Pink Guava

Pink Guava is the pheno #41 selection from DEO Farms' OZ Kush F2 project — the cross of Zkittlez and OG Eddy Lepp (an OG Kush phenotype) originally bred by Dying Breed Seeds. Selected by Rob of Deep East Oakland for its unmistakable tropical guava nose, this cut became the genetic backbone behind RS-11, RS-54, and Zoap, three of the most commercially significant exotic cultivars to emerge from California's underground market in the 2020s. Growing the mother plant itself is a study in OG-meets-Z architecture.

Structure and stretch are manageable. Pink Guava inherits the compact, bushy frame of its OZ Kush parentage — expect tight-to-moderate internode spacing, broad indica-leaning fan leaves, and a stretch multiplier in the range of 1.5x to 1.8x after the flip to 12/12. The plant stays squat relative to many modern hybrids, typically finishing between 3 and 5 feet indoors depending on veg time. Multiple strong lateral branches develop naturally, making it an excellent candidate for low-stress training (LST) and SCROG setups that exploit its branching habit. Avoid aggressive topping or high-stress training — the Z lineage can be sensitive to physical stress, and the plant's natural structure already provides good light distribution with minimal intervention.

Flower time runs 8 to 9 weeks for most growers, though some phenotypic expressions — particularly those leaning toward the Gelato/Cookies side of the family tree — may push toward 10 weeks for full trichome maturity. Monitor trichomes closely from week 7 onward; the OG heritage tends to produce a rapid transition from clear to milky heads with amber developing quickly thereafter.

Yield is moderate to strong. Indoor growers report 400 to 550 grams per square meter under optimized LED lighting with proper training and canopy management, translating to roughly 1.5 to 2.0 pounds per light in commercial setups. Outdoor plants in temperate California climates can produce 500 to 700 grams per plant with adequate root zone volume and full sun exposure, harvesting in mid-to-late October.

Environmental parameters are critical for quality expression. Daytime temperatures of 72 to 78°F with nighttime drops to 65 to 70°F support steady bud set and resin production. Humidity should be managed carefully through flower: 55 to 60% in early bloom, dropping to 45 to 50% in mid-flower, and further to 40 to 45% in the final two weeks. VPD targets of 0.9 to 1.2 kPa during bloom maintain optimal stomatal conductance. The dense bud structure inherited from the OG side makes botrytis (bud rot) the primary environmental threat — strong horizontal airflow and strategic defoliation around weeks 3 and 6 of flower are essential preventive measures.

Light intensity should be maximized within reason. The heavy trichome production responds well to strong LED or HPS lighting, and CO2 supplementation at 900 to 1,100 ppm can push yields toward the upper end of the range while enhancing resin density.

Color expression is one of Pink Guava's signature visual traits. Under cooler nighttime temperatures — a drop to 55 to 65°F during the final two to three weeks of flowering — anthocyanin pigments produce delicate pink, rose, and reddish hues in the calyxes and sugar leaves. The pistils tend toward bright pink-orange, curling around densely packed calyxes with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio. Forest green base coloring with purple and blue undertones is common in well-finished flowers.

Pest and disease management follows standard IPM protocols, though the density of the flowers demands extra vigilance. Powdery mildew resistance is average — silicon foliar applications, proper VPD management, and adequate plant spacing are the first line of defense. Spider mites and thrips should be monitored weekly with biological controls deployed preventively. The cultivar is not noted for hermaphrodite instability under reasonable growing conditions, though severe stress — light leaks, extreme heat, or aggressive physical damage — can trigger intersex traits as with any cultivar.

Drying and curing demand patience to preserve Pink Guava's volatile monoterpene profile. Slow-dry at 60 to 65°F in complete darkness at 55 to 62% relative humidity for 10 to 14 days. Monoterpenes — particularly limonene, which drives the guava and citrus top notes — evaporate readily at elevated temperatures, so never exceed 70°F during drying. Once stems snap cleanly, transfer to airtight glass jars for curing. Burp daily during the first week, then every 2 to 3 days thereafter. A minimum 3- to 4-week cure at 60 to 62% RH allows the tropical complexity to fully develop. Boveda 62% humidity packs help maintain consistent moisture levels. Storage near 0.55 to 0.62 water activity stabilizes the volatile terpene compounds for longer shelf life.