Gary Payton
Breeder: Powerzzzup Genetics (Kenny Dumetz) / Cookies
Named after the NBA Hall of Famer whose #20 jersey matched phenotype #20 from the original seed pop, Gary Payton is one of the rare true 50/50 hybrids where the balance plays out in real time. The basketball-connected breeding crew struck a licensing deal with the real Gary Payton through Bay Area connections. Its sister phenotype from the same cross is Cereal Milk — same parents, radically different expressions. Gary Payton is a sister phenotype to Cereal Milk—both selected from the same The Y x Snowman seed population by Kenny Dumetz of Powerzzzup Genetics in collaboration with Cookies (Berner). Where Cereal Milk expresses sweet cream and vanilla, Gary Payton diverges into diesel, burnt rubber, and sharp candy territory. Named after the NBA Hall of Fame point guard known as "The Glove," the strain has become one of the defining cultivars of the modern Cookies catalog. The Y parent (also called Y Griega or Y-Life) contributes dense structure, heavy resin, and purple-tinged leaves, while Snowman—a high-trichome Girl Scout Cookies phenotype—brings frost production and balanced effects. THC routinely tests 25–34% with dominant terpenes beta-caryophyllene, limonene, and humulene producing a complex gas-and-spice aromatic profile.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: The Y x Snowman
Snowman is a sativa-leaning phenotype of Girl Scout Cookies selected by Cookie Fam for extreme trichome production. The Y (Y Life) is a Cookies-family hybrid — described variously as Cookies x Cherry Pie or Cookies-family genetics x Lemonade. The Cookies-ecosystem Y Life and Medical Seeds' Y Griega (Amnesia Haze x Kali Mist) are distinct cultivars despite sharing a nickname.
Terpene Profile
Beta-Caryophyllene — Spicy, peppery, woody; ~0.8%
Limonene — Citrus brightness; ~0.4%
Linalool — Floral, lavender; ~0.2%
Aroma: Diesel fuel and gas upfront, transitioning into sweet candy and cookie notes with a spiced, peppery finish.
Flavor: Peppery and gassy on inhale with sweet-nutty undertones and hints of citrus. Smooth spiced warmth on exhale.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Clear-headed cerebral lift within 5–10 minutes. Not racy — calm brightening.
A mellow body relaxation rolls in and meets the mental effects in the middle. Users commonly report staying functional and conversational. At higher doses, it can settle into couch-lock.
Duration: Long-lasting; body effects deepen over time
Commonly Reported Uses
Grower's Notes
Gary Payton displays a compact, indica-dominant morphology despite its balanced 50/50 genetic split. Plants exhibit tight internodal spacing with sturdy lateral branching that supports heavy colas without staking. The stretch at flip is moderate—expect 1.5 to 2x height gain in the first two weeks of 12/12. Without training, indoor plants top out around 100–120 cm; with LST applied from the fourth node onward, the canopy can be kept to 80–90 cm while maximizing bud-site exposure.
Growth Structure and Training
Structure lends itself well to SOG and SCROG setups. Top at the fourth or fifth node to encourage 8–16 even primary tops per plant in a 4x4 area. A trellis net at canopy level stabilizes the heavy colas that develop in weeks 5–8. Defoliate aggressively at the flip and again around day 21 to open airflow channels—this strain's dense branching creates microclimates that invite moisture problems if left unchecked.
Nutrient Management
Gary Payton is a heavy feeder that rewards aggressive nutrition. In coco or rockwool, run pH 5.8–6.2 with EC 1.8–2.4 at peak bloom. She demands consistent calcium and silica throughout flower; CalMag supplementation is non-negotiable in inert media. A balanced veg formula (3-1-2 NPK) transitions to bloom ratio (1-3-2) at flip, with potassium ramping in weeks 5–7 for dense stacking. In living soil, amend with high-calcium inputs (gypsum, oyster shell) and top-dress with kelp and rock dust mid-flower. Avoid babying her with nutrients—underfeeding produces mediocre yields and lighter frost. Flush with plain water for the final 10–14 days to preserve terp clarity.
Flowering Time and Harvest
Flower time runs 56–63 days (8–9 weeks). The chop window is critical on this cultivar: pushing past day 63 causes the candy-sharp terps to muddy out and the diesel kick that defines Gary Payton fades. Watch trichomes carefully and pull at 70–80% cloudy with 10–15% amber. Note that frost builds late—most trichome production occurs in the final two weeks, so don't panic if plants look underwhelming through week 6.
