Egyptian Sinai Heirloom Project 2015 - 2025

Ever since I learned that cannabis was central to many mystical traditions of ancient Egypt, as well as the Holy Sacrament of Moses, I knew I was destined to secure some Egyptian seeds. After a few years of searching, they found me via  The Real Seed Company. A seed source, dedicated to preserving “landrace” cannabis genetics, usually collected directly from the source. Their website described the variety as being collected in Sinai Egypt during the years 1990-1997. The scent was described as “tangy, rose, with indica hashy notes that ranged from sweet and floral, to ammonia or cat urine. Flowering was said to begin early with some finishing times occurring in late August/early September. The term that was used to described this was semi-autoflower. Expected height was 0.6-1.8 meters (2-6ft), with the taller plants having airy flowers and the shorter plants having denser ones. Being from North Africa the strain has adapted to the harsh environment of the Egyptian mountains which can be extremely hot and then near freezing in the winter. The bedouin who cultivate this variety normally only use camel dung to fertilize and occasionally bring in mud from the Nile.

Hoping that the modern descendants of Egyptian cannabis might hold the key to the ecstatic, blissful states described in the Old Testament. I set forth with the first crop, focusing on selecting spiritually stimulating females, while maintaining open pollination for the health of this line.

The first grow showed me short and tall plants with buds ranging from extremely airy and wispy, to denser and more full but still somewhat open and loose. The resin content was low to moderate and consisted of very small glandular trichomes. They seemed much smaller than what I was used to from prior strains. Smells ranged from sharp and acrid, with citrus & incense, to sweet, floral, and fruity, with incense. The effects were mellow and relaxing, slightly stimulating, and mediative. I felt if the Sinai was subjected to rigorous selection as is performed in the renowned hash producing areas of Morocco and Lebanon that it could be on par with these more famous sources. Thus began my journey into intentional selection of this variety and it has been a very rewarding 10 years.

Within the first two years, I began to see that some plants had better overall resin coverage and though the glands still remained small. They carried a floral, peachy, incense funk and an even more pronounced meditative stone, that is centering, heart opening, increases self awareness & mindfulness. It was an experience that felt very real, like a lucid dream, where I was relaxed yet alert. Open in mind and heart, aware of the barrier between me and the world becoming thinner. At higher doses, these effects deepened and became psychedelic. This was what I had been waiting for. From that experience onward, I only selected seeds from plants that had this effect, aesthetics and yields took a back seat. I wanted to narrow down this effect before working on any other traits. As the years passed the Egyptian evolved, producing better resin coverage, stronger expressions, and more consistent Peachy and Floral scents. I consistently kept all healthy males and females in every generation as to keep the biodiversity high and thus preserve the biodiverstiy, health and longevity of this heirloom variety.

I began to wonder if they had deviated from their hardy desert roots, since I kept pampering them with well rounded nutrients, ample water, and a cozy environment. Wanting to test this line in a harsher environment. I collaborated with a friend who possessed land in a dry river bed. In the Spring of 2023 I began a project focoused on testing the reslience of this line.

As previously stated, my prior crops were grown in with containers, or raised beds. These were always amended with organic fertilizers akin to “Subcool’s Super Soil” and variations of that growing style. They always had plenty of water were carefully looked after. My intention was to evaluate how well this selected Sinai, would adapt to a harsh desert like environment. Being minimally watered, fed, and trained. I was blessed that my friends land featured a nearby creek, sandy soil, and full sunlight. Our cultivation site was in around 34N USDA Zone 9B and would break 100F regularly in the summer. The water from the creek was pumped to the greenhouse at the start of the season. However, the pump kept breaking down and so I was forced to spend the majority of the grow manually filling 5 gallon buckets with creek water and carrying to the plants. This would take considerable time and effort so I was forced to water as minimally as possible. Each plant recieved around 1 - 1.5 gallons of water every few days. Which was not much considering how hot the greenhouse would get and the sandy soil did not retain moisture well.

I started over 60 seeds in small pots filled with light potting soil. When sprouted around May, this variety finishes anywhere between late August and mid October, depending on how ripe you want the trichomes. The location I chose for the 20’x10’ greenhouse was inhabited by California Sagebrush bushes. I spent an afternoon clearing out the brush and leveling the grow site. Once the greenhouse was erected I set about spreading out a 2 inch layer of aged compost as a mulch layer. Once the seedlings were a few inches tall, I planted them in the sand.

