Written by: Jessica Turner

Reviewed by: Ethan Cole  

Mandala Seed Bank: Heirloom Genetics In Your Grow Space

From the early 80s to the mid-90s, the future founders of Mandala Seeds, Mike and Jasmin, traveled all over the Indian subcontinent and many other exotic countries famous for their first-rate ganja. While living and working so far from home, they gathered an astounding collection of unique landrace strains, unlike any others that were common on the European market at the time. When they brought all these treasures back to Europe and started crossing them with each other, as well as with commercial Dutch varieties, they instantly knew they were onto something big. Eventually, they were proven right: the names of their strains are now known to cannabis enthusiasts all over the world. Many of them are multiple award winners, and at least two of them (Hashberry and Satori) received the honorary title ‘Strain of the Year’ from High Times magazine.

Bringing Vitality And Diversity Back To The Seed Market

Mandala strains not only possess extreme potency, unique effects and complex flavors, but also that natural vigor and resilience that seems to have been bred out (almost intentionally) from commercial weed strains. Mike and Jasmin think this a tragedy: they’ve seen with their own eyes natural cannabis habitats destroyed, and understand that it’s the collective responsibility of home growers all over the world to preserve this plant’s genetic strength and diversity for future generations. Fortunately, Mandala Seeds’ own stock turned out to be a much-needed injection of fresh DNA that has revitalized the market.

Combining Science And Eco-Friendly Practices

Mandala Seeds was officially born in 2004. Jasmin is a trained biologist with a background in agriculture and horticulture, which allowed the company to develop many game-changing methods and practices of weed growing. At the same time, Mandala’s founders hate the money-grabbing practices of modern capitalism, so they give a lot of thought to growing as naturally as possible. At their facilities, an astonishing 60% of their energy comes from the sun, and in all other respects, the breeders try to use resources as sparingly as possible.

What this means for you as a grower is that their strains are remarkably low maintenance; they don’t need powerful lights, rich soil or high levels of nutrients. In fact, their intimate knowledge of marijuana biology has even allowed Mandala Seeds to reduce the water uptake and its evaporation by their plants. As a result, the plants are as undemanding as they’re created.

Mandala Seed Shop: Emphasis On Quality Over Quantity

To this day, the founders keep their business relatively small, because they feel that they would otherwise compromise the quality of their produce. They do what no one else does: put a limit on the number of seeds produced by any single mother. Thanks to this, Mandala’s seeds are extra-large, filled to the brim with energy and good to go straight from the package. You’ll never have to pre-soak them before planting. Despite the amazing quality of the seeds themselves and the genetics that they carry inside, you’ll find the prices very affordable – Mike and Jasmin believe that a grower with any level of income should be able to grow top-shelf bud.

Official website: Mandala Seeds