Moonbow Strain

Moonbow Strain: Archive's Candy-Fruit Zkittlez × Do-Si-Dos

The Moonbow strain is a hybrid bred by Archive Seed Bank in Portland, Oregon, by crossing Zkittlez with a Do-Si-Dos phenotype. Zkittlez brings the berry-candy sweetness; Do-Si-Dos brings the dense, frosty structure, a doughy-nutty base and a streak of gas. The result smells like fruit candy, tastes like berries and sour citrus, and delivers a calm, euphoric high that eases into deep relaxation — usually with the munchies and, later, sleep. It sits in the candy-fruit corner of our THCA flower collection.

Most of the Moonbow you'll find is actually one cut: Moonbow #112, Archive's standout selection. Below: the lineage and where sources disagree, the phenotypes, the terpene profile, what the potency numbers actually mean, how the high unfolds, how to use it, how to grow it, and how to judge a bag.

Moonbow Strain Genetics & Lineage

• Type: Hybrid. AllBud calls it an "evenly balanced" 50/50; at least one licensed grower sells it as an indica; and reviewers consistently describe indica-leaning effects.
• Ancestry: Zkittlez × Do-Si-Dos. GrowDiaries lists the Zkittlez parent as "Original Z"; one grower's menu writes it as "ZKZ × Doe-C-Doe." Same cross, different spellings.
• Breeder: Archive Seed Bank, credited by Leafly and SeedFinder. Archive is also the seed company behind Do-Si-Dos itself.
• THC: AllBud lists 18–20%; Leafly 30%; Michigan grower Pro Gro lists 25–29% for its #112.
• CBD: Trace — GrowDiaries lists about 0.5%; most sources list none.
• Aliases: Moon Bow, Mbw, Moonbow #112. Not the same as Moon Boots or Moonbeam.
• Offspring: Leafly lists Rainbow Belts and Oishii as descendants; SeedFinder lists Archive's Moon Glow (Moonbow #112 × Planet Purple F2 #144).

What is Moonbow #112?

Moonbow is a seed line, so it comes in numbered phenotypes from Archive's hunt. #112 is the keeper — Oregon's Leaf Nation called it "Archive's winner," with "half fruit and half nose-tickling gasoline." The same review notes Archive also released a #99, which leans toward Do-Si-Dos bakery scents. Other cuts in circulation include #75 and #73 (used by breeders in crosses like Moonbow #73 × Face Off OG).

Because #112 only existed as a clone, Archive spent more than three years recreating it in seed. SeedFinder lists the result, Moonbow 112 IX — released in 2022 per Leafly — as Flavor Pack × (Moonbow #112 × Moonbow F1), which the breeder calls "the closest thing to the Moonbow #112 in seed form." If a menu just says "Moonbow," it's most likely #112 or a seed-grown relative of it.

Is Moonbow the same as Tzunami?

Pro Gro's strain page notes Tzunami is "the same cross" — Zkittlez × Do-Si-Dos. Same parents doesn't mean same plant: different parent cuts and phenotype hunts give different results. Moonbow is Archive's version.

Moonbow Terpene Profile

Lab data and databases disagree on the lead. One licensed grower's batch averages put limonene first, followed by caryophyllene, linalool, guaiol, eudesmol, pinene and humulene. A tested Illinois batch listed limonene, linalool and beta-caryophyllene as primary. GrowDiaries names caryophyllene as dominant, and Pro Gro lists caryophyllene, limonene and myrcene. Leafly reviewers repeatedly call it linalool-heavy — which fits the calming reputation. Caryophyllene is notable in its own right: a 2008 PNAS study identified beta-caryophyllene as a "dietary cannabinoid" that binds CB2 receptors.

• Limonene: The sour-citrus candy top note from the Zkittlez side and a driver of the euphoric onset.
• Caryophyllene: Pepper and gas from the Do-Si-Dos side, and the only common terpene known to act directly on CB2 receptors.
• Linalool: Floral and lavender-soft; the likely reason Moonbow reads calming rather than racy.
• Humulene: Woody and earthy, part of the nutty base under the fruit.

