Gruntz

Gruntz is a hybrid strain bred by crossing Gushers x Runtz and is most frequently associated with the Jokes Up brand. Gruntz has been marketed in a number of ways from traditional market and retail operators such as White Cherry Gushers (Backpack Boyz), Midnight Runtz (Gas No Brakes), Money Gun Runtz (Cannarado Genetics) and the pool of Lemon Cherry Gelato x Gushers phenos kicking around in multi-colored mylars. Gruntz also had at least one release from Fire Society – the original breeder of Runtz – released in the California recreational retail market in the summer of 2020.

Gruntz

In terms of genetics, Runtz and Gushers are both Gelato crosses, with Runtz allegedly being the F1 cross of Zkittlez x Gelato by Fire Society and Gushers being Gelato 41 x Triangle Kush developed by Cookies Fam during their partnership era with Connected Cannabis. 

While branded Gruntz is one of the most commonly counterfeited and faked strains in traditional cannabis markets, the Gruntz lineage contains some of the most proliferated genetics in those same markets. This is due to the proliferation of Lemon Cherry Gelato genetics as something of a discount substitute for branded top-quality Runtz. These Lemon Cherry Gelatos come from many Emerald Triangle grows alongside the strains that got backdoored by Cookies and leaked from Connected over the years. 

Consumers should beware the Jokes Up branding specifically, since Jokes Up is a commonly counterfeited traditional market brand that primarily runs on a stamp model. Under a stamp model, a vendor or distributor will pay a representative from a brand like Jokes Up for both the flower and the equivalent of branding rights. Realistically, consumers have no surefire way to confirm that the Gruntz they get is not counterfeit unless it’s from a legal Fire Society Drop. 

Vintage: 2020

Lineage: Gushers (Gelato 41 x Triangle Kush) x Runtz (Gelato x Zkittlez)

Breeder: The Fire Society

Hunter: Ray Bama

Gruntz Strain Effects: Indica or Sativa?

Gruntz would be classified as an indica-leaning hybrid in conventional terms, as the cross is between a couch lock relaxing strain and an even, cerebral body high. Consumers should feel an almost narcotic relaxation that’s best suited for late evenings and before bed. This poly hybrid of two already potent hybrids should leave you high for hours. Different cuts of Gruntz present at different levels of expressive stability, so effects may vary from drop to drop.

Users report Gruntz could be suitable as a sleep aid appetite aid as well as for anti-anxiety and anti-nausea. Users may experience dry eyes and mouth.

Gruntz Strain Characteristics

Gruntz is known for its bulbous structure reminiscent of many Gelato-dominant phenos but the nugs are a bit longer with more calyx layering points (not to be confused with foxtails). Nugs are generally deep green with hints of purple and distinctly few pistils. Most examples of this strain are trimmed tightly, so trichome development isn’t apparent from the outside, despite being quite resinous on the inside. Consumers should expect dense buds of deep green and purple hues that smell strongly of tart candy with an earthy, fruity flavor. The term “exotic” was largely coined to describe buds of this type of hue, shape, density, flavor and trichome coverage.

Gruntz is often tested with trace amounts of caryophyllene, myrcene and terpinolene, all terpenes that are often associated with relaxation and sleep aid.

Growing Gruntz

Gruntz is a clone-only strain, which means growers can only get this in their garden if they have access to a cut or if they hunt bagseeds. Like Gushers and Runtz, this strain is of easy to moderate difficulty to grow. Ideal conditions include a single or multi-topped bush, a medium height canopy and between 59-63 days in flower. Once flowered, cultivators can reverse the flowering process and take further cuts for breeding. Since both parents are clone-only strains, reverse engineering and breeding Gruntz would require a backcross pheno hunt for either of the parents to get the pollen needed to make seeds.