This was amended with aged horse manure, mixed with straw and wood shavings and watered from the creek lightly. The only food they received other than this, was a lightly dusting of chicken manure, and Down To Earth’s Bio Live. The plants grew rapidly, and only received light training, in the form of pinching. I would lightly break the top stems of each branch to help the plants open up more and to try to control the height as I was growing inside of a 7 foot tall greenhouse. Some grew so tall that I had to bend them down to stop them from pressing into the roof. Others were quite short, only being around 3 - 4.5 feet tall. The taller ones, left unbroken, would likely end up around 7 - 7.5 feet. During the first month and a half of vigorous growth I culled a handful of slow and weak plants, as well as some that were showing signs of nutrient lockout. The owner of the land informed me that lab tests of his water showed high levels of iron which could cause such issues. The remaining plants were vibrant and healthy. I was very grateful for the opportunity to weed out weaker expressions that could not adapt to the heavy water and harsh environment. After a light pollination from all the males was complete, I removed said males and allowed for the females to produce a lightly seeded crop. The remaining females numbered 36 in total.

As they began to flower, I looked at the specimens that flowered quickest, now that I consistently find the effect I desire, I used this season to look more at speed, and yield. Knowing that this line is semi autoflower and can finish early, I wanted to explore earlier expressions capable of producing top grade herb.

Some specimens stood out, like #11, which showcased, early flowers, large frame, intense vigor, large buds with a high yield. The flowers were light and airy but thick and long, with gorgeous pink stigmas. In fact a large portion of these seeds produced pink stigma variants. I noticed that the pink flowers have a stronger pungent peachy flower incense odor. Some express the pungent peach as rotting fruit, or peach with a yeasty undertone, and a few had no funk but just sweet peach. For all these reasons, the pink haired expressions have become some of my favorites.

One of the fastest to flower was #7 and she produced a hearty harvest for such a small plant and once cured via light fermentation. The flowers took on a light golden brown hue and produced the meditative, centered effect, that in larger amounts produced a psychedelic experience that took around 45 mins to build up after smoking and lasted for multiple hours. She possessed a peachy, citrus, incense and old man cologne/soap scent. A beautiful open structure of airy but tightly knit buds, with minimal branching. This one became a fast favorite because of the effect she produced.

Numbers #28 and #29 were very similar, they had smaller yields, and had a strong citrus based scent with backings of peach flowers, and a strong nose burning plastic note. These produced an effect that came on quick and powerful. While the yield is smaller, the potency and quality is spectacular.

There were many standout specimens and it is from the few mentioned above and a handful of others, that my breeding will continue. I plan to focus on pink stigmas, the meditative, heart opening, spiritual effects, quick flower onset, and vigor. Various longer flowering specimens, and two narrow leafed variants with scents reminiscent of peach flowers and Irish Springs Soap, were collected and will be stored for deeper study at a later date. All the plants in this grow performed beyond expectation, and I am very excited to know that they can tolerate such intense heat, lack of water and food, and still produce good yields and quality flowers. When pampered, these plants can perform even better, but my 2023 experiment proved an extremely simple setup can be more than substantial. I collected some of the preflower calyx seeds from the #11 mother as soon as they ripened and planted them in my personal garden in August of 2023. Even though it was late in the season they sprouted within 3 days and grew vigorously. Out of the handful of seedlings, some succumbed to pill bugs and others were culled in favor of a hearty female that grew to an impressive 5 ft and finished in October. I labeled her 11:11 and she produced a strong main cola with a ring of secondary branches filled with dense foxtailed flowers. The scent was heavy Tangerine with hints of peach flowers and an astringent tinge. I was so impressed with this specimen that I used her as the mother in my 2023 Nigerian breeding project.

The offspring of that cross were also expressed the tangerine citrus aroma. Everytime I have used the Egyptain in hybrid projects, they express many dominating traits in the resulting progenies, and have proven to be a valuable breeding asset. 2024 was spent growing out and sampling the pure Sinai offspring of #11 and #7. A new breeding project is underway for 2025 and will consist of #11 seeds as well as #29 from 2023. As these were open pollinated I am excited to see which variations will present themselves. This garden will be at a higher altitude, so this will be a good chance to see how the plants express themselves. I plant to post updates in the future reagarding the 2025 Egyptian project.

I am eternally grateful to all those who came before me and carried this strain into the modern age. Without them, my research would not be possible, it is because of their efforts that I am able to enjoy and share my efforts with others. If you are interested in experiencing what this sacred teacher has to offer, please consider picking up a pack. It is my intention that all who receive these seeds, experience the oneness that unites us all. We are all in this world together to help each other succeed. As we pool our efforts together, we can create lasting impact and change. May this plant teacher, help you as much as it has helped me.

Namaste,

Baba

Lokah Samastah Sukinho Bhavantu