The berry-candy character isn't a single terpene — it's the Zkittlez chemistry as a whole, and it's louder in fruit-leaning cuts like #112 than in the bakery-leaning #99.

Appearance

Moonbow has strong bag appeal: dense, spade-shaped to rounded buds in bright neon to wintergreen green, often with violet or plum accents, a heavy coat of orange pistils and a thick layer of trichomes. Leafly describes "light-colored buds" that are "densely packed and sugar-coated." AllBud notes blue undertones and blue-tinted trichomes, while Denver's Westword found it "prone to getting hairy." Leaf Nation describes chunky, tight #112 buds with violet and dark green showing through glistening calyxes.

Aroma and Flavor

Open a jar and the first hit is fruit candy — berries above all, with sour citrus, pear and apple. Under that sits a nutty, doughy base from Do-Si-Dos, and in gassier cuts a clear streak of fuel. Westword picked up licorice and a chalky, floral sweetness; Leaf Nation found "sugar cookie dough," cedar, lime, vanilla and blackberry on the #112. Leafly's flavor tags are pear, flowery and chestnut, and reviewers describe grape, tart raspberry and even spicy red wine in a joint.

The inhale is berry candy and sour citrus; the exhale turns sweeter and softer, with floral and earthy notes. One Illinois reviewer described a finish like powdered sweet-and-sour candy that lingers. Not every batch hits the candy hard — some reviewers find it earthier than expected — so the cure matters.

Recreational Effects

Moonbow is a calming strain first. On Leafly (4.6 stars), the most-reported effects are relaxed, happy and euphoric, and the page rates the overall effect "mostly calming." AllBud adds hungry, sleepy and uplifting. Reported effects:

• Relaxed: the headline effect — a body calm that spreads through the limbs.
• Happy and euphoric: a mild, steady mood lift rather than a racy rush.
• Spacey: Leaf Nation's word for the #112, with effects that "compound with no plateau."
• Hungry: Westword and Illinois reviewers both flag strong munchies.
• Sleepy: the late phase, especially at higher doses.

How the high unfolds: onset, peak and duration

• First 5 minutes: a calming head change. Some describe it as fast; Westword called it calm and gradual.
• 15–60 minutes: the peak — euphoric and decompressed, with body tension easing and the appetite kicking in.
• 1–3 hours: a slow slide toward sleepy. Westword clocked the high at two to three hours, ending in yawns.

That arc makes Moonbow an evening strain for most people — something to use after the work is done.

→ Experience it yourself — shop Diesel Hemp's THCA Flower

How Strong Is Moonbow?

Moonbow's potency numbers vary more than most strains', depending on the source and the cut:

• AllBud: 18–20% THC average (AllBud users report batches around 24%).
• Leafly: 30% THC, and "higher THC than average."
• Pro Gro (Michigan grower): 25–29% for its Moonbow #112.
• Island Cannabis batch (Illinois): 29.02% THCA, 0.32% THC and 30.40% total cannabinoids, per Illinois News Joint.

So Moonbow is a strong strain — modern, well-grown batches commonly land in the mid-to-high 20s. The calm, gradual feel can hide that, which is why people overdo it. Leaf Nation's note that the effects "compound with no plateau" is the warning: wait before you take more.

THCA flower is labeled differently from dispensary flower: the lab reports THCA, which converts to THC when heated, plus a small amount of delta-9 THC. When you compare a Moonbow batch against the 18–30% range above, compare total THC on the COA, not the headline number — our guide on how to read a THCA flower COA walks through the math.

Moonbow vs Similar Strains

• vs Zkittlez: the candy parent. Zkittlez is lighter and fruitier; Moonbow adds Do-Si-Dos weight, dough and gas.
• vs Do-Si-Dos: the frosty, sedating parent. Do-Si-Dos is earthier and minty-bakery; Moonbow is brighter and sweeter.
• vs Runtz and Cosmic Runtz: siblings in spirit — Zkittlez crossed with Gelato instead of Do-Si-Dos. Same candy-fruit sweetness and euphoric-to-relaxed arc, a little creamier and with less gas. Cosmic Runtz is the closest match on our shelf.
• vs Rainbow Belts: a Moonbow descendant per Leafly — a similar candy-forward profile.
• vs Rainbow Sherbet and Gushers: other candy-fruit hybrids often compared with Moonbow.

