Fast Buds helps you enjoy champion weed in record time.

With growing season in full swing, cannabis cultivators across the country are hard at work searching for their new favorite strains. One of the foremost seedbanks offering quality genetics to American growers is Fast Buds, a group of autoflower specialists who have been breeding ever since they arrived on the scene over a decade ago. Gaining a reputation for their Gorilla genetics, their most-awarded Gorilla crosses are Gorilla Cookies, Strawberry Gorilla, and Gorilla Zkittlez. We just checked in on Fast Buds’ effort to popularize autoflowering seeds in backyards across the USA, and, as befitting their name, they haven’t slowed down since. 

Leafly readers get 15% off Fast Buds autoflowering strains with code LFL420.

Fast Buds has been filling their trophy case in recent years, running the table at strain competitions all over the world, including several prestigious cannabis cup victories. Competing at the American Autoflower Cup, Farmer’s Cup, Spannabis Champions Cup, Autoflower World Cup, Dab-A-Doo Brasil, and more year after year, their breeders rarely come home empty-handed. It’s safe to say that this brand of cannabis autoflowering seeds is well on their way to redefining what you can expect from autoflowering strains worldwide.

We’ve got a roundup of some of those selfsame champion strains so you can get a taste of the winning spirit and pick out some GOATs for your garden.

Strawberry Gorilla Auto

One of the most decorated strains in the Fast Buds’ stable, Fast Buds’ Strawberry Gorilla Auto took home two prestigious awards in 2023, winning Best Sativa at the American Autoflower Cup in Los Angeles in January and the ‘Highest Combined Terpenes’ title in the Home Grow Hash at the 2023 Farmer’s Cup. This latest victory in the Farmer’s Cup is quite the feather in Strawberry Gorilla Auto’s cap — not only did Fast Buds amazing autoflower hold its own against the competitor’s photoperiod strains, Strawberry Gorilla Auto’s terpenes triumphed, scoring a point for autoflowers everywhere. 

Coming in bold with intense strawberry flavor, Strawberry Gorilla Auto has tested with a jaw-dropping 28.417% THC and 29.86% total cannabinoids. That’s enough to make even those with well-developed tolerances sit up and take notice, and extractors will love how much juicy resin each bud will produce. Growers of all skill levels can expect their Strawberry Gorilla plants to reach maturity in around ten weeks, when the chunky, frosty buds are ready to go. Our advice is to take some photos before you harvest; a looker on the tier of Strawberry Gorilla Auto ought to be celebrated.

Gorilla Cookies Auto

The ruling silverback among Fast Buds Autoflowers, Gorilla Cookies Auto is Fast Buds’ flagship autoflowering strain. This balanced hybrid has scored multiple awards over the years, including a victory at the Expo Grow competition and Best Autoflower at the 2022 Cosecha Cup. Gorilla Cookies also snagged the prestigious Best Indica award at the 2022 Autoflower World Cup, and honestly, it was no surprise. Gorilla Cookies has it all; it’s incredibly potent (testing at a whopping 28.5% THC!), high-yielding, resilient in many different indoor and outdoor climates, and boy, is it flavorful. The impressively high THC levels translate into an intense resin production, making her buds almost completely white and covered in trichomes late in the flowering stage.

If you elect to try your hand at growing Gorilla Cookies Auto, you can expect trichome-frosted buds around the size of poker chips, in around ten weeks in good conditions. Gorilla Cookies Auto also loves to stretch out, reaching up to 150cm at maturity. It’s a bit difficult to describe the flavor of Gorilla Cookies; those who have had the pleasure report notes of hazelnut, earth, dank, and even more. That might be a bit vague, but there’s only one surefire way to discover Gorilla Cookies Auto’s complex flavor: Grow it yourself.

