GG5
Also known as: New Glue, Gorilla Glue #5, Gorilla Glue 5
Breeder: GG Strains (Joesy Whales & Lone Watty)
GG5 is the intra-family back-cross of the Glue line — Sister Glue (GG1) crossed back into Original Glue (GG4) — created by GG Strains co-founders Joesy Whales and Lone Watty in Las Vegas. Officially launched winter 2016 as a clone-only limited release, it was renamed from 'Gorilla Glue #5' to 'New Glue' after a 2017 trademark settlement with the Gorilla Glue adhesive company. Growers and reviewers consistently report effects heavier and more sedating than GG4, with a musky diesel-forward nose and extreme resin production that makes trimming scissors stick together. Clone-only distribution through authorized GG Strains cultivators; no certified seed crosses exist. GG5, officially rebranded as New Glue following the 2017 trademark settlement with the Gorilla Glue adhesive company, is a direct sibling cross within the GG Strains lineage — Sister Glue (GG1) bred to Original Glue (GG4). The original Gorilla Glue line was created accidentally by Joesy Whales and Lone Watie when stress-hermied Chem's Sister x Sour Dubb plants pollinated Chocolate Diesel females. From that serendipitous pollination, GG1, GG2, and GG4 were selected, with GG4 becoming one of the most celebrated strains of the 2010s. GG5 represents the next generation — breeding the two surviving elite phenotypes together. THC typically ranges from 21-31%, though consistency between grows varies more than with GG4. The terpene profile leans toward diesel and earth with a distinctive spice note that distinguishes it from its more citrus-forward sibling.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: Sister Glue (GG1) x Original Glue (GG4)
Sister Glue (GG1) and Original Glue (GG4) share the same three grandparents — Chem's Sister, Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel — but express different phenotypes. GG4 became the iconic 'stickiest strain alive' pheno that won the 2014 LA and Michigan Cannabis Cups and the 2015 Jamaica World Cup. GG1 is described as the 'sister' phenotype, slightly brighter and less sedating than GG4, with its own Cannabis Cup wins. Crossing the two effectively concentrated the Glue genetics, producing a heavier, more indica-leaning expression with intensified resin and body effects.
Terpene Profile
Caryophyllene — Spicy, peppery warmth
Myrcene — Earthy, herbal, musky foundation
Limonene — Bright citrus, lemon zest
Pinene — Fresh pine, forest-like brightness
Linalool — Floral, lavender sweetness
Aroma: Pungent and intense. Musky diesel dominates up front — a deeper, earthier musk than GG4's brighter gas. Layers of black pepper, dark chocolate, damp earth, and pine sap underneath. Sweet skunky undertones linger after the jar is closed. Breeder describes it simply as 'Earthy, Piney, Chocolate, Very potent!'
Flavor: Earthy pepper and diesel on the inhale, transitioning to a rich pine and dark chocolate mid-palate. Exhale brings a slightly sweet herbal finish with a lingering skunky, fuel-tinged aftertaste. Willamette Week described it as 'diesel-soaked leather and burnt rubber — a fuel-strain lover's perfect pot.'
Effects & Experience
Onset: Creeper. Begins with a lifted, euphoric cerebral wave that clears negative thoughts before the body effects arrive. Reviewers note it can sneak up 5–10 minutes after the first hit.
Once the body high lands it is overwhelming. Heavy full-body sedation anchors you to the couch with a warm, tingly wave spreading from the torso outward. Cognitive function noticeably diminishes — users describe a 'stupefying' blank bliss. Compared to GG4, GG5 trades the happy sativa headspace for a more cohesive, single-minded physical relaxation. Increased appetite and dry eyes commonly reported.
Duration: Long-lasting; 2–3+ hours of heavy effects. The sedation tail can linger well past the peak.
Commonly Reported Uses
Grower's Notes
GG5 (New Glue) by GG Strains is a direct cross of Sister Glue (GG1) and Original Glue (GG4), combining two legendary phenotypes from the Gorilla Glue lineage into a balanced 50/50 hybrid that many growers report delivers even heavier body effects than either parent. Where GG4 earned its reputation through consistent potency and resin production, GG5 introduces a spice-forward terpene twist and potentially more sedating effects — though phenotypic expression varies more between grows than with its famous sibling.
