Interview By: Dillon Cate
Hello and welcome! Thanks for being here and giving the community the opportunity to get to know you better. Please introduce yourself.
Hello! My name is Ryan Reed I have been passionately cultivating this amazing plant we all love so much for over 20 years now.
Ryan In One Of His Indoor Rooms
Photo Credit: @ILoveMeWeed
I wanted to first take a second and congratulate you on winning 1st place for Indoor flower with your Tropicana Cookies, and 3rd place for Solventless Hash with your Poontang Papaya Rosin at the Germination Cup. You have been on a steady roll for a while now winning awards left and right.
I felt really happy to be recognized at the Germination Cup. The Tropicana Cookies is a special strain that we’ve had for a long time. I’ve never seen another strain that is that purple. The Poontang Papaya Rosin has exotic, tropical terps that leave your mouth juicy, like you just ate a Starburst.
High Striker Farm is an awesome name for a Cannabis farm. What made you want to go with that name?
A friend of mine and I were spitballing names one day and the name High Striker came up. I love that carnival game and I’d like to think that our cannabis can really ring your bell.
What is your history with Cannabis?
I started growing 25+ years ago in beautiful Flagstaff AZ. I began growing indoors but then also started to grow outdoors. AZ had the most ideal climate for cannabis, similar to Afghanistan’s. I grew on southern facing canyon slopes. Watering was a challenge as I had to haul my own water with my dirt bike and backpack to my secret grow.
For Those Unfamiliar with Afghanistan's Rich Cannabis History. This Region Has Been Crucial In Cannabis History.
-Unknown Photo Credit
You started smoking and growing back in a different era, a really special important time for Cannabis where things were really starting to become modernized. What are some of the biggest changes you have seen when it comes to Cannabis itself and the Cannabis scene?
Obviously the biggest change is the states decriminalization and legalization of the plant. Since then, people have become more open to using it as medicine. Some of the pioneers have shared their knowledge with us. There are so many good growers now and a wide variety of genetics. We have all benefited.
From Reefer Madness To Today, We Certainly Have Come A Long Way.
What were your favorite strains back when you first started smoking?
My favorite strain when I first started smoking were Great White Shark, White Widow and Sour Diesel. You can’t forget the Northern Lights.
What is High Striker Farm current grow setup?
My current setup consists of Gavita LED lighting with fabric beds, Blumat irrigation, and following living soil practices.
Our Tour Of High Striker Farm
Something I must say about your guy’s Cannabis is the extreme flavor of it, whether it be fruity terps like your Papaya or the more complex gas ones such as Grease Monkey they all leave the room stinky, and your left with flavors long after you’ve exhaled. Is this what drew you to Living Soil vs Nutrient fed?
I tested out the living soil method in my greenhouse. I grew the same strain indoors using cocoa and salt based nutrients. After smoking samples of each of them, it was clear that the sun grown living soil method produced the best terps and also the best medicine.
Papaya Rosin In All Of It's Terpy Glory
You and I both skateboard, which is something a lot of stoners do. You are also really into surfing and have even braved the cold Atlantic to catch some waves. These sports require a lot of dedication and self-discipline, something people from outside the sport may not see. They are also great teachers of getting back up and trying again. Do you think these sports have helped you with your growing? People often only see the successes of growing, and not the failures and hardships.
Yes, skateboarding and surfing have always been great outlets for me, especially when I experienced failure. You can really change your mindset after a good session. Owning my own business can be stressful at times and skating and surfing are therapeutic for me.
You (Ryan) have a lot of passion and commitment to Cannabis and through the years of you working with the plant you have accumulated a lot of diverse genetics that is shown off in High Strikers Menu. Featuring Strains you don’t see on anyone else’s menu, and unique pheno’s of popular strains such as one of my personal favorites Cherry Strudel. You also have a killer pheno of Grapes N’ Cream that is incredibly Terpy. What are some of the most memorable plants you have come across over your time growing Cannabis?
The Cherry Strudel is a super memorable strain. The plant structure is very unique and it also has large, sandy trichomes, which makes it ideal for making hash. I already mentioned the Tropicanna Cookies. I guarantee my Pheno is the best smelling and most purple one out there. The Grapes n Cream has tested above 30% . I’ve had a lot of patients who have found pain relief after smoking it.
Cherry Strudel Macro Shot
Photo Credit: @ILoveMeWeed
Was there ever “that” cut that got away?
Yes, I still think about that strain that got away. At one point I had the Chem D cut from Cannarado Genetics. It was a finicky cut but was very loud and extremely potent. It’s still sought after today.
Cannarado Is a Genetic Company Based Out Of, You Guessed It. Colorado!
What’s your favorite thing about Cannabis?
My favorite thing about cannabis is how it connects us and makes us a community. The cannabis. The medical Cannabis Community is full of diverse, interesting and caring people. You’re immediately at ease with a group of stoners.
What Are Some Strains High Striker is currently running?
Current strains include the Tropicanna Cherry and Crookies, which both placed in the High 95 cup this year. Other favorites on the menu are Grapes n Cream, Ghost Train Haze, Banana OG, Bananaconda, Grease Monkey, Mimosa, Poontang Pie, Papaya and Airheadzz. So many good options to choose from.
Untrimmed Grapes N' Cream Waiting To Be Cured
Photo Credit: @ILoveMeWeed
Any new strains coming soon patients can get excited about?
Current strains include the Tropicanna Cherry and Crookies, which both placed in the High 95 cup this year. Other favorites on the menu are Grapes n Cream, Ghost Train Haze, Banana OG, Bananaconda, Grease Monkey, Mimosa, Poontang Pie, Papaya and Airheadzz. So many good options to choose from.
A new strain that I am really excited about is Pineapple Piff from Lobster Family Farms. It is sweet and tropical smelling. The nose draws you in big time.
High Striker also offers Cannabis Seeds including Regular, Feminized and Auto Flowers. For those unfamiliar can you explain what the differences are?
Auto flowers are good for beginner growers. They don’t require the sunlight to trigger the plant into the flower cycle. The feminized seed guarantees a female plant every time. Feminized seeds require the light cycle to shift to 12/12 to trigger flowering.
A Variety Of Strains Available in Auto Flower
Your Belief Of "If You Love And Take Care Of Earth, Earth Will Take Care Of You" Is Exactly What This Industry Needs More Of. How Does This Love And Respect Translate Into The Medicine?
It goes back to feeding the soil and not just the plant. When you realize how the biodiversity in the soil supports the development of the plants, it’s a no brainer to cultivate using living soil methods We put a lot of passion into our living soil setup and have our hands in the dirt everyday.
High Striker Farm Utilizes "Cover Crops" such as Marigolds, Tomatoes, Mint Along With Others to Help Their Living Soil.
Photo Credit: @ILoveMeWeed
Where can patients find your products? Do you offer direct to patient sales?
We offer direct to patient sales. This is the best way to keep smaller grows in operation. Our products can also be found at Mark’s Organics, Natural High, Two Fat Cats Organics and Organic Goods.
You Guys Have An Extremely Cool Booth For Events. It Includes A Miniature Hi Striker
And A Claw Machine Filled With Cannabis and Joints. It's Really Nice To See People
Having Fun With It! Will You Guys Be Attending Any Events / Sessions In The Coming
Future?
You can also find us at many events in the near future, including Mountain Mayhem, Reggae Garden, Community Bonfire, Not Your Average Fest.
Links:
Website:
Instagram:
Calendar Of Events Featuring Those Mentioned In This Interview:
Comments