Gorilla Zkittlez Auto

Gorilla Zkittlez Auto is another of Fast Buds’ legendary crosses that makes use of DNA from the Gorilla family, featuring a potpourri of enticing terpenes that runs the gamut from earthy, spicy early notes to a cotton-candy finish. This strain took home top honors from the 2022 Dab-A-Doo Brasil competition by charming judges with its ludicrous 29.85% total cannabinoid percentage, making Gorilla Zkittlez Auto one of the most potent autoflowering strains to be found, in addition to being one of the tastiest.

A hybrid with a balanced effect, Gorilla Zkittlez Auto makes a great smoke at any time of day, which means fans of this Fast Buds favorite may go through their stocks quickly. Luckily, Gorilla Zkittlez Auto is a shockingly high-yielding strain as well, producing up to 650gr/m² in as little as 63 days in ideal conditions. With yields like that, growers don’t ever need to be shy about indulging their love for this treat of a strain.

Banana Purple Punch Auto

The definitive end to all lingering questions about autoflowers’ ability to stack up to photodependent strains, Banana Purple Punch Auto is one of the most potent autoflowers ever tested. Tested at MJ Biz Con in 2023, Banana Purple Punch was shown to have a mind-blowing, earth-shattering 30.4% THC. That puts Banana Purple Punch solidly among famously potent strains like Green Crack and Bruce Banner, but with all the speed and convenience of an autoflower.

This indica-like will produce a respectable amount of bud in a lightning-fast seven weeks. With all these factors in Banana Purple Punch’s favor, it had no trouble winning Best Indica in the 2023 American Autoflower Cup, and it won’t have any trouble winning a spot in your heart, either.

Papaya Cookies Auto

Hash lovers, rejoice; your time has come. One of the most exciting strains on Fast Buds’ roster, Papaya Cookies is also the second-place winner of the 2024 Best New Strain award at the Autoflower World Cup. Papaya Cookies’ intense THC percentage and far-above-average resin concentration make this sativa-leaning hybrid a dream for hash makers and extractors of all kinds, but that’s not the only thing that Papaya Cookies has going for it. The judges at the AWC noted Papaya Cookies’ delicious, complex flavor as a major strong point.

Receptive to a variety of both indoor and outdoor conditions, Papaya Cookies is a great candidate for growers of all experience levels and takes well to common plant training methods. Expect your buds in just eight weeks, with up to 29% THC for full-day potency.

Apricot Auto

The winner of the blue ribbon for Best Sativa Strain at the 2024 Autoflower World Cup, Apricot Auto is a potent number with a flavor profile unlike any you’ve experienced before. As you might expect, Apricot Auto has a taste heavily reminiscent of the fruit that shares its name, a surprising and innovative flavor in cannabis. The tangy mix of sweet and sour makes for an excellent pairing with Apricot Auto’s dank notes, making Apricot Auto a truly unparalleled experience on the smoke.

Growers have found that Apricot Auto’s thick, resinous buds make it an excellent candidate for making concentrates, and with up to 26% THC content, any edibles made with Apricot Auto as a base will be plenty heavy-hitting. Apricot Auto will reach full maturity in around nine to ten weeks, so get planting now so you can have this delicious strain ready for summer’s peak.

Ztrawberriez Auto

The winner of the Best Sativa prize at the 2024 American Autoflower Cup, Ztrawberriez Auto’s smorgasbord of sweet and fruity terps has been winning hearts and minds across the country. Judges, growers, and anyone else who has had the pleasure to enjoy Ztrawberriez Auto report that this autoflower is an ideal daytime smoke, elevating consumers’ moods and energy levels without giving an overly stoney feeling and testing with up to 25% THC to melt worries away.

Ztrawberriez Auto is also a linebacker against pests and rough environments; even in sub-ideal conditions, Ztrawberriez Auto seeds will yield about 600g/m² in as little as nine weeks. With speed, quality, and flavor all set to the max, it’s easy to see why Ztrawberriez Auto beat out the competition.

