Banjo

The Segra International strain catalog, which has supplied tissue-culture young plants of the strain to licensed operations since December 2021, records a medium growth height with strong stretch after the onset of flowering for Banjo. A Canadian producer who likewise grew the strain from tissue culture instead obtained short, bushy specimens with an indica-like stature. Breeder page, distributor and producers all name Parker Sullivan as the breeder of the sativa-leaning cross of Boost and Tangelo.

Cultivation:

The breeder states a flowering time of 60 to 65 days. Breeder and distributor describe the buds as medium-firm and long conical, and rate the yield as medium to high. Other strain descriptions cite an average indoor flowering time of 63 days, or 9 to 10 weeks. One of them considers Banjo suitable for cultivation indoors and outdoors in temperate climate and describes compact, even growth with dense, resin-rich flowers. The Canadian producer likewise obtained dense, juicy-green flowers with sienna-brown pistils after cold curing and light trimming.

Genetics and Origin:

Boost, itself derived from Blueberry and Sweet Tooth, supplies one half of the lineage, while Tangelo, from Tangerine Sunrise and Gorkle, supplies the other. Sullivan dates the cross to 2014. A 2020 preview that counted Banjo among 5 strains expected to break through instead gives 2018 as the year of origin and notes that the strain gained wider recognition in 2019 among fans of citrus-heavy terpene profiles.

Not every source attributes the strain to Sullivan. One strain description names the Strong Agronomy cultivation operation from the Santa Cruz area as the breeder, and a farm belonging to that company in Watsonville describes Banjo as its own development. In German strain directories, the strain also appears under the name Sweet Sunrise. It is listed as a parent in Banjo Belts by Makena Genetics.

Aroma and Flavor:

Strain descriptions, producers and consumer reports link a citrus smell, described as mandarin or tangelo, with a cheesy note; skunk and sour citrus notes also appear. Sullivan himself makes no mention of cheese. He describes citrus with light blueberry notes and, when smoked, a scent reminiscent of incense. In flavor, as in other descriptions, sweet pine notes are prominent for him too, supplemented with something savory; one strain description adds a sharp, diesel-like note. One consumer report described the smell as musky and reminiscent of aged citrus fruit.

Effects:

The breeder describes an initial euphoria followed by a slowly setting-in physical heaviness with moderate sedation. Consumer reports only partly match this. Alongside a euphoric onset followed by a body sensation, some describe a stimulating, talkative effect with tingling, while one report instead describes an unexpectedly sedating one. Several reports consider Banjo very strong. The 2020 preview mentioned above placed the strain below the strongest competitors and highlighted creative mood as a frequently mentioned response.

As side effects, reports and strain descriptions mention anxiety, paranoia and dry mouth, with individual reports also citing headaches and heart palpitations at the start.

Lab Results:

For an indoor production test at a partner operation, the breeder reports more than 25% THC, more than 1.2% CBD, over 30% total cannabinoids and more than 4.2% terpenes; the dominant terpenes named are myrcene, limonene and farnesene. Segra lists 25% THC, under 1% CBD, 30% total cannabinoids and 4% terpenes for tests at its own research facility. The Canadian producer reports 4.65% total terpenes for its flowers, of which 1.36% myrcene, 0.81% limonene and 0.27% selinadiene.

For batches of medical flower of this strain from Canadian cultivation, 23.8 to 27.3% THC and 0.2 to 0.3% CBD were reported in Germany. Values vary depending on batch, cultivation and phenotype.

Versions from Different Breeders:

Colorado Seed Inc. offers feminized seeds with the lineage (Blueberry × Sweet Tooth) × Tangelo, the same cross, but describes the strain as a balanced hybrid with 50% indica and 50% sativa each and states 18 to 28% THC. Atlas Seed sells feminized seeds under the name Banjo for a cross of Cotton Candy and Banjo, while also describing it as old heirloom genetics from Sonoma County, and states a 63-day flowering time at 20 to 28% THC. Purple stems and white-frosted colas are described. One buyer reports mold resistance in humid climate, another notably sticky resin. The same provider also lists Banjo Auto, a cross of Banjo with a ruderalis, whose flowering takes about 73 days.