Moonbow
Also known as: Moon Bow
Breeder: Archive Seed Bank
Moonbow is a landmark hybrid from Archive Seed Bank (Portland, OR), bred by Fletcher Watson aka 'The Docta.' Created by crossing Zkittlez with Do-Si-Dos, it marries candy-forward terpenes with OG-like potency and structure. Archive conducted extensive pheno hunts — famously selecting Moonbow #75 from 200 plants — and refined the line over 3+ years, culminating in the Moonbow 112 IX inbred cross. Leafly users rate it 4.9/5. The strain is a keystone parent in modern cannabis genetics, powering derivatives like Rainbow Belts that dominate solventless competitions nationwide. Moonbow is listed among Leafly's '100 best weed strains of all time' and has become a keystone parent in modern breeding, spinning off heavy-hitters like Rainbow Belts. Archive continues to refine the line, with Moonbow #112 IX representing the culmination of over 3 years of selection work.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: Zkittlez x Do-Si-Dos
Zkittlez contributes rainbow-candy bouquet, vibrant coloration potential, and fruit-forward terpenes. Do-Si-Dos (Archive's OG Kush Breath descendant) adds OG gas, structural density, potency ceiling, and caryophyllene-dominant spice. Together they produce a chemotype with saturated aroma, coated calyces, and heavy resin.
Lineage Dispute
Archive has not officially confirmed the exact Do-Si-Dos phenotype used as the male; SeedFinder and Leafly both list Zkittlez x Do-Si-Dos based on breeder descriptions. Some sources note Do-Si-Dos is Archive's own cut descended from OG Kush Breath.
Terpene Profile
Caryophyllene —
Limonene —
Linalool —
Myrcene —
Humulene —
Ocimene —
Aroma: Sweet rainbow candy and blackcurrant on the open, with zingy lime Zkittlez terps layered over peppery OG spice. Undertones of lavender, tropical fruit, and creamy gas. Burns with a grape-flavored incense and potpourri quality. Total terpene content in well-grown batches: 1.5%–3.0%.
Flavor: Sweet berry candy and sour citrus on inhale, transitioning to peppery kush spice and floral lavender on exhale. Grape-blackberry fruit leather with tartness of raspberry. Some phenos express spicy red wine notes. Strong nose-to-palate fidelity due to high total terpene content.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Slowly building cerebral lift that creeps in subtly then takes hold — initial sativa-like head rush with warmth and energy within 5–10 minutes.
Euphoric and happy with clear-headed focus and creative sparks. Body gradually succumbs to deep physical relaxation without immediate couch-lock. Balanced 50/50 effects: uplifting mental state paired with grounded calm. Can turn sedative at higher doses.
Duration: Long-lasting; initial sativa energy settles into indica calm after ~30 minutes. Total duration 2–3 hours.
Commonly Reported Uses
Grower's Notes
Moonbow is a modern hybrid masterpiece from Archive Seed Bank, bred by crossing Zkittlez with Do-Si-Dos (an Archive-bred descendant of Face Off OG x Kush Breath). Developed by Fletcher Watson ('The Docta') in Portland, Oregon, Moonbow represents the marriage of candy-forward Zkittlez terpenes with OG Kush-like power and structure. The line has been extensively refined, with the #112 phenotype becoming particularly celebrated.
Structure and Stretch
Plants exhibit medium vigor with a moderate stretch of 1.2-1.8x after flipping to 12/12, manageable in standard tents and rooms. The OG influence produces a branchy frame with good lateral development, while Zkittlez contributes to compact internodes on side branches. Most phenotypes develop a well-structured canopy that responds exceptionally well to topping and SCROG training. The Moonbow 112 IX line specifically produces tall, well-structured plants that yield grenade-sized buds stacked on foot-long colas. Plan trellis support before week 3 of bloom, as the dense buds become heavy quickly.
Flower Time and Yield
Flowering window is approximately 56-70 days under 12/12, with most growers reporting the sweet spot at 63-67 days depending on phenotype. The Moonbow 112 IX line averages around 67 days. Yields are moderate to high with proper training, producing dense spear-shaped colas packed with resin. Indoor yields of 400-500 g/m2 are achievable under optimized conditions. Some phenotypes are better suited for flower production while others excel as hash plants with grainy, sandy trichomes ideal for ice water extraction (4-5% wash yields reported on select phenos).