Fast Buds has these champs, plus heaps more autoflowering strains on their website. Right now, you can get these strains and more for 15% off from Fast Buds with code LFL420. They are continuously launching new strains, running huge sales and giveaways, as well as educating consumers on the many, many benefits of autoflowers. You can also follow them on social media for interviews with growers, updates on new strains, and announcements of (even more) cannabis cup victories. Happy growing!

Availability subject to law.

The King of the Ring & the Queen of Seeds make a great 1-2.

Royal Queen Seeds, the award-winning European seed bank that has recently captured the hearts and minds of many American growers, isn’t the type of outfit to just sit around on its laurels. Their high-quality genetics and respect for cannabis tradition have earned both our interest and respect ever since they made their way across the Atlantic, and they’re not even close to running out of tricks.

The drive, focus, and determination that brought Royal Queen Seeds to the apex of the weed world are shared by their newest collaborator, Kid Dynamite himself, Mike Tyson. ‘Iron’ Mike is one of the most famous and recognizable heavyweight boxers ever to tie on a pair of gloves.

His iconic tattooed face has been everywhere from the silver screen to the breakfast cereal aisle, and these days, Iron Mike is becoming the champ of a different arena, cannabis. His Tyson 2.0 pre-rolls, concentrates, and edibles have all made a splash in markets all over the states, and now, thanks to an exclusive partnership with Royal Queen Seeds, you can finally grow these strains for yourself. 

These two titans have come together to bring homegrowers some of the most exciting new seeds we’ve seen. In the later rounds of this article we’ll fill you in on the details of these new strains, but first, let’s take a look at why Mike Tyson and Royal Queen Seeds make such a powerful combo.

Get the champ in your corner

If you thought that Royal Queen Seeds’ collaboration with Iron Mike is just another celebrity endorsement, another in the long line of pretty faces trying to sell otherwise unremarkable weed, you’d better think again. Tyson brings far more than just his famous tattooed mug to the proceedings.

In recent years, Kid Dynamite has become an outspoken cannabis advocate, evangelizing for the plant’s incredible medical and recreational properties most every time he finds himself in front of a microphone, like on his weekly podcast, Hotboxin’. He’s also shown himself to have impeccable taste and a vast knowledge of weed and its history, making him one of the most dynamic personalities in the cannabis space today.

Mike has confirmed that cannabis has been a part of his life for many years and has helped him cope with both physical and mental stress, the same struggles that bring many Americans to cannabis today. This all goes to what makes this exclusive collaboration all the more special; these strains weren’t developed only by Mike Tyson, The Baddest Man on the Planet, but also by Mike the Grower, the tireless cannabis advocate and homegrowing enthusiast.

Mike the Grower is out to spread the love of growing like a modern-day Johnny Appleseed, albeit one with a champion belt and a devastating left hook. But his cannabis bonafides are as legit as they come, and we’re thrilled that Iron Mike is a kindred spirit. 

It’s tough to imagine a better collaborator for Tyson than Royal Queen Seeds. Royal Queen Seeds brings Tyson 2.0 to the next level in the same way that a great coach brings the most out of a talented fighter. RQS is a team of cannabis breeder’s breeders, with decades of experience delivering top-quality seeds to growers. 

In the same way that a good boxing couch can take a fighter to the next level, Royal Queen Seeds brings Tyson 2.0 to even greater heights. You can be sure that any seeds ordered from RQS meet their exacting standards of genetic quality and pedigree purity, and at an affordable price to boot. Said Tyson: “If you’re the best in the world at what you do, most likely, we’re gonna be partners.”  

What else is there to say? Some of the best of the best are teaming up to make themselves even better. Let’s get ready to rumble and take a look at the first six strains on offer from Royal Queen Seeds and Tyson 2.0.

Royal Queen Seeds x Tyson 2.0 Gelato 44

Descended from Sunset Sherbert and Thin Mints GSC, Gelato 44 is a powerful indica-dominant hybrid that doesn’t pull its punches. Newer growers need not apply; Gelato 44 is a strain that requires a consistent amount of light and good soil quality to thrive, making it a better fit for experienced growers.

