Cherry Cola

Several consumers compare the taste of Cherry Cola to cherry soda, and some even claim to taste a fizz like carbonation. There is far less agreement on which plant stands behind the name. The spelling Cherry Kola leads to an Afghan indica from Sonoma County in California, while younger crosses with entirely different ancestry and several autoflower versions also circulate.

Effects:

Relaxation is the common denominator across the reports. Depending on the consumer, there is also elevated mood, euphoria, giddiness or talkativeness; one describes feeling focused. Others report that the calm turns into drowsiness or keeps them pinned to the couch. One report notes that the effect sets in quickly and fades just as quickly.

Users name dry mouth and dizziness as side effects, one also an urge to cough. Strain descriptions add dry eyes and paranoia.

Genetics and Origin:

The best-documented lineage is that of the Sonoma County Collective. The collective developed the strain over several years and won the Breeder's Cup with it at the 10th Emerald Cup in 2013; in the Flower competition it placed 2nd. This is what the newspaper Press Democrat reported at the time, according to which the genetics were to remain in the collective's possession and not be sold as seeds. One strain description names 2 Afghan indicas from the provinces of Kandahar and Takhar as parents, another simply Afghani. In 2014, Cherry Kola took part in the Cannabis Cup in Los Angeles. Its classification remains disputed: at times the strain is regarded as a pure indica, at times as a hybrid with a 70 % indica share.

Crosses without an Afghan connection also exist under the name Cherry Cola. One description lists it as a hybrid of Cherry Cookies and Zkittlez BX1 with 70 % indica and 19 to 20 % THC. Barney's Farm names Cherry Cookies × The Original Z as the photoperiod parent of its own autoflower. User reports contain further guesses, such as Brainstew × Runtz.

Aroma and Flavor:

Cherry leads in the flavor descriptions, accompanied by sweetness, light acidity and berries; consumers associate the spicy finish with a soft drink. One is reminded of cola candies, another tastes a hint of gasoline alongside the cherry. Strain descriptions of the Sonoma line list earth, raspberry, lemon and pine in the aroma, and additionally kola nut and sarsaparilla in the flavor. Another lists diesel, mint and tea.

THC and CBD Content:

The THC figures from strain descriptions vary widely: 16 %, 18 % and 21 to 25 % are given. According to one description, CBD is at 0.04 %; another lists 1 % CBG and names limonene as the dominant terpene, followed by caryophyllene and myrcene. A description that does not state where the plants came from, by contrast, puts borneol first.

Cultivation:

Since the collective did not release seeds of the Sonoma line, the cultivation data rest on a single strain description: 7 to 9 weeks of flowering, outdoor harvest from late September to early October, preferably in a warm climate. Another description depicts the flowers as light green with scattered purple spots and dense resin coverage; a user also mentions green and purple flowers.

Versions from Different Breeders:

The documented seed versions are feminized autoflowers. Fast Buds states 55 % indica and 45 % sativa for Cherry Cola Auto, 9 to 10 weeks of flowering and a height of up to 150 cm. Yield is said to be 500 to 600 g/m² indoors and 50 to 250 g per plant outdoors, with THC content up to 25 % and CBD under 1 %. The breeder describes tall, vigorous plants with a strong main stem and good lateral branching, light green flowers with purple portions and long dark orange pistils, and considers the strain suitable for SCROG. James Loud Genetics crossed this version with Auto OG Kush to create Cherry Cola OG Auto.

Barney's Farm combines Cherry Cookies × The Original Z with its in-house autoflower line BF Super Auto #1. According to the breeder, 70 to 80 days pass from seed to harvest; stated are 65 % indica, 15 to 25 % THC, indoors 90 to 130 cm in height and 500 to 650 g/m², outdoors 100 to 150 cm and 150 to 250 g per plant.

Community Experiences:

Feedback from growers on the Fast Buds version is mixed. Buyers report vigorously growing plants; for another, none of 5 seeds germinated, although other strains from the same order came up. Another grower needed around 100 days, by their own account, until the plant was fully mature.