Nutrients and Media
Moonbow performs well in both soil and hydro, with organic soil being particularly effective for maximizing terpene expression. Moderate feeding through veg with standard balanced nutrients; transition to PK-heavy bloom formula. The strain is not excessively hungry but responds well to consistent micronutrient availability. Quality substrate with perlite, peat, or coco coir aids moisture retention without waterlogging. Avoid overfeeding nitrogen in bloom, which can mute the candy terpene expression.
Environment and Light
Moonbow thrives at 75-80F during the day and 68-72F at night through mid-flower, with a gentle night temperature drop to 65-68F in late weeks to promote anthocyanin expression. Keep VPD near 0.8-1.2 kPa in veg and 1.2-1.5 kPa in bloom to balance transpiration and pathogen pressure. Relative humidity should trend from 60-65% in veg to 50-55% in early flower and 45-50% by late flower, with some growers pushing as low as 40% by harvest to protect the dense colas. Provide 600-900 umol/m2/s PPFD during bloom for optimal resin development. Light intensity can be pushed higher with CO2 enrichment.
Color and Bud Structure
Buds are light-colored (lime green base) and densely packed, sugar-coated with a spectacular trichome display. Many phenotypes develop purple and violet hues, especially with nighttime temperature drops below 68F. The trichome coverage is exceptional, with most phenos producing sticky, resin-heavy flowers. The Moonbow 112 line specifically was selected for grenade-shaped buds with long, dense cola structures.
Hash Production
Moonbow is highly regarded in the solventless community. Select phenotypes produce grainy, sandy resin ideally suited for ice water hash extraction. The #31 hash pheno of Moonbow 112 IX was selected specifically for solventless rosin production. Resin heads concentrate around the 73-120 micron range and wash efficiently. Fresh-frozen material processed with gentle 5-15 minute wash cycles in cold conditions yields clean, terpy hash. For flower harvest, target mostly cloudy trichomes with 5-15% amber to balance heady lift with body depth, typically aligning with the 9-10 week mark.
Pest and Disease
Some growers report occasional intersex traits (nanners) under environmental stress. Maintain stable conditions throughout flower to minimize this risk. The dense bud structure requires good airflow and humidity management to prevent botrytis. Standard IPM with preventive biological controls through early flower is recommended.
Drying and Curing
Dry at 60F and 60% RH for 12-14 days. The dense buds hold moisture well, so patience prevents hay-smell from chlorophyll breakdown. Cure for a minimum of 4-6 weeks in sealed jars. The candy, citrus, and floral terpenes develop significantly during extended curing. Overripe harvests or rushed cures can dull the bright citrus-candy notes and shift the profile toward heavier, more sedative territory.
History & Origin
Archive Seed Bank created Moonbow by crossing Zkittlez with their Do-Si-Dos line. The strain emerged from Archive's Portland breeding program led by Fletcher Watson ('The Docta'/'Fletch'). After extensive pheno hunting — selecting Moonbow #75 from 200 plants — Archive refined the line over 3+ years. Key numbered selections (#75, #99, #112) gained legendary status. In 2022, Archive released Moonbow 112 IX (Moonbow #112 F1 x Moonbow #112 F2 #60), an inbred cross that faithfully recreates the #112 clone in seed form. Leafly named Do-Si-Dos (Moonbow's parent) Strain of the Year 2021, and the Moonbow family spawned award-winning derivatives that dominate modern menus.