While Gelato 44 is not for the faint of heart, either for growing or for smoking, those who can hang ten rounds with this strain will find that it offers a tasty citrus flavor and a pleasantly relaxing, occasionally euphoric sensation. Gelato 44 is also potent enough to overcome Iron Mike’s formidable tolerance. Growers can expect their buds to be around 22% THC by volume. 

Royal Queen Seeds x Tyson 2.0 Dynamite Diesel 

Named for Kid Dynamite, one of Mike’s many monikers, Dynamite Diesel is a piston-punching indica-like that’ll put even frequent cannabis consumers flat on their backs. Dynamite Diesel has DNA from two legendary strains you’re probably familiar with, Sour Diesel and Skywalker OG. With genetics like those, there was no way that Dynamite Diesel would wind up with a glass jaw—on the contrary, it’s more than worthy of bearing one of Mike’s names. This beauty takes particularly well to outdoor environments and can reach titanic 200 cm heights. Plant some this season, and you’ll have a full tank of gas come harvest.

Royal Queen Seeds x Tyson 2.0 NYC Sour D Auto 

A favorite of the man himself, with NYC Sour D, you can now grow the strain that charmed The Baddest Man on the Planet. While most of the Tyson 2.0 strains are pretty heavy hitters, NYC Sour D is a lighter affair, a sour, citrus, and gas-flavored sativa perfect for an energetic morning smoke or midday rally.
Growers working with limited space will love NYC Sour D. It only grows to around 80 cm tall when grown indoors, perfect for most tents and balconies. NYC Sour D Auto comes from fine genetic stock, an heir of NYC Diesel and Sour Diesel Auto. The result is an autoflowering strain that doesn’t skimp on all the good stuff. Who says good things can’t come in small packages?

Royal Queen Seeds x Tyson 2.0 GOAT’Lato Auto

You can tell that the Tyson 2.0 team knew they had something special when they named this strain. GOAT’Lato Auto is a cross between Cookies Auto and Tyson’s own Gelato 44, an inspired combination that has resulted in a true contender. A fast-growing indica-dominant hybrid that can be ready to harvest in as little as ten weeks, GOAT’lato Auto is tough to beat if you need to grow your stash quickly.

Nearly as fun to say as it is to smoke, GOAT’Lato Auto also has the rare distinction of being among the most flavorful of all of Royal Queen Seeds’ vast stock, a tasty terpene-packed treat that comes on quickly and takes no prisoners. Fans of GOAT’lato Auto report that it’s an incredible focus aid, helping them lock in and KO chores in the first round. But is it truly the greatest Gelato of all time? Order from Royal Queen Seeds today and find out for yourself. 

Royal Queen Seeds x Tyson 2.0 Punch Pie 

Another of Iron Mike’s personal favorite strains, Punch Pie is a pleasure to grow for indoor and outdoor setups alike. Punch Pie’s genetics include strains like Purple Punch and Purple Kush, making it as true an indica as you’re likely to find. You’ll see it in the grow; Punch Pie likes to spread out in wide bushes, topping out at about 150 cm in ideal outdoor conditions.

When it’s time to harvest, you’ll be greeted by gorgeous, sweet-smelling buds that are caked in resin. Like any great fruit pie, you’ll be able to taste a whole medley of berries in Punch Pie, with notes of blueberry and cherry accompanied by earthy undertones. You can expect some serious couch-lock as well. The best part about Punch Pie is that it doesn’t even need that long in the oven. You can expect to harvest your Punch Pie plants in about nine weeks after planting.

Royal Queen Seeds x Tyson 2.0 Corkscrew Auto

For the final entry in our list, we’ve got a slightly sativa-dominant hybrid dubbed Corkscrew Auto. Corkscrew is the descendant of Cherry Pie Auto and Tangie, two easy-to-grow strains that can hold their own in rough conditions. Corkscrew Auto has the grit to go all ten rounds and make its genetic stock proud; it’s a tough customer that’ll thrive in whatever setup you have at home.

