Sunset MAC

A producer lists a 2nd place in the Best Indica Flower category at the King Canna Cup for its flowers of Sunset MAC. The strain was bred by Capulator, who is also the source of MAC and crossed Miracle Alien Cookies with Sunset Sherbert. Other strain descriptions additionally list it as Sunny MAC, Sunset Miracle Alien Cookies or Sunset M.A.C. and classify it mostly as an indica-leaning hybrid.

Genetics and Origin:

Sunset Sherbert descends from Girl Scout Cookies and Pink Panties, MAC from Alien Cookies and a cross of Colombian and Starfighter. The latter gave rise to the Miracle 15 line, whose name is explained in a profile of Capulator in a trade magazine: the seeds accidentally went through a washing machine, and of the plants that still germinated afterward, only number 15 passed selection. Capulator reports having produced seeds since 1996.

The statements on classification differ. For the Capulator version it is mostly indica, while another strain description gives 50 % each of indica and sativa. The breeder is not given consistently either: two strain profiles name Qwest Reserve, one of them alongside Capulator, and a review attributes the breeding to the producer of the flowers reviewed. Capulator used Sunset MAC as a parent for Bootyclapper, a cross with Big Buns; Jinxproof Genetics combined Sunset MAC with 9lb Hammer to create Hell on Wheels.

Aroma and Flavor:

One strain profile lists chestnut, violet, grapefruit and citrus. Another strain profile describes a floral lavender note with sour lemon and berries, and in flavor sweet tropical citrus fruit with a nutty, earthy undertone. The producer of the award-winning flowers names a strong berry aroma with earthy notes. User reports give a broader picture: wildflowers, pineapple, cream, pepper and grapefruit are mentioned, in one case also roasted garlic and Parmesan. Two reviews of flowers from different sources are far apart. One describes peanut butter cookies, blackberry and wintergreen, with pepper, vanilla milk and exhaust fumes in the flavor, the other sour notes, gas and lime over earthy skunk.

Strain profiles list caryophyllene ahead of limonene and humulene as the dominant terpenes. Another description puts terpinolene and myrcene at the top.

Effects:

User reports describe the effect as relaxing and at the same time mood-lifting, with focus, creativity, euphoria and energy added; one strain description adds giddiness. Consumers disagree on whether the strain is more stimulating or more likely to press users into the couch. One review describes a strong physical effect with a dreamy head feeling, while other reports stress that it specifically does not pin users down. Dry mouth, dizziness and nervousness are named as side effects, and one review highlights a strong irritation in the throat when inhaling.

THC and CBD Content:

Strain descriptions give THC values of 17 to 29 %, while another notes that the strain tests rather low. For a batch from the 2020 harvest, a review documents the packaging figure of 27.3 % total THC with 0 % CBD; which lab measured it is not stated. One strain description also lists 1 % CBG.

Cultivation:

Capulator offers Sunset MAC only as regular seeds, as a photoperiod strain for indoor and outdoor growing. For these seeds, 56 to 70 days of flowering and a medium height are stated.

How widely the offspring vary is shown by a documented indoor grow from regular Capulator seeds. There, 4 female plants faced 6 male plants, the seedlings developed more slowly than the comparison strain grown alongside, and at least 3 different leaf shapes appeared. In flower, the phenotypes smelled clearly different. The plants stayed shorter than the comparison strain; a preferred cutting grew taller but formed long internodes with small flowers. After the switch to 12/12 the plants stretched little, although they had just come out of revegetation.

There are contradictory statements on flower structure. User reports describe firm, dense buds with orange hairs and in places purple tones, whereas a strain description gives large, loose flowers. One review notes a slightly leafy structure.

Versions from Different Breeders:

Besides the regular seeds from Capulator, there is a feminized Sunset MAC from Crop King Seeds, described as a cross of Sunset and Miracle Alien Cookies; no link to Capulator is made there. Crop King Seeds states 7 to 9 weeks of flowering for its version, 400 g/m² indoors and 400 g per plant outdoors, plus 18 to 19 % THC and 0.12 to 0.38 % CBD. Cultivation is rated as moderately difficult there; as favorable, the supplier names a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sun and mild temperatures.