Awards & Recognition
- ●3rd Place — Recreational Sativa Flower — 2021 High Times Cannabis Cup Michigan (Pure Options, Moonbow 112)
- ●1st Place — Recreational Pre-Rolls — 2021 High Times Cannabis Cup Michigan (Pure Options, Moonbow 112)
- ●3rd Place — Medical Flower — 2021 High Times Cannabis Cup Michigan (Pure Options, Moonbow 112)
- ●3rd Place — AU Hybrid Flower — 2023 High Times Cannabis Cup Michigan (Pro Gro, Moonbow #12)
- ●Leafly Strain of the Year 2021 — Do-Si-Dos (Moonbow parent)
- ●Leafly '100 Best Weed Strains of All Time' — Moonbow
- ●Rainbow Belts derivatives: multiple High Times Cup, Emerald Cup, and Clash hash competition wins
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using Moonbow as a parent:
Frequently Asked Questions
7 common questions about Moonbow
What is Moonbow and what are its genetics?
Moonbow is a hybrid cannabis strain (50/50) bred by Archive Seed Bank. It is a cross of Zkittlez x Do-Si-Dos, testing at 20–30% THC. Moonbow is a landmark hybrid from Archive Seed Bank (Portland, OR), bred by Fletcher Watson aka 'The Docta.' Created by crossing Zkittlez with Do-Si-Dos, it marries candy-forward terpenes with OG-like potency and structure. Archive conducted extensive pheno hunts — famously selecting Moonbow #75 from 200 plants — and refined the line over 3+ years, culminating in the Moonbow 112 IX inbred cross.
What does Moonbow smell and taste like?
Moonbow's dominant terpenes are Caryophyllene, Limonene. The aroma is described as sweet rainbow candy and blackcurrant on the open, with zingy lime zkittlez terps layered over peppery og spice. undertones of lavender, tropical fruit, and creamy gas. burns with a grape-flavored incense and potpourri quality. total terpene content in well-grown batches: 1.5%–3.0%.. The flavor profile features sweet berry candy and sour citrus on inhale, transitioning to peppery kush spice and floral lavender on exhale. grape-blackberry fruit leather with tartness of raspberry. some phenos express spicy red wine notes. strong nose-to-palate fidelity due to high total terpene content..
What are the effects of Moonbow?
Slowly building cerebral lift that creeps in subtly then takes hold — initial sativa-like head rush with warmth and energy within 5–10 minutes. Euphoric and happy with clear-headed focus and creative sparks. Body gradually succumbs to deep physical relaxation without immediate couch-lock. Duration is typically long-lasting; initial sativa energy settles into indica calm after ~30 minutes. total duration 2–3 hours.. Commonly reported uses include Stress relief, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia (higher doses).
How hard is Moonbow to grow?
Moonbow is rated intermediate difficulty. It flowers in 8-10 weeks, reaches medium-tall in height, and yields 400–500 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor, outdoor, greenhouse environments.
What are the parent strains of Moonbow?
Moonbow is a cross of Zkittlez and Do-Si-Dos. Zkittlez contributes rainbow-candy bouquet, vibrant coloration potential, and fruit-forward terpenes. Do-Si-Dos (Archive's OG Kush Breath descendant) adds OG gas, structural density, potency ceiling, and caryophyllene-dominant spice.
What strains were bred from Moonbow?
Moonbow has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Rainbow Belts, Crossbow, Moon Glow, DosiBow, Double Cross. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.
Has Moonbow won any cannabis awards?
Yes. Moonbow has received recognition including 3rd Place — Recreational Sativa Flower — 2021 High Times Cannabis Cup Michigan (Pure Options, Moonbow 112); 1st Place — Recreational Pre-Rolls — 2021 High Times Cannabis Cup Michigan (Pure Options, Moonbow 112); 3rd Place — Medical Flower — 2021 High Times Cannabis Cup Michigan (Pure Options, Moonbow 112).
Sources & References (9)
- https://archiveseedbank.com/products/moonbow-112-ix
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/moonbow/archive-seed-bank
- https://www.leafly.com/strains/moonbow
- https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/next-generation-dosidos-and-moonbow-strains-are-archive-seed-banks-next-legends
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/crossbow/archive-seed-bank
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/rainbow-belts/archive-seed-bank
- https://app.jointcommerce.com/blog/category/cannabis-101/moonbow-by-archive-seed-bank-a-comprehensive-strain-guide/
- https://pureoptions.com/moonbow-112/
- https://mayflowermass.com/product/moonbow-flower/
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