Growth Structure and Training
GG5 grows as a branchy, vigorous plant that requires active canopy management from early vegetation onward. The plants produce large, vivid green buds with extraordinary trichome coverage — the \"Glue\" name is well-earned, as scissors and trimmers will gum up rapidly during harvest. Expect significant stretch during the first 2-3 weeks after flipping to 12/12, with plants potentially doubling in height. This makes early training essential: top at the 4th-5th node during veg, then implement LST or SCROG to create a flat, even canopy that maximizes light distribution across all bud sites.
Flowering Time and Harvest
Flowering runs 8 to 10 weeks indoors, with most phenotypes finishing around 60-70 days. GG5 is classified as a very high yielder — indoor harvests can exceed 600 g/m2 under optimized conditions, and outdoor plants in temperate climates can push past 750 g per plant. These impressive numbers come with the caveat that the dense, resinous buds demand rigorous environmental management. Humidity must be kept below 50% from mid-flower onward, dropping to 35-45% in the final two weeks to prevent botrytis in the rock-hard colas. Strong, consistent airflow through the canopy is critical — oscillating fans supplemented by robust exhaust are non-negotiable.
Nutrient Management
The plants are moderate-to-heavy feeders with particular sensitivity to calcium and magnesium during early flowering. Start with a balanced NPK regiment in veg, then transition to bloom nutrients emphasizing phosphorus and potassium from week 4-7 of flower. Watch for magnesium deficiency (interveinal yellowing on mid-canopy leaves) and supplement CalMag proactively. Soil pH should stay at 6.0-6.8; hydro/coco growers should target 5.5-6.5. Be cautious with nitrogen — GG lineage plants can be sensitive to overfeeding, so start conservative and scale up.
Growth Structure and Training
Support structures are mandatory. The combination of heavy colas and vigorous lateral branching means unsupported branches will snap under their own weight in late flower. Use trellis netting at canopy height, and consider a second lower layer for particularly productive plants. Harvest timing is best gauged by trichome color — target 10-20% amber for balanced effects, leaning toward more amber if you want to maximize the sedating body effects GG5 is known for. A slow 4-6 week cure is strongly recommended to fully develop the diesel-forward terpene profile with its characteristic spice undertones.
History & Origin
GG5 emerged from GG Strains' effort to concentrate the best traits of their Glue line by crossing their two standout phenotypes — GG1 and GG4 — back into each other. Joesy Whales (Don Peabody) and Lone Watty (Ross Johnson) co-created the Original Glue family from an accidental pollination of Chem's Sister, Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel around 2009–2012. After GG4 dominated the Cannabis Cup circuit in 2014–2015, they turned to refining the line. GG5 was officially launched in winter 2016 alongside Sister Glue (GG1) in limited-release authorized markets only. In 2017, the Gorilla Glue adhesive company sued over trademark infringement, resulting in a settlement that renamed the strains: GG4 became Original Glue, GG1 became Sister Glue, and GG5 became New Glue. Distribution remains clone-only through verified GG Strains partners. Both co-founders have since passed away — Lone Watty (Ross Johnson) and later Joesy Whales (Don Peabody, d. May 2024 at age 66). GG Strains continues under breeder 10 Bears.
Awards & Recognition
- ●GG4 (parent): 1st Place — 2014 LA Cannabis Cup
- ●GG4 (parent): 1st Place — 2014 Michigan Cannabis Cup
- ●GG4 (parent): Winner — High Times Jamaica World Cup
Frequently Asked Questions
6 common questions about GG5
What is GG5 and what are its genetics?
GG5 is a hybrid cannabis strain (79% Indica / 21% Sativa) bred by GG Strains (Joesy Whales & Lone Watty). It is a cross of Sister Glue (GG1) x Original Glue (GG4), testing at 21–30% THC. GG5 is the intra-family back-cross of the Glue line — Sister Glue (GG1) crossed back into Original Glue (GG4) — created by GG Strains co-founders Joesy Whales and Lone Watty in Las Vegas. Officially launched winter 2016 as a clone-only limited release, it was renamed from 'Gorilla Glue #5' to 'New Glue' after a 2017 trademark settlement with the Gorilla Glue adhesive company.
