JournalJournal
Collin Johnson
Once you get away from the potency game and start really hunting flavors, you will undeniably end up smoking Z and a variety of its offspring. There are many imitators, and many brands pushing what they claim to be pure Z. The Zikigai strain IS actually pure, pristine, unadulterated Z, and then some. This is a rare situation where the breeder, Zikigai Garden, and the brand, Elusive, came together to release the breeder’s namesake at select Los Angeles retailers. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a stuffed 8th.
Elusive is known for artisanal cuts grown indoors in the San Fernando Valley like Pi Chew #1, ZOG, and more. Zikigai Garden has just officially popped back out after rebranding from Raw Genetics, a name that many are familiar with when it comes to banger genetics like Z Pie, Blue Slushie, Cherry Paloma, etc. Needless to say, there was a ton of hype around this drop and demand was high. Keep reading to get the full sensory download of this highly covetable smoke that’s easily on my top 3 for sh*t I could spark every damn day.
If you’re curious about the conversations surrounding pheno hunts, cutting-edge genetics, and the people who make them, great news. Read to the bottom of this review for exclusive interview clips from First Smoke of the Day featuring both of these brands.
The Zikigai Garden team keeps the details surrounding the exact genetics of their Zikigai strain a little close to the chest. But, what we know is it’s a rare F1 hybrid of Z, specifically bred to hit those sharp, candy forward notes while improving structure in the grow. Anyone who’s ever grown Z will tell you it’s no easy task. She’s never a strong yielder, very finicky with light, and always needs stalk and branching support. Zikigai Garden extensively hunted this notorious plant until they found the ultimate keeper. Then, they gave it to Elusive to use their futuristic cultivation techniques to grow a batch worth dropping in the LA market. So here we are.
Looking at a proper cut of well-trimmed and cured Z, there should be absolutely no purple. The nugs should be compact, spade-like in shape, and showcase lime green and rich forest green coloration. Vibrant orange pistils weave up to the surface of the nugs, where you can see a thorough coating of trichomes that sparkle like diamonds under the light. From a quick glance, the Zikigai strain might not appear as fire as it actually is. Breaking apart a nug and feeling the stickiness, and getting a whiff of the iconic aromas is where it all changes.
On the nose, the Zikigai strain by Elusive x Zikigai Garden is bright and herbaceous, with a sinful injection of candy sitting right underneath the surface. The sharp candied grapefruit notes really blast you in the face after you pop open the jar and take apart a nug by hand. You’re met with a heavy handed sweetness that could only be described as candy, along with undertones of nutty funk. It’s exactly what you hope for in a strain that was originally named after a very sugary, mouth-watering candy. I won’t say the name, but you know what I’m talking about.
Immediately upon exhale of the Zikigai strain, you might feel your mood lifting above the clouds. What’s beautiful about Z is that it was never meant to be a smacker in terms of THC, it was always about the flavor and unique terpene profile. And you taste it with this Elusive x Zikigai cut on the inhale and exhale, a true mouth-coating of sharp candy flavors that may excite the mind and calm your nerves. That entourage effect of palpable potency and even more dominating flavors might create a happy, functional high that helps you power through any day with a smile. This isn’t the OG meant to take you out in the evening, but rather the fuel to potentially keep productivity and spirits high.
From a medicinal point of view, I could think of a wealth of conditions that smoking the Zikigai strain might help. Stress, anxiety, and depression are the first three that come to mind. A modest 1-gram joint of this strain may immediately wash away any of these issues and replace them with blissful optimism. Also considering this isn’t a knock-out strain, there’s a strong functional potential in the high that may help those with ADHD or problems focusing on mundane obligations. You give me a joint of this and I’d happily do any household chore or tedious work-related task.
That’s a BIG BIG 10-4. Though the 8th I got my hands on was extremely fresh out of the grow, I still observed pure white ash down to the glass tip. It’s worth noting there was a prominent and gooey resin ring right underneath the cherry halfway down the joint that signaled an especially terpy smoke. Elusive is known for really dialing in their batches and this one was no different. You could only argue that it was even better with the oversight Zikigai Garden brought to the table. This is what you might see a lot more of in the future. Breeders and brands coming together to hunt, grow, and dominate the market through technique, innovation, and authenticity.
As you can see from the flyer above, this was a very limited and exclusive drop. If you were able to get your hands on it, then count yourself lucky. If any of these shops are local to you, make sure to request more Elusive x Zikigai work so they know it’s worth running this back. Check out the Elusive LA site for all the latest drop locations. Scope the new Zikigai Garden site and sign up for their newsletter so you never miss a seed drop.
Want to know how a cut like this actually gets found? Tap into our Pheno Hunt special. Lance sat down with some of the most respected hunters and breeders in the game. Zikigai Garden pulled up while they were still repping the Raw Genetics name. Elusive came through too. So did the Cannabis Brothers and OG breeder Umami. That's over 100 years of combined growing experience at one table.
The crew opens jars, smokes through phenos, and breaks down what it really takes to find the next legendary strain. They get into how breeders pick the winners out of a hunt. They talk about why Z and candy-style terps changed the whole breeding game. They also separate bag appeal from flavor from true smokability. That last one hits different after a rare smoke like this Zikigai x Elusive 8th.
You'll hear stories about legendary strains, lost genetics, and the breeding moves that keep the hunt alive. This is the kind of talk that usually stays in the grow room. We caught it on camera. Follow FSOTD for all the latest updates from the culture you won't find anywhere else.
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