Who Moonbow Is (and Isn't) For

Good fit: evening smokers; anyone winding down after a long day; fans of fruit-candy flavors with some gas underneath; people who want relaxation without a hard couch-lock right away.

Poor fit: anyone who needs a daytime, get-things-done strain, or beginners facing a 29% batch. For a brighter daytime option on our shelf, try Dayglow Mousse.

How to Use Moonbow THCA Flower — and How Much

THCA has to be heated to do anything. Raw, it isn't intoxicating; heat converts it to THC (decarboxylation), which is why the method matters as much as the strain.

• Smoking (joint, pipe, bong): the fastest onset. Take one or two small hits, then wait 10–15 minutes before deciding on more.
• Dry-herb vaporizer: the best way to taste the berry candy before the gas takes over. Around 350–375°F keeps the limonene and linalool; 390–410°F brings out the heavier body.
• Pre-rolls: the no-prep option — see our THCA pre-rolls.
• Homemade edibles: decarb the flower first. Edibles take 30–120 minutes to kick in and last far longer, so start low and wait the full two hours.

How much? New or occasional users: one or two small puffs, then wait 15–30 minutes — Moonbow builds. Regular users usually find two or three hits delivers the full relaxed-to-sleepy arc. You can always add more; you can't take it back.

Medicinal Benefits

These are uses consumers report on Leafly and AllBud, not established clinical outcomes. Individual response varies with dose, tolerance and chemotype.

• Anxiety and stress: the most-cited reason on Leafly (about 29% of reviewers mention anxiety). Westword called it an "exceptional smoke for stress relief."
• Low mood: about 24% of Leafly reviewers.
• Pain and muscle tension: about 16% on Leafly; reviewers describe a gradual easing of aches.
• Sleep and appetite: AllBud lists insomnia, nausea and appetite loss among reported uses, in line with its sleepy, hungry finish.

For a plain-language primer on how terpenes are thought to shape these effects, see Project CBD on terpenes. Nothing here is medical advice, and nothing on this page is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you take prescription medication or have a health condition, talk to your doctor before using any cannabis product.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Dry mouth and dry eyes — Leafly's most-reported negatives.
• Anxiety — less common, but listed on Leafly; most likely at high doses or low tolerance.
• Dizziness and head pressure — GrowDiaries lists dizziness; one reviewer felt headband-like pressure early on.
• Drowsiness and munchies — plan for them.

Is Moonbow good for sleep? Many people use it that way — the tail end is sedating. Don't drive after using it, and talk to your doctor first if you take prescription medication, are pregnant or nursing, or have a heart condition.

Is Moonbow Top Shelf? How to Judge a Good Bag

• Ask which cut. A good seller knows whether it's #112, #99 or a seed-grown Moonbow 112 IX.
• A current third-party COA naming the lab, with THCA, delta-9 and total THC. Treat 30%+ claims without paperwork as marketing. Ours are on the lab results page.
• Candy and dough. Real Moonbow has berry-citrus candy over a nutty, gassy base. Flat hay or plain earth means a poor cure.
• Frost and density, with trichomes inside the bud, not just on the outside.
• Even burn. Leaf Nation praised #112 for burning evenly — harsh, crackling smoke points to a rushed dry.

Growing Moonbow

Moonbow is available from Archive as regular seeds — SeedFinder notes the 112 IX line was never released feminized — so expect to pop several and hunt for a keeper.

• Flowering: about 67 days indoors per SeedFinder's 112 IX listing; other guides say 63–70 days.
• Yield: Archive describes "grenade sized buds stacked on foot long colas"; one grow guide estimates 400–550 g/m² indoors.
• Height: tall and well structured per the breeder, with a solid stretch after the flip — top it and train it low and wide.
• Climate: the buds are dense, so keep humidity low late in flower to avoid bud rot. Cooler nights can bring out the violet tones.
• Related seeds: Archive's Moon Glow (Moonbow #112 × Planet Purple F2 #144) runs 60–72 days.