On the smoke, Corkscrew leads with a haymaker. You’ll feel the cerebral effects as soon as you take the first hit, helping you feel energetic and creative. Corkscrew Auto will take a touch longer than some of the other seeds on this list to harvest, but trust us, and trust Mike. Corkscrew Auto is well worth the wait.

And there’s the final bell! That’s all the Tyson 2.0 strains currently available from Royal Queen Seeds, but stay tuned—this partnership may well go the distance. Make sure to visit the Royal Queen Seeds website and follow them on socials to keep yourself up-to-date on all the new seeds they have in store. Likewise, you can keep up with Tyson 2.0 by heading to their website and following them on social media to see what sort of big moves Kid Dynamite and his crew have planned for the next round. Happy growing!

Availability subject to law.

Spring has sprung and with it fresh veggies in the garden. High season has also kicked in for cannabis gardeners: clone and seed sellers are doing brisk business as growers big and small ramp up for the 2024 full-sun outdoor run.

You can grow a pound of AAA-grade buds off a single outdoor plant if you get started today. Here’s how from Leafly’s weed grower’s guide to 2024.

Where to start

Start with Leafly’s first-ever Weed Gardener’s Almanac for 2024. Learn the right thing to do at the right time to stay synced with the seasons and maximize your investment in seeds, soil, water and time.

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The official Leafly Weed Gardener’s Almanac 2024

You can also start with Leafly’s Learn/Growing section—our evergreen guide to the basics of weed gardening.

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Leafly’s guide to growing marijuana

What to grow

Man, do we have some options for you! Our affiliate link partners want you to start with “The best cannabis seed companies”. Featuring groups like:

ILGM.com

Seed Supreme

DNA Genetics

Royal Queen Seeds

Homegrown Cannabis Co

Cookies Seed Bank

Premium Cultivars

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The best cannabis seed companies

Beyond that, we published our biggest, independently reported, 100% organic, 100% AI-free guide to the best seeds and clones to grow in 2024. Part 1 has the hot-hot new-new from the top dogs. Part 2 digs into strains related to Sour Diesel and Chemdog and such. Part 3 focuses on strains perfect for making extracts (aka hash) both old-school and new.

Modern cannabis too strong for you? No sweat, we have some excellent picks for strains with a balanced amount of THC (which causes euphoria) and CBD (which can moderate THC’s effects).

How to grow it

So you figured our where to start and what you want to grow—now you need to know how to grow it!

For that we got a fresh story on the ‘living soil’ wave sweeping cultivation. What is living soil? Read about it and start that compost pile today!

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What is ‘living soil’ weed and why does it rule?

For even more, check out: How to make organic soil

There’s even more to vegetation and flowering.

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How to top and prune marijuana plants

Get pest management tips from Kannabia Seed Company.

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How to keep your grow pest-free with Kannabia Seed Company

Leafly Strain of the Year 2023 is Permanent Marker—Here’s how to grow that strain and catch that wave.

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How to grow the Permanent Marker strain

How to harvest it

Growing is only half the battle. So much good pot is destroyed in the drying and curing phase where you got to keep temps low, humidity balanced, and avoid mold.

Here’s some fresh drying tips for an experienced master.

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Expert interview: The science of saving those terps at harvest

Then check out our evergreen guides to drying and curing:

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The ultimate guide to drying and curing cannabis for the best results

Troubleshooting your garden

If you want to make God laugh, tell Her your plans. When things go off the rail, practice a positive, solution-oriented mindset and enjoy the chance to learn something new from our troubleshooting guides.

The best part about growing weed is the friends you make along the way. You’ll be stronger and happier when you grow in community with your fellow gardeners and cannabis culture. Plug into your new network by attending these amazing cannabis events, all across the country.

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Ultimate weed contest calendar of 2024

Are you excited about growing a pound yet? You should be. The golden era of ganja shines even brighter when every garden has a seven-leafed tree poking out of it. Remember: She who is not busy growing is busy buying!