Cherry Runtz

The cherry in the name of Cherry Runtz is echoed in its smell: strain descriptions and user reports consistently mention sweet cherry, along with berries and a candy-like sweetness. Beyond that, the accounts diverge, ranging from rose and lavender through sour notes to a hint of gasoline. In the best-documented version, the hybrid comes from a cross of Runtz with Cherry Pie; who bred it first cannot be established clearly from the sources.

Aroma and Flavor:

Besides cherry, the flavor is described with apple, tropical fruit and a slightly sour citrus finish. The breeders set their own accents: CHAnetics describes cherry and candy with herbal and earthy undertones for its version, while Elev8 Seeds names rose, berry and lavender. In one user report the flavor recalls herbal cherry cough drops, and another draws a comparison to gasoline and soap.

The descriptions list limonene, caryophyllene and linalool as the predominant terpenes, in some cases also myrcene. Which of them ranks first is inconsistent: sometimes limonene, sometimes caryophyllene is named as dominant.

Genetics and Origin:

Runtz, a cross of Zkittlez and Gelato, forms one half in all documented pedigrees. The second parent in the widespread line is Cherry Pie, which in turn traces back to Granddaddy Purple and Durban Poison. One strain description names Elev8 Seeds from Seattle as the original breeder, while another credits Copycat Genetix with making the name known and stresses that several breeders have released their own crosses under it. The classification also varies: one description lists Cherry Runtz as a balanced hybrid, whereas the breeders give indica-leaning ratios.

Versions from Different Breeders:

Elev8 Seeds distributes Cherry Runtz exclusively as feminized seeds and states a flowering time of about 70 days. The breeder gives an indica share of 75 %, an indoor yield of up to 600 g/m² and a height of 80 to 100 cm, up to 150 cm outdoors without training. Elev8 Seeds puts the THC content at up to 25 % and CBG at 0.5 to 1 %. Indoor, outdoor and greenhouse are named as growing locations.

According to the breeder, the CHAnetics version originated in Humboldt County in cooperation with the Cannabis Horticultural Association and is likewise available only as feminized seeds. CHAnetics states 7.5 to 8 weeks of flowering and an indica share of around 60 % and rates the yield as high. With Cherry Runtz Cake, from Lemon Pound Cake and Cherry Runtz, and Grape Cherry Runtz, crossed from Bluntz × Delicata Grapes and Cherry Runtz, the breeder has used the strain in further crosses.

Copycat Genetix lists under the same name a cross of Runtz and Cherry Cookies, which circulates only as a clone, so with a different second parent. Premium Cultivars gives Cherry Pie and Runtz as parents for its own seeds, along with 17 % THC.

THC Content:

Strain descriptions independent of the breeders clearly contradict each other. Some give 17 % THC, others ranges whose upper limit is 28 %. For CBG one description gives 1 %, which falls within the breeder figure from Elev8 Seeds.

Effects:

Users describe a course that begins with silliness and fits of laughter and passes into physical relaxation. Euphoria, a tingling sensation, increased desire and creativity are also mentioned. How strongly the strain sedates is perceived differently: several reports describe a heavy, sleep-inducing effect with a clouded head, clearly noticeable behind the eyes, while a grow guide speaks of mental clarity and relaxation without tiredness. Onset varies as well, from quick to gradual with a delayed, then strong rise.

Dry mouth and dry eyes are named as side effects, and individual descriptions also mention dizziness and paranoid thoughts at higher amounts.

Cultivation:

Two breeder-independent strain descriptions give a flowering time of 8 to 9 weeks and rate cultivation as moderate to rather easy. Dense, resin-rich flowers with purple coloring are described consistently. A grow guide names Sea of Green and SCROG as suitable methods and, for outdoor cultivation, a warm, sunny climate with good air movement.