“I absolutely need this one!” It’s rare that a seasoned grower like The Doc is struck by such a profound desire to acquire a new cannabis variety.
Barney’s Farm’s “Ayahuasca Purple” instantly captivated him with its tantalizingly exotic allure reflected in its name and lineage. The Doc mistakenly believed that the name “Ayahuasca” (a hallucinogenic South American concoction) hinted at South American genetics.
However, it was a North Vietnamese plant from the Red River Delta that lent Ayahuasca Purple its exotic charisma.
Years back, Barney’s Farm received this plant as a gift. Upon cultivation, they discovered its stunning aesthetic appeal – a mesmerizing play of violet and ruby-red hues. A cross with the classical Master Kush produced an almost 100% Indica hybrid, boasting a THC level exceeding 20%.
The Ayahuasca Purple inherited the captivating colors of its Red River Delta ancestor and, thanks to its bounty of sizable, dense buds, can yield up to 650 g/m2 within a 55-65 day flowering period. Under natural light, it matures by the third or fourth week of September, making it an excellent outdoor performer.
As one would expect from a superior indica, Ayahuasca Purple induces a potent sedative effect that doesn’t overwhelm but instead imparts a sense of light-heartedness and potential social ease. Flavor-wise, Barney’s Farm reports notes of lavender, mango, and hazelnut, while a delightful papaya scent is the standout in an olfactory profile that also includes earthy and pungent notes.
Growth Pattern Surprise
Upon receiving his Ayahuasca Purple seeds, The Doc was quick to commend Barney’s packaging approach: “These blisters are fantastic, secure and transparent, just as they should be!” In under three days, the sown seeds sprouted and exhibited rapid growth.
Two weeks into the vegetative phase, The Doc observed an unusually vigorous growth and early branching out for a 100% Indica, demonstrating an open structure due to significant internodal spacing. He was delighted, noting that such growth patterns allow more light to reach the side tops and branch axils, promoting substantial bud growth.
To his surprise, the shade leaves were thinner than he anticipated for an Indica. After three weeks in the vegetative stage, The Doc transitioned the plants into flower mode, adjusting the lights from 18/6 to 12/12. At this point, the plants stood 37 and 41 cm tall.
The Flowering Stage – A Colorful Explosion and Crystal Show
Three weeks into the flowering stage, The Doc was thrilled: “I’m absolutely delighted with these plants’ performance. Their strong instinct to stretch has continued into early flowering, with one already turning purple! On the many long branches, numerous dense flower clusters are emerging and growing by the day.”
Three weeks later, he continued:
“These plants have stretched continuously, nearly tripling their height, which is unusual for a 100% Indica. Their leaves and buds showcase a color spectrum from red to violet – a feast for the eyes!
By now, Ayahuasca Purple has already fulfilled the color promise of its name. Its buds also stray from typical Indica characteristics with a high calyx to leaf ratio.
Their beauty is enhanced by flowers and sugar leaves covered in a stellar blanket of resin glands. But the charm of this strain doesn’t stop with the eyes; it also tickles the nose. The buds emit an unusual primarily fruity-tropical scent, underscored by a spicy, earthy note with a hint of gasoline.“
Final Weeks: Color Contrasts, Timely Finish, and Resinous Buds
As expected, in the remaining weeks, the buds became heavily dusted with a flurry of icy crystals. After 60 days of flowering, The Doc declared them ripe: “Indeed, their dense buds have become impressively resinous!
The incredible resin richness is a feast for the eyes, especially given its beautiful contrast with the dark red and violet hues that have intensified towards the end. Only a few of the small sugar leaves remain green. Their vigorous stretch resulted in final heights of 90 and 115 cm, significantly taller than expected considering their Indica lineage.”
Post-drying – Ayahuasca Purple Joins the 100-gram Club
The two plants yielded a total dry weight of 203 grams, securing Ayahuasca Purple’s place in the 100-gram club.
After drying, The Doc noticed a hazelnut aroma emerging from the previously earthy smelling buds, a transformation he hadn’t seen in a cannabis plant before.
They retained their tropical sweet fruit essence. “Frankly, I don’t know how papaya smells, I would need to buy one first… But I can easily imagine labeling these fragrant buds as such,” The Doc speculated. He left a few medium-sized flower leaves on the buds, wrapping them around the frosty flower clusters like violet claws – these nugs indeed had that extra something!
Smoking Ayahuasca Purple – Happy Sedation
The dense smoke The Doc inhaled when testing the strain brought about a two-phase taste sensation: fruity-sweet on the inhale, spicy-nutty on the exhale, and in the lingering aftertaste. “Very special! And, especially tasty!” praised The Doc.
After three tokes, a wave of euphoria swept over him, not invigorating but gently warming the soul in a classic Indica way.
The physical effects were also strong, with the Ayahuasca Purple Indica stone washing over his limbs and muscles like a massage roller, inducing deep relaxation and a feeling of ultimate comfort. While highly relaxed, he was still sociable and spontaneously joined a neighbor’s party, making for a fun-filled evening.
“This is probably the most extraordinary Indica I’ve ever grown,” he concluded, “with its unusual stretching, high calyx-to-leaf ratio, vibrant colors, unique fruity-nutty flavor, and high yield coupled with a marvelous effect. What more could an Indica lover desire?“
| Genetics | Ayahuasca Purple (Red River Delta x Master Kush) |
| Vegetative stage | three weeks (after germination) |
| Flowering stage | 60 days / 55-65 days in general |
| Medium | Plagron Grow Mix soil, 11 litre pots |
| pH | 6.2-6.6 |
| EC | 1.2–1.8 mS |
| Light | up to 8 x SANlight Q6W = 1720 watts |
| Temperature | 19-28°C |
| Air humidity | 40-60% |
| Watering | by hand |
| Fertilisation | Organic Bloom Liquid from Green Buzz Liquids |
| Additives/stimulants | Living Organics, More Roots, Humin Säure Plus, Big Fruits, Fast Buds and Clean Fruits from Green Buzz Liquids |
| Tools | CleanLight Pro for mould prevention |
| Height | 90 + 115 cm |
| Yield | together, 203 grams |
