Tropicana Cherries
Also known as: Trop Cherry
Breeder: Relentless Genetics
Tropicana Cherries is Relentless Genetics' flagship sativa-dominant hybrid merging citrus terp explosion from Tropicana Cookies with cherry gas funk and extreme potency of their Cherry Cookies F3. The #8 phenotype won 1st Place at the 2022 Michigan Cannabis Cup with verified cuts trading at $500–$840 in secondary markets. Tropicana Cherries is prized equally as a top-shelf flower cultivar and a premium extraction input, with its terpinolene-caryophyllene-limonene profile delivering one of the most distinctive fruit-forward flavor signatures in modern cannabis. The Tropicana Cookies parentage contributes vivid purple-to-black color expression and loud citrus aromatics, while Cherry Cookies F3 adds density, resin load, and structural integrity to the flowers.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: Tropicana Cookies x Cherry Cookies F3
Tropicana Cookies (Bloom Seed Co / Oni F2) crosses Forum Cut GSC with Tangie, contributing explosive citrus/orange expression and intense purple coloration. Cherry Cookies F3 is Relentless Genetics' 3rd-generation stabilized stud (GSC x Fire OG Bx1) contributing loud cherry gas funk and exceptional terpene retention.
Lineage Dispute
Relentless Genetics' Cherry Cookies is specifically GSC (Forum Cut) x Fire OG Bx1, NOT Cherry Pie-based. Tropicana Cookies credit is shared between Bloom Seed Co and Oni Seed Co.
Terpene Profile
Limonene — Bright citrus, orange zest from Tropicana Cookies heritage; 0.8–1.2%
Caryophyllene — Spicy cherry gas undertone; 0.5–0.8%
Myrcene — Earthy, herbal base; 0.4–0.6%
Linalool — Floral sweetness contributing calming properties; 0.2–0.4%
Aroma: Loud, complex blend of sweet-tart cherry and pungent zesty citrus with creamy undertones. Extremely loud — carbon filter mandatory from week 3–4.
Flavor: Burst of sour candy, sweet cherry, and tangy orange zest on inhale. Refreshing, slightly earthy spice on exhale.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Fast-acting cerebral rush with euphoria and mental clarity. Immediate mood elevation.
Energized, motivated, and creative with strong sociability. Functional daytime high without couch-lock. Sativa dominance keeps mental state sharp while Cherry Cookies body provides gentle physical relaxation.
Duration: 2–3 hours of functional effects
Commonly Reported Uses
Grower's Notes
Tropicana Cherries (Tropicana Cookies x Cherry Cookies F3) by Relentless Genetics is a sativa-dominant hybrid (roughly 60/40) that grows with moderate-to-strong vertical vigor and ample lateral branching. Expect a notable stretch during the first three weeks of flower — plants can gain 1.5-2x their vegetative height if left unmanaged. Internode spacing is moderate, making this cultivar an excellent candidate for ScrOG, topping, and LST to build a level canopy and maximize light penetration. Indoor height typically stays in the 100-140 cm range with training; outdoors she can push 150-180 cm in full sun.
Yield
Flowering runs 8-10 weeks (60-70 days), with most indoor growers chopping around day 63. Indoor yields of 450-650 g/m2 are well documented, with dialed rooms pushing past 650 g/m2. Outdoor plants in rich living soil with proactive trellising regularly produce 700-1,000 grams per plant, with harvest falling in late September through mid-October in the Northern Hemisphere. Trichome maturity check (milky with slight amber) is the best harvest indicator — do not rely on pistil color alone, as the vivid purple and maroon hues of the calyxes can make visual reads deceptive.
Nutrient Management
Tropicana Cherries is a moderate-to-heavy feeder. In coco or hydro, target an EC of 1.0-1.4 mS/cm during veg, ramping to 1.6-2.2 mS/cm at peak flower (weeks 4-6). She is notably CalMag hungry under high-intensity LED, so supplement accordingly — 3-5 mL/gal CalMag is a common baseline in coco. In soil, maintain pH 6.0-6.5; in coco and hydro, 5.5-6.2. Boost phosphorus and potassium during weeks 4-6 to support the dense flower set, then taper back and flush 7-10 days before harvest.