Indoor environment targets
68–75°F (20–24°C) day temps during flower, with nighttime drops of 5–10°F to encourage anthocyanin expression and the deep purple hues this strain is known for. Humidity should step down through flower: 50–55% RH weeks 1–4, 45–50% weeks 5–7, and 40–45% for the final two weeks. VPD targets of 1.2–1.5 kPa mid-bloom and 1.4–1.6 kPa late bloom optimize transpiration without stressing resin glands. Run full-spectrum LED at 800–1000 PPFD in flower; the strain handles high light intensity well.
Bud Structure and Trichomes
Bud structure is dense, compact, and rounded—often described as grape-shaped nuggets. Base color is forest green to minty green with prominent burnt orange pistils. Cooler night temps trigger vivid purple and violet hues from The Y parentage. The trichome coating is heavy and builds a thick, greasy layer of capitate-stalked resin glands by harvest, giving finished flowers a shimmering frosted appearance.
Pest and Disease Resistance
Pest and disease management requires proactive attention. Dense colas make Gary Payton susceptible to botrytis (bud rot) and powdery mildew if humidity spikes or airflow stalls. Implement preventive IPM from day one: oscillating fans at multiple canopy heights, strategic lollipopping of lower growth, and weekly scouting with a loupe. Beneficial insects (Amblyseius swirskii for thrips, Neoseiulus californicus for mites) and biological controls (Beauveria bassiana, Bacillus thuringiensis) on rotation keep pressure low without contaminating resin.
Wash and Extraction
Hash and extraction performance is excellent. Ice water hash yields run 4.2–5.0% on properly grown material. Trichome heads stack tall with clear abscission points, making them ideal for bubble hash production. Fresh-frozen material processed into live hash rosin captures the diesel-candy terp profile exceptionally well. The strain won 1st place at the 2022 Errl Cup (Arizona) in hash form, validating its extraction credentials.
Drying and Curing
Dry whole plants or individual branches in a dark room at 60°F (15°C) and 60% RH for 7–10 days until small stems snap cleanly. Cure in sealed glass jars at room temperature and 55–62% RH, burping daily for the first week, then every few days thereafter. Gary Payton is forgiving on cure—two weeks in jars already produces excellent flavor, though six weeks develops the full terp complexity. The cure matters less here than on varieties like Wedding Pie, but patience still rewards.
History & Origin
Created by Kenny Dumetz of Powerzzzup Genetics in collaboration with Berner's Cookies. Phenotype #20 was selected from the Y Life x Snowman seed run. Berner reached out to the real Gary Payton through Bay Area connections for a licensing deal. Officially launched July 11, 2019. Gary Payton himself became a cannabis entrepreneur, launching CannaSports.
Awards & Recognition
- ●1st Place — 2022 Errl Cup, Arizona (Hash category)
- ●2nd Place — 2022 Emerald Cup, Hydro-Carbon Solid category (Beezle Brands x Earthen Farms, Gary Payton Live Resin Budder)
- ●Multiple wins — High Times Cannabis Cup, Oklahoma
- ●Multiple wins — Leaf Bowl and competition events, Oregon
- ●2022: 1st Place — Errl Cup, Arizona (concentrate category)
- ●2022: 2nd Place — Emerald Cup (solvent concentrate)
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using Gary Payton as a parent:
Frequently Asked Questions
7 common questions about Gary Payton
What is Gary Payton and what are its genetics?
Gary Payton is a hybrid cannabis strain (50% Indica / 50% Sativa) bred by Powerzzzup Genetics (Kenny Dumetz) / Cookies. It is a cross of The Y x Snowman, testing at 20–28% THC. Named after the NBA Hall of Famer whose #20 jersey matched phenotype #20 from the original seed pop, Gary Payton is one of the rare true 50/50 hybrids where the balance plays out in real time. The basketball-connected breeding crew struck a licensing deal with the real Gary Payton through Bay Area connections.
What does Gary Payton smell and taste like?
Gary Payton's dominant terpenes are Beta-Caryophyllene. The aroma is described as diesel fuel and gas upfront, transitioning into sweet candy and cookie notes with a spiced, peppery finish.. The flavor profile features peppery and gassy on inhale with sweet-nutty undertones and hints of citrus. smooth spiced warmth on exhale..
