Four Way: The Genetic Fortress
Four Way: The Genetic Fortress
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Hybrid (80% Indica / 20% Sativa)
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Market Status: The "Survivalist's Choice"; Four Way is a piece of living history. Released by Sensi Seeds during the first wave of modern hybridization in the 1980s, it was one of the earliest "Multiple Hybrids" on the market. While most strains were simple F1 crosses (Plant A x Plant B), Four Way was a complex four-way cross designed to combine the durability and resin of three different Indica landraces with the vigor and yield of Skunk #1. It is the ultimate "Bulletproof" strain—tough, fast, and heavy.
THC Content: 15% – 20% (Narcotic & Heavy)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Humulene, Pinene
Key Effects: Deep Sedation, Muscle Relaxation, "Stone" Heavy, Sleep Aid
In the early days of seed banking, breeders were obsessed with stability and vigor. Four Way was Sensi Seeds' answer to the question: "How tough can we make a plant?"
By taking elite landrace genetics from the three great hash-producing nations—Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan—and crossing them with the commercially unstoppable Skunk #1, they created a genetic fortress. Four Way isn't designed to taste like a bakery; it is designed to survive a war zone (or a beginner's garden) and knock you flat with a heavy, old-school stone. It is the definition of a "Workhorse" Indica.
History and Lineage: The International Summit
This strain is a UN meeting of top-tier Indica genetics.
The Afghani: Provides the short stature and resin production. It is the anchor that keeps the plant compact.
The Indian: Likely a Kashmiri or Himachal Pradesh cultivar, adding spiciness and mold resistance.
The Pakistani: Renowned for extreme hardiness and deep relaxation.
The Skunk #1: The catalyst. It adds the hybrid vigor, yield potential, and sweet pungency that makes the plant commercially viable.
The Synthesis: Four Way was re-released in 1995 and became a favorite for growers who wanted variation. Because of its complex lineage, it can show different phenotypes, but all of them share the same core traits: fast flowering, heavy buds, and an Indestructible nature.
Terpene Profile: The Smell of Hash
Four Way has a flavor that takes you back to the 1980s. It smells like a hash parlor in Amsterdam—earthy, spicy, and rich.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Earth): The dominant terpene. It provides a heavy, musky, damp soil aroma that signals the sedative power of the strain.
Caryophyllene (The Spice): A sharp peppery kick that comes from the Indian and Pakistani genetics. It warms the throat on the inhale.
Humulene (The Hops): Adds a distinct woody, herbal note, smelling like dried hops or sage.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is savory and pungent. It smells of spicy hashish, wet earth, pine, and skunk.
The Smoke: Thick and heavy. It tastes of roasted nuts, pepper, and sweet earth. It is a full-bodied smoke that expands in the lungs.
Strain Effects: The Four-Hit Combo
This is not a strain for productivity. It is a strain for turning off the lights.
The Experience
The Impact: The high hits the body immediately. There is very little cerebral "climb." It goes straight to the muscles.
The Weight: Your limbs feel heavy. A warm sensation spreads through the extremities. It is excellent for unwinding after manual labor.
The Lock: In higher doses, the "Couch-Lock" is inescapable. You will want to find a soft surface and stay there.
The Sleep: As the high wears off, it transitions seamlessly into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Best For: Insomnia, chronic pain, muscle spasms, stress relief, and recovering from physical exertion.
Growing Four Way: The Beginner’s Best Friend
This is arguably one of the easiest strains to grow in the entire Sensi Seeds catalog.
Growth Structure
The Resilience: This plant is virtually impossible to kill. It resists mold, pests, underwatering, and overfeeding. It is the perfect "First Grow" strain.
The Speed: It is lightning fast. It finishes flowering in 45 to 60 days (7 to 9 weeks). Some phenotypes are ready in just 6 weeks.
The Size: It stays Short and Squat. It rarely stretches much, making it ideal for small grow tents or closets.
The Yield: Moderate to High. While the plants are small, the buds are dense and chunky.
The Method: It loves SOG (Sea of Green). Pack many small pots together, flip them to flower early, and harvest a canopy of rock-hard Indica nuggets.
Grower’s Tip: Because of the complex lineage, you may see some variation in the plants (phenotypes). Some might be shorter/faster (Indica leaning), others slightly larger (Skunk leaning). Keep an eye out for a particularly fast-flowering, resinous mother plant—clones from Four Way are legendary for their vigor.
Final Verdict: The Indestructible Indica
Four Way is not the flashiest strain on the shelf. It doesn't have a purple color or a cookie name. But it is one of the most reliable plants in existence. It offers a masterclass in Indica breeding: combining the best traits of the Hindu Kush region into a package that anyone can grow. If you want a fast harvest, a heavy stone, and a plant that can survive your mistakes, Four Way is the way to go.
You should choose Four Way if:
You are a First-Time Grower.
You suffer from Insomnia.
You love Spicy/Earthy Hash flavors.
You need a Fast Harvest.
Score: 9.1/10 (The Survivor)