Is Moonbow THCA Flower Legal?

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is federally legal when it contains no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis — see the USDA hemp program. THCA flower is sold under that rule. State laws differ and are changing, so check your state before you order. And whatever the label says, THCA flower will show up on a drug test — heated, it is THC.

Shop Premium Flower at Diesel Hemp

• Cosmic Runtz THCA Flower — our Zkittlez-family cross — candy-fruit sweetness, heavy frost and a relaxed finish.
• THCA Flower — the full lineup, grown in Colorado by Diesel Hemp and partner farms.
• THCA Pre-Rolls — the same flower, pre-rolled.
• THCA Small Buds — same genetics, smaller nugs, better price per gram.
• What THCA flower actually is — the encyclopedia explainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Moonbow indica or sativa?

Moonbow is a hybrid. AllBud lists it as a balanced 50/50, while some growers sell it as an indica — and most reviewers say the effects lean indica: calming, relaxing and eventually sleepy.

Is Moonbow #112 a sativa or indica?

Moonbow #112 is a phenotype of the same hybrid, Zkittlez × Do-Si-Dos. It's spacey and mood-lifting up front but relaxing overall, so it's usually treated as an indica-leaning hybrid.

What is Moonbow a cross of?

Zkittlez × Do-Si-Dos, bred by Archive Seed Bank in Portland, Oregon.

What is Moonbow #112?

Archive Seed Bank's standout Moonbow phenotype, known for a nose that's half fruit candy and half gas. It's the cut most often sold as Moonbow; Archive later recreated it in seed as Moonbow 112 IX.

How strong is Moonbow?

Strong. AllBud lists 18–20% THC, but Leafly lists 30%, Pro Gro 25–29%, and one Illinois batch tested at 29.02% THCA. Start small and wait — the effects build.

What terpenes are in Moonbow?

Most lab data put limonene first, followed by caryophyllene and linalool, with humulene, pinene, guaiol and myrcene in smaller amounts. Some sources list caryophyllene as dominant.

What does Moonbow taste like?

Berry candy and sour citrus on the inhale, with pear, a nutty, doughy base and a touch of gas. The finish is sweet and floral — some compare it to sweet-and-sour candy.

Is Moonbow good for sleep?

Many people use it at night. It starts calm and euphoric, then turns sleepy over two to three hours, especially at higher doses.

Is Moonbow good for anxiety?

About 29% of Leafly reviewers say it helps with anxiety, and it's rated mostly calming — but 'anxious' still appears among its negatives. Low doses are the safer approach.

Is Moonbow good for beginners?

Only with care. It feels gentle at first but can test near 30%, so take one small puff and wait 15–30 minutes before more.

What strain is Moon Glow?

Moon Glow is another Archive Seed Bank strain — Moonbow #112 crossed with Planet Purple F2 #144, flowering in about 60–72 days.

How long does Moonbow take to flower?

About 63–70 days indoors; SeedFinder lists around 67 days for Moonbow 112 IX.

Where can I buy Moonbow THCA flower online?

Moonbow isn't in the Diesel Hemp shop right now. The closest match is Cosmic Runtz THCA Flower — a Zkittlez × Gelato Runtz selection with the same candy-fruit sweetness and euphoric-to-relaxed arc, ½oz for $69, third-party lab tested, with free shipping over $75. Stock is low, so check the page.

Related Strains

• Zkittlez — the candy-fruit parent.
• Do-Si-Dos — the frosty, doughy parent.
• Cosmic Runtz — Zkittlez × Gelato — our closest in-stock match.
• Runtz — Moonbow's Zkittlez-family cousin.
• Rainbow Belts — a Moonbow descendant per Leafly.
• Rainbow Sherbet — another candy-fruit hybrid in the same lane.
• Gushers — another candy-forward Gelato-family hybrid.
• Gelato — the dessert line behind Runtz.
• Girl Scout Cookies — the cookie line behind Do-Si-Dos.
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