What does GG5 smell and taste like?
GG5's dominant terpenes are Caryophyllene, Myrcene, Limonene. The aroma is described as pungent and intense. musky diesel dominates up front — a deeper, earthier musk than gg4's brighter gas. layers of black pepper, dark chocolate, damp earth, and pine sap underneath. sweet skunky undertones linger after the jar is closed. breeder describes it simply as 'earthy, piney, chocolate, very potent!'. The flavor profile features earthy pepper and diesel on the inhale, transitioning to a rich pine and dark chocolate mid-palate. exhale brings a slightly sweet herbal finish with a lingering skunky, fuel-tinged aftertaste. willamette week described it as 'diesel-soaked leather and burnt rubber — a fuel-strain lover's perfect pot.'.
What are the effects of GG5?
Creeper. Begins with a lifted, euphoric cerebral wave that clears negative thoughts before the body effects arrive. Reviewers note it can sneak up 5–10 minutes after the first hit. Once the body high lands it is overwhelming. Heavy full-body sedation anchors you to the couch with a warm, tingly wave spreading from the torso outward. Duration is typically long-lasting; 2–3+ hours of heavy effects. the sedation tail can linger well past the peak.. Commonly reported uses include Insomnia and sleep aid, Chronic pain and muscle relaxation, PTSD and stress relief, Appetite stimulation.
How hard is GG5 to grow?
GG5 is rated moderate difficulty. It flowers in 8-10 weeks, reaches medium (with training) in height, and yields 600+ g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor preferred, outdoor environments.
What are the parent strains of GG5?
GG5 is a cross of Sister Glue (GG1) and Original Glue (GG4). Sister Glue (GG1) and Original Glue (GG4) share the same three grandparents — Chem's Sister, Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel — but express different phenotypes. GG4 became the iconic 'stickiest strain alive' pheno that won the 2014 LA and Michigan Cannabis Cups and the 2015 Jamaica World Cup.
Has GG5 won any cannabis awards?
Yes. GG5 has received recognition including GG4 (parent): 1st Place — 2014 LA Cannabis Cup; GG4 (parent): 1st Place — 2014 Michigan Cannabis Cup; GG4 (parent): Winner — High Times Jamaica World Cup.
Sources & References (25)
- https://www.leafly.com/brands/gg-strains/products/gg-strains-gg
- https://www.leafly.com/strains/new-glue
- https://www.hytiva.com/strains/hybrid/gg5
- https://askgrowers.com/strains/gg5-strain-review
- https://growdiaries.com/strains/new-glue
- https://everythingfor420.com/blogs/everything-420/gorilla-glue-5-strain-review
- https://thehighestcritic.com/reviews/strain-review-gg5-by-mohave-cannabis-co/
- https://www.wweek.com/cannabis/2017/07/26/strain-review-gorilla-glue-5-by-devils-lettuce/
- https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/indica-dominant-hybrid/new-glue
- https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/news/joesy-whales-gg-strains-dies-at-66/
- https://seattlehashtag.com/blog/how-did-gorilla-glue-get-its-name
- https://app.jointcommerce.com/blog/category/cannabis-101/the-glue-strain-a-comprehensive-strain-guide/
- Grower's Notes cultivation sources:
- https://www.leafly.ca/strains/new-glue
- https://dssgenetics.com/strains-comparison/gorilla-glue-vs-gorilla-glue-5
- https://www.elevatedmt.com/gorilla-glue-strain-guide-montana
- https://maryjanesbakeryco.com/which-gorilla-glue-strain-is-the-strongest/
- https://thehempdoctor.com/strain-guide/gorilla-glue-strain/
- https://strainguide.app/blog/gg4-strain-effects-terpenes-thc-grow-guide/
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- https://www.3chi.com/blog/thca-flower-history-of-gorilla-glue-4-gg4/
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/gorilla-glue-5/gg-strains
- https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/hybrid/gg5
- https://www.leafly.com/strains/gg4
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