers myco-remediation, medicinal mushrooms, mycorrhizal forest recovery, and many more mind blowing revolutionary ideas.

Mycomedicinals - a practical handbook for medicinal mushrooms and what they can be used for.

A great guide to myco-medicine as a practical everyday alternative to pharmaceutical main-stream medicine. Lots of good info!

Paul Stamets brings hope for the future. Mushrooms CAN and likely will save the world.

Come down to the store and talk fungi with us!

-VSB-

Rainy days... Lemon Haze

Nothing like a nice Haze to brake the gloom of those rainy days.

Atomic Haze by Dr. Atomic

Super Lemon Haze by Greenhouse

Atomical Haze by Paradise

Enjoy the rain! Nothing like a cozy, Vancouver Island Fall.

Welcome Chimera & Viva DJ Short!

New to the Victoria Seed Bank, we gratefully welcome Chimera Seeds to our menu, and welcome back the one and only DJ Short, who has been teaming up with Chimera to 

create some new amazing hybrids.

Schnazzleberry #2

Breeder: Chimera Seeds/DJ Short Joint Project

From the same mother as the original super-stoney Schnazzleberry. Perfect for SCROG or bush gardens. Expect bud-laden branches with a healthy stretch when flowered. Ripening of the large calyxes and huge dark amber trichomes kicks into full force at 45-50 days. Additional days add intensity to the already numbing high. Excellent for vaporization and production of connoisseur quality black hash.

Parents: The Dom (Blue Domino) x DJ Short Blueberry
Flowering: 50-60 days / Early-October
Height: 60-90 cm / 120+ cm
Yield: 680 gr / 570 gr

~

C-Plus

Mothered Chimera's legendary 25+ yr old California Orange clone, and fathered by DJ Short’s Blueberry. This large producing hybrid adapts well to most growing environments, and prefers a mild diet. The last 2 weeks of this plant’s life will impress with the huge swelling of calyxes into light green bundles of frost. Excellent daytime smoke with an inspiring and creative high. Pleasant bittersweet orange soda flavor

Flowering Indoor: 50-60 days
Harvesting Outdoor: Early to Mid-October
Height Indoor: 60-90 cm
Height Outdoor: 120+ cm

~

The future of Cannabis genetics looks better than ever!

-VSB-

Happy Fall from all of us at the VSB!

DNA's 60 Day Wonder - Auto-flower, in Autumn bloom.

Please visit sensiblebc.ca and register to vote in the upcoming referendum
 to decriminalize cannabis in

British Columbia.

kalashnikova.... CHECK THIS OUT!

A recent strain brought to us in Victoria from none other than the legendary Greenhouse Seeds has once again blown our minds! 

Kalashnikova a.k.a. White Widow x AK-47

2 amazing parent strains, both dank as hell, and solid producers. Ideal for pain management. 

These genetics have an unbeatable price of only $35 for 5 fem seeds!

And as always, we guarantee our seeds will be viable.

This strain is usually sold out within a week of it's arrival, so grab it while you can. 

Have a lovely weekend :D

The truth about weeds

Anyone of us with a basic knowledge of herbal medicine knows that nature is full of endless potential for healing. Almost every plant out there has medicinal properties, especially within the category of those considered weeds.

~

Dandelions are considered by many to be a very invasive plant. Most people dread removing them from their lawns and gardens, and some people even turn to herbicide to get rid of them! It's an unfortunate mind set that is in dire need of reconsideration. 

 

Dandelion root has been used for centuries in tea and tincture as a powerful liver and kidney tonic. The leafy greens can be used in salad, soups, or cooked as a side dish similarly to spinach. They are very high in vitamins A & C, Calcium, and Iron- surpassing spinach in its Iron content.

 The yellow flowers are used to make dandelion jam and wine. They can also be infused into oil which is then used as a topical medicine for muscle and joint pain, sprains, bruises, cuts and scrapes, burns, and dry skin. Dandelions may no have originated in North America, but the little (to no) harm they may cause is virtually nothing when compared to the amazing healing powers they possess.

Want to live a long healthy life? Quit spraying your dandelions with cancer causing chemicals, and start making tea out of their roots instead.

~

Another amazing plant commonly mislabeled as a weed is the Milk Thistle.

The Milk Thistle is entirely edible, though requires a little grooming first to remove it's pointy spikes. In the 16th century this plant was a common sight at meal time. It can be boiled, baked, fried, or eaten raw. Today it is more commonly used in herbal medicine as a very strong liver tonic.

 

It can usually be purchased in tincture form at your local organic food, or herbal medicine store.

It is the seeds of the plant which are utilized medicinally. Research suggests that milk thistle extract both prevents and repairs damage to the liver from toxic chemicals and medications. In fact it has proven so efficient, that if administered within 48 hours of ingesting a deadly Amanita mushroom (Death Cap), it can detoxify a persons liver not only to the point of survival, but to the point at which their liver is virtually undamaged by the deadly toxic mushroom! 

It is astounding to think that such an abundant and powerful herbal medicine has been outlawed. 

~

The list of Herbal medicines outlawed as weeds grows longer every year. A few other harmless yet amazingly edible and/or medicinal 'weeds' include; Burdock, Chicory, Chickweed, Cleavers, Lamb's Quarters, Mullein, and even the legendary St. John's Wort is not welcomed by the B.C. government. Understandably, some plants considered weeds are legitimately invasive and down-right dangerous to an eco-system. Those such as Knapweed, and Scottish broom have proven themselves devastating to the B.C. environment, and have very little practical use. It's hard to accept that plants of this destructive magnitude are considered ecologically on par with our friend and ally; the dandelion.

So next time you look out at your yard or garden and think, 'why are there so many weeds'?, perhaps instead you should be asking yourself, 'Have I eaten enough greens lately'?

~

VIVE les mauvaises herbes!