Alien Genetics returns with “rotational terp” tech
Plus, 4/20 drops from Archive, Bloom Seed Co, Compound and more.
By David Downs | SAN FRANCISCO - April 16
Good morning, Fire Followers,
Last night I hosted Day 2 of SF Space Walk. Sense and Sunset Connect held court at Mission Cannabis Club. We saw visitors from as far away as Florida, via Ukiah. And Pennsylvania, via San Jose. And Chicago, and central Mexico. It was cool.
Welcome to David Downs’