Skunk XL: The Foundational Cannabis Hybrid Lives On

A Super Skunk Passed Down From Skunk #1

The breeders at Royal Queen Seeds created Skunk XL by backcrossing the legendary Skunk with ancestors from her own lineage. She’s the progeny of Skunk #1 and Afghan, emerging from the cross with 50% sativa genetics and 50% indica.

The legendary Skunk was first developed in the 1970s by famed breeder Sam the Skunkman, who utilised an international blend of landrace genetics—Acapulco Gold, Colombian Gold, and Afghan. During the 1980s, Sam travelled to Europe’s bustling cannabis hotspot: the Netherlands. With seeds in pocket, he managed to sell some of his genetics to big names in the breeding industry, including Nevil Schoenmakers.

It didn’t take long for ambitious breeders to use these new genetics as the foundation for many soon-to-be famous hybrids, firmly placing the word “Skunk” in the cannabis lexicon. Breeders quickly fell in love with the reliability and homogeneity of the original strains. So much so that modern cannabis breeders often infuse novel hybrids with varying amounts of Skunk genetics to ensure a robust final product.

Skunk XL

Skunk XL

	Skunk 1 x Afghan
	600 - 650 gr/m2
	60 - 100 cm
	8 - 9 weeks
	THC: 17%

	Sativa 50% Indica 50%
	625 - 675 gr/plant
	160 - 200 cm
	October
	Balanced, Clear, Stoned

Buy Skunk XL

Although there have been a great number of Skunk phenotypes, some of which became famous in their own right (Exodus Cheese, we're talking about you), there are two main varieties on the market today: Sweet Skunk and Roadkill Skunk.

The former derives from Sam the Skunkman’s variety, a sativa-leaning hybrid. The latter is a variety developed by Nevil Schoenmakers, which leans more toward the Afghan indica side. If a hybrid was developed using genuine Skunk genetics, it will contain some degree of one or both of these Skunk subtypes.

Skunk: awards

Unsurprisingly, Skunk has won many awards ever since the strain burst onto the scene. She won 1st place at the High Times Cannabis Cup 1988 in the category Cannabis Cup/Best Cannabis. Despite being around for almost four decades, Skunk continues to rake in the prizes at various cannabis competitions around the world, such as the 13th AMEC Cup (Asociación Madrileña de Estudios sobre el Cannabis) in Spain in 2009, where she was the overall winner in the “Best Strain” category, and where she also won 1st prize in the appearance and flavour categories.

Skunk XL: growing attributes

The outstanding qualities of Skunk XL by RQS, namely its reliability and stability, make growing the strain an easy endeavour. Owing to its Afghani genetics, Skunk is a vigorous specimen that develops dark green leaves, strong branches, and a robust main cola. Grown indoors, the plant will stay at a compact height of 60–100cm—just ideal for pretty much any tent or grow space. Outdoors, she can get as tall as 160–200cm. Despite her sativa half, Skunk XL doesn’t stretch much during flowering, and is otherwise a very low-maintenance plant that adapts easily to all kinds of environments. You can grow her in soil and hydro, and can see great results using SOG or ScrOG techniques.

Skunk XL has a good natural resistance to mould, which is thought to be due to the strain’s high calyx-to-leaf ratio, which favours good airflow around the plant. Moreover, it makes her easy to trim come harvest. Indoors, in good conditions, you can look forward to as much as 600–650g/m². Grow Skunk XL outdoors, preferably in a warm and sunny climate, and the strain will yield as much as 675g/plant. If you grow her in a colder climate, such as in the UK or the Netherlands, a greenhouse or indoor grow is recommended for best results.

Her flowering time is a reasonably short 7–8 weeks, although a couple of weeks more can be beneficial if you want to max out the strain’s flavour and potency. Overall, Skunk XL is an easy and uncomplicated strain to grow, which makes her a good choice for beginners to the art of cannabis cultivation.

Skunk XL: effects

When you smoke Skunk XL, she offers a wonderfully balanced effect thanks to her 50% indica, 50% sativa genetics. Like a good indica, she provides a strong body high that is extremely relaxing and calming, but without the heavy “couch-lock” effect that comes along with some other indicas. From her sativa side, she initiates an uplifting and euphoric head buzz, so her effect is more energetic and not as narcotic as some other balanced hybrids. The combined indica-sativa power of Skunk XL makes her a great smoke for all kinds of occasions—superb if you want to chill alone or with friends, and great to enjoy at any time—day or night.

Skunk XL is also a good cannabis strain for medicinal users seeking both physical and cerebral effects that are neither overwhelming nor too understated.

Skunk XL: aroma and flavour

The original Skunk had a pungent scent that gave the strain her iconic name—a “stinky” smell that strongly resembled the unmistakable stench from a skunk. Modern Skunk varieties still have a very intense aroma, which is perhaps best described as both sweet and stinky, with earthy and subtle citrus notes. Unlike the name suggests, the aroma is not off-putting, but is cherished by cannabis aficionados who are immediately revitalised by the iconic smell. Just make sure that you have good air filtration in place if you want to grow Skunk XL indoors. Very similar to her aroma is her taste. Smoke her, and Skunk XL pleases with a sweet, fruity flavour with some evident notes of earth. A highly enjoyable smoke that can make it difficult to put her down once you get your first few hits!

Skunk XL: a legendary cannabis classic lives on!

Since Skunk was released over three decades ago, she has influenced cannabis culture and cannabis cultivation like no other strain to date. What’s astonishing is that, despite Skunk already having such experience and celebrity under her belt, she is still immensely popular today. The explanation for this may be a very simple one: classics never go out of style!

Check out Skunk XL cannabis seeds, Royal Queen Seeds’ top-notch variant of this famous cannabis legend!