Kerala gold is believed to have originated from Idukki Gold, which was a pure equatorial landrace but is now extinct. Although Kerala gold shares many similarities with Idukki Gold in terms of structure and flowering time, it deviates from the trend when it comes to flavor, lacking the distinct musky scent. However, Kerala gold itself can possess a diverse range of flavors, with floral/woody, sour/spice/incense, and sandal being the most probable occurrences in random populations.
Kerala Gold is said to be originated in Kerala, a region located in the southern-western ghats of India near the Malabar coast. It is known for its unique qualities as a drug-producing cultivar with narrow leaves. While it was traditionally grown only in Kerala, it is now cultivated in other regions as well. Kerala’s geographical location, situated around 9 degrees north of the equator, results in minimal variation in daytime light duration. The climate in Kerala is mild and tropical-wet, with moderate temperatures throughout the year, making it suitable for year-round cultivation. However, the most popular time for harvesting is usually in January. The humidity and precipitation levels gradually increase from April, reaching their peak during the monsoon season in July and August. As the monsoon moves toward the northern part of India, the humidity levels start to decrease, reaching their lowest point in January and February.
While the temperature difference may not be significant like in other mountainous areas, during the last four to five weeks of the flowering period, the nights are relatively cooler. This slight change in temperature causes the plants to transpire slightly more compared to the wetter monsoon months. This increased transpiration helps in adding necessary volume to the budding flowers.
Kerala Gold has a flowering period that typically lasts for 16 to 20 weeks, resulting in moderate to average yields. This plant exhibits excellent resistance to mold, powdery mildew, and pests in general. Surprisingly, even when cultivated outside of its original habitat, Kerala Gold can thrive and flower successfully at latitudes as high as 43 degrees north. The flowering time may vary slightly depending on the specific phenotypic selection. When consumed, Kerala Gold offers an energizing and uplifting mental high, characterized by a euphoric onset that can last between 2 to 3 hours.
During the initial 5 to 7 weeks of the flowering phase, the Kerala Gold plant undergoes a stretching process and creates internodal space to accommodate the development of flower bracts. Towards the later stages of flowering, the perigonal bracts begin to expand and take on a yellowish or golden hue. This color transformation is primarily due to the presence of a large number of amber trichome heads and the abundant coverage of unusually long dried stigmas wrapped around the bracts.
It is important to remember that in India , it is illegal to use cannabis for recreational purposes, however goverenment must try to preserve it landraces before it get cross pollinated or destroyed by goverenment agencies.