What are the effects of Gary Payton?
Clear-headed cerebral lift within 5–10 minutes. Not racy — calm brightening. A mellow body relaxation rolls in and meets the mental effects in the middle. Users commonly report staying functional and conversational. Duration is typically long-lasting; body effects deepen over time. Commonly reported uses include Stress relief, Chronic pain, Fatigue, Focus.
How hard is Gary Payton to grow?
Gary Payton is rated intermediate difficulty. It flowers in 8–9 weeks, reaches short-medium (80–120 cm indoor) in height, and yields 450–600 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor preferred environments.
What are the parent strains of Gary Payton?
Gary Payton is a cross of The Y and Snowman. Snowman is a sativa-leaning phenotype of Girl Scout Cookies selected by Cookie Fam for extreme trichome production. The Y (Y Life) is a Cookies-family hybrid — described variously as Cookies x Cherry Pie or Cookies-family genetics x Lemonade.
What strains were bred from Gary Payton?
Gary Payton has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Cereal Milk, Strawberry Gary, Payton's Pie. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.
Has Gary Payton won any cannabis awards?
Yes. Gary Payton has received recognition including 1st Place — 2022 Errl Cup, Arizona (Hash category); 2nd Place — 2022 Emerald Cup, Hydro-Carbon Solid category (Beezle Brands x Earthen Farms, Gary Payton Live Resin Budder); Multiple wins — High Times Cannabis Cup, Oklahoma.
Sources & References (36)
- Cookies.co (breeder's official website) — strain description, lineage as 'Y Life x Snowman'
- Leafly — THC average (22%), terpene profile (caryophyllene/limonene/linalool), awards, community reviews with lab data
- SeedFinder.eu — genealogy tree, Y Griega lineage (Amnesia x Kali Mist variant)
- MMJ.com — terpene percentages, THC range (25-34%)
- I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM) — grow characteristics, flowering time, yield, launch date
- GetSeedsRightHere — phenotype #20 backstory, sister strain relationship with Cereal Milk, grow difficulty
- Leaf Nation — origin story, Kenny Dumetz attribution, Berner/GP licensing deal
- Raw Genetics — notable offspring (Payton's Pie, Berry Payton), breeder-perspective review
- Stiiizy — grow tips, environmental parameters, training advice
- FGF Products — grower's review of elite cut, 63-day flower time, 14 oz yield from 4 plants
- AllBud — alternative lineage description (Snowman x Cherry Pie x GSC)
- Greenpoint Seeds — Powerzzzup history, Kenny Dumetz background, GP x PLCG cross
- Grower's Notes cultivation sources:
- https://hypnoseeds.com/the-blog/beginner-guide-to-gary-payton-seeds/
- https://www.getseedsrighthere.com/gary-payton-strain/
- https://www.cannaconnection.com/strains/gary-payton
- https://www.projectreleafokc.com/news/gary-payton-the-complete-strain-breakdown
- https://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/strains/gary-payton-strain/
- https://www.mmj.com/learn/strains/gary-payton/
- https://www.bernercookies.com/product/gary-payton/
- https://www.leafly.com/strains/gary-payton
- https://theorywellness.org/product/gary-payton-strain-cookies/
- https://www.barneysfarm.com/gary-payton-683
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/gary-payton/unknown-or-legendary
- https://www.nextgenerationnurseries.com/growing-strains-1/gary-payton
- https://www.stiiizy.com/blogs/learn/gary-payton-strain-cannabis-guide
- https://rareharvest.net/blogs/strain-library/gary-payton
- https://www.strainpedia.com/strawberry-gary/
- https://funwithdizzies.com/gary-payton-weed-guide-effects-flavor-type/
- https://www.lowtemp-plates.com/blogs/knowledge/best-strains-for-rosin
- https://rawgenetics.com/gary-payton-strain-review/
- https://amchdenver.com/strains/gary-payton/
- https://www.miraclesedge.com/cultivars/gary-payton
- https://cannabiscupwinners.com/blog/2022/05/20/emerald-cup-awards-2022/
- https://app.jointcommerce.com/blog/category/cannabis-101/purple-payton-strain-a-comprehensive-strain-guide/
- https://www.leafly.ca/strains/gary-payton
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