Growing Media
The strain performs well in soil (forgiving for beginners) and coco coir (faster growth, higher ceiling yields). Hydroponic setups are also viable — the Cherry Cookies parentage responds well to recirculating systems. For lighting, target 400-600 PPFD during vegetative growth and 800-1,000 PPFD during peak flower, with a DLI of 35-45 mol/m2/day. CO2 supplementation to 1,200-1,400 ppm allows pushing PPFD higher and supports heavier feeding, but is not required for strong results.
Environment and Climate
Color expression is a hallmark of this cultivar, inherited from the Tropicana Cookies side. Deep purple, maroon, and near-black hues develop during weeks 7-8 of flower and intensify with cooler nighttime temperatures (60-65°F / 15-18°C). LEDs tend to bring out more purple than HPS. Buds are dense, chunky, and rounded, with fiery orange pistils woven through thick trichome blankets. This density is both a strength (bag appeal, extract potential) and a liability — the tight bud structure creates microclimate pockets that are highly susceptible to botrytis and powdery mildew. Maintain humidity at 40-50% in early flower and drop to 30-40% during late flower. Excellent airflow and strategic defoliation in weeks 3 and 5 of flower are non-negotiable.
Wash and Extraction
For extraction, Tropicana Cherries is a standout wash candidate. Craft processors report 18-24% fresh-frozen bubble hash yields from resin-heavy phenos using gentle ice water agitation. For solventless rosin, press at 75-85°C (167-185°F) for first pull and 85-90°C for second pull at moderate pressure. The terpene profile — led by beta-caryophyllene, limonene, linalool, and terpinolene — carries exceptionally well into live rosin and live resin, producing a signature sweet cherry, tangerine zest, and spicy gas flavor.
Drying and Curing
Post-harvest, dry slowly at 18-20°C (64-68°F) with 55-60% relative humidity for 10-14 days in a dark room. The dense buds hold moisture internally, so patience is critical to avoid case-hardening (dry outside, wet inside). Cure in sealed jars for a minimum of 2-3 weeks, burping daily for the first week. A proper cure deepens the cherry and citrus terps and smooths out earthy undertones. Rushed drying will flatten the complex terpene profile this strain is prized for.
History & Origin
Developed by Relentless Genetics from rigorous multi-generational breeding. The Cherry Cookies F3 stud represents three generations of selection from hundreds of plants each round. The #8 phenotype won the 2022 Michigan Cannabis Cup and has 51+ tracked descendants.
Awards & Recognition
- ●1st Place Hybrid Flower — 2022 High Times Michigan Cannabis Cup
- ●Winner Indoor Flower — 2023 Oregon Leaf Bowl
- ●2nd Place Hybrid — Rooster Magazine THC Classic 2020, Denver CO (The Herbal Cure)
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using Tropicana Cherries as a parent:
Frequently Asked Questions
7 common questions about Tropicana Cherries
What is Tropicana Cherries and what are its genetics?
Tropicana Cherries is a sativa cannabis strain (60% Sativa / 40% Indica) bred by Relentless Genetics. It is a cross of Tropicana Cookies x Cherry Cookies F3, testing at 30%+ THC. Tropicana Cherries is Relentless Genetics' flagship sativa-dominant hybrid merging citrus terp explosion from Tropicana Cookies with cherry gas funk and extreme potency of their Cherry Cookies F3. The #8 phenotype won 1st Place at the 2022 Michigan Cannabis Cup with verified cuts trading at $500–$840 in secondary markets.
What does Tropicana Cherries smell and taste like?
Tropicana Cherries's dominant terpenes are Limonene, Caryophyllene. The aroma is described as loud, complex blend of sweet-tart cherry and pungent zesty citrus with creamy undertones. extremely loud — carbon filter mandatory from week 3–4.. The flavor profile features burst of sour candy, sweet cherry, and tangy orange zest on inhale. refreshing, slightly earthy spice on exhale..
