"Released in 2022, Gary Poppins is an exclusive strain from US-based breeder Exotic Genetix. With its complex flavor and robust THC levels, it has quickly made a name for itself among a wide variety of cannabis users. Keep reading to learn more about the strain's diverse terpene profile, its parents, and how it performs in the grow room. History of the Gary Poppins Cannabis Strain Gary Poppins, the progeny of Red Runtz and Gary Payton, is an offering from US-based cannabis breeder Exotic Genetix. It first hit the cannabis scene in 2022, quickly making a name for itself with bold candy-like flavors and THC levels that can reach up to 30%. It is also respected for its incredibly uplifting influence, hitting users with wave after wave of euphoria. More than that, Gary Poppins represents the continued efforts of Exotic Genetix to bring cannabis lovers unique, tasty, and potent strains. This commitment to cutting-edge genetics has been at the core of Exotic Genetix since its conception at the hands of Exotic Mike. Mike has dedicated his career to not only helping people through the power of cannabis, but continually pushing the boundaries of cannabis breeding. With a diverse catalog of strains, it's hard to imagine the breeder’s humble origins—a hydroponic store in Tacoma, Washington. Fast-forward to today, and the strain selection at Exotic Genetix has grown from Supernatural, Essence, and Flurple to include dozens of limited-edition cultivars, including the sought-after Gary Poppins. In fact, the Gary Poppins strain has spawned countless progenies, all harnessing the plant's impressive potency and moreish flavors. Unfortunately, original Gary Poppins seeds are no longer available from Exotic. However, with an entire catalog of offspring, there are still plenty of chances for growers to get creative in the grow room. Genetic Lineage of Gary Poppins Like all sought-after cannabis strains, Gary Poppins owes its success to both the skilled hands of its breeders and its parent plants. In the case of Gary Poppins, we have Gary Payton and Red Runtz to thank for its impressive potency and sweet candy flavors. Gary Payton (named after the NBA Hall of Famer) is a strain that needs little introduction thanks to its slew of cannabis cup awards. Part of an exclusive collaboration between Cookies and Powerzzzup Genetics, Gary Payton boasts great potency, balanced effects, and hints of pepper, lavender, and apricot. The progeny of The Y and Snowman, Gary Payton's most beloved characteristic is its initially uplifting effects that slowly settle into a full-body relaxation. Effects aside, its minty green, grape-shaped buds and electric orange hairs put on an impressive visual performance in the grow room. Working alongside Gary Payton is the Runtz derivative, Red Runtz. The Runtz family is another line of globally revered cannabis. Fortunately, Red Runtz takes that iconic flavor and pushes it even further—bursting with the taste of sour red candy. Interestingly, Red Runtz is another of Exotic Genetix's creations, making its offspring, Gary Poppins, a perfect example of the in-house experimentation that Exotic Mike is known for. Red Runtz also boasts plenty of THC alongside a balanced high that tends to favor physical relaxation over cerebral elation. Physical Characteristics of Gary Poppins Retaining the electric orange hairs of its parent, Gary Payton, Gary Poppins produces impressive-looking buds. Each contains subtle purple hues alongside a generous coating of trichomes. As for the plant itself, leaf shape favors its sativa heritage, while overall size is strongly influenced by its indica genetics. A well-trained Gary Poppins plant is easily manageable for a novice grower, although they'll need to prepare for some stretching as the strain enters flowering. Outdoors, the plant takes advantage of extra space to reach much greater heights than its indoor counterparts. However, plant structure remains much the same, with plenty of lateral growth and sativa-shaped leaves. If you want to push the strain's potential, you'll need to prune well (and often) to keep air flowing and light penetrating deep into the canopy. A final point of note is the subtle coloration of the leaves as plants get deep into the flowering stage. Just like the buds, there are strong hints of red and purple, mimicking its other parent, Red Runtz. Properties and Effects of Gary Poppins While Gary Poppins produces effects on both sides of the spectrum, the strain does favor cerebral stimulation. You'll notice this euphoria almost immediately, with many users reporting an increase in creativity and productivity. However, this heavy mental stimulation does have a ceiling, and effects will slowly start to reach your extremities, soothing physical discomfort and calming the previously active mind. Another area users have fallen in love with is the flavor of Gary Poppins. Thanks to the terpene limonene, flavors are sweet like candy, but with touches of vanilla and"