What are the effects of Tropicana Cherries?
Fast-acting cerebral rush with euphoria and mental clarity. Immediate mood elevation. Energized, motivated, and creative with strong sociability. Functional daytime high without couch-lock. Duration is typically 2–3 hours of functional effects. Commonly reported uses include Stress, Depression, Chronic fatigue, Creative focus.
How hard is Tropicana Cherries to grow?
Tropicana Cherries is rated intermediate difficulty. It flowers in 8-10 weeks, reaches medium (3-5 ft indoor) in height, and yields 450-650 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor, outdoor, greenhouse environments.
What are the parent strains of Tropicana Cherries?
Tropicana Cherries is a cross of Tropicana Cookies and Cherry Cookies F3. Tropicana Cookies (Bloom Seed Co / Oni F2) crosses Forum Cut GSC with Tangie, contributing explosive citrus/orange expression and intense purple coloration. Cherry Cookies F3 is Relentless Genetics' 3rd-generation stabilized stud (GSC x Fire OG Bx1) contributing loud cherry gas funk and exceptional terpene retention..
What strains were bred from Tropicana Cherries?
Tropicana Cherries has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Super Trop Cherry. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.
Has Tropicana Cherries won any cannabis awards?
Yes. Tropicana Cherries has received recognition including 1st Place Hybrid Flower — 2022 High Times Michigan Cannabis Cup; Winner Indoor Flower — 2023 Oregon Leaf Bowl; 2nd Place Hybrid — Rooster Magazine THC Classic 2020, Denver CO (The Herbal Cure).
Sources & References (14)
- Grower's Notes cultivation sources:
- Strainpedia Tropicana Cherry strain profile with week-by-week grower notes — https://www.strainpedia.com/tropicana-cherry/
- SeedFinder.eu Tropicana Cherry (Relentless Genetics) strain info and growing recommendations — https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/tropicana-cherry/relentless-genetics
- Hypno Seeds Trop Cherry grow diary and indoor/outdoor yield data — https://hypnoseeds.com/the-blog/how-to-grow-trop-cherry-seeds-2025-grow-diary/
- GrowDiaries Tropicana Cherry by Relentless Genetics diaries and harvest logs — https://growdiaries.com/seedbank/relentless-genetics/tropicana-cherry
- JointCommerce Tropicana Cherries comprehensive strain guide with hash yield data — https://app.jointcommerce.com/blog/category/cannabis-101/tropicana-cherries-strain-a-comprehensive-strain-guide/
- Raw Genetics Tropical Cherry strain review and origin story — https://rawgenetics.com/tropical-cherry-strain-review/
- Weedmaps Tropicana Cherry strain information and award history — https://weedmaps.com/strains/tropicana-cherry
- The Herbal Cure announcement: Tropicana Cherries 2nd Place Hybrid THC Classic — https://theherbalcure.net/tropicana-cherries-wins-2nd-place-hybrid-in-the-thc-classic/
- Rooster Magazine THC Classic 2020 winners — https://therooster.com/articles/best-colorado-cannabis-winners-of-the-thc-classic-2020/
- OA Seeds / Barney's Farm Tropicana Cherry seed listing with yield and flowering data — https://oaseeds.com/en/barneys-farm-seeds-tropicana-cherry.html
- BlackBuffalo Seedbank Trop Cherry Bx1 listing with Relentless Genetics lineage detail — https://blackbuffaloseedbank.com/relentless-genetics/trop-cherry-bx1-relentless-genetics-seeds/
- Top Shelf NC Tropicana Cherry Solventless Hash Rosin with lab-tested terpene breakdown — https://topshelfnc.com/product/tropicana-cherry-solventless-hash-rosin/
- I Love Growing Marijuana Tropicana Cherry strain review 2026 — https://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/strains/tropicana-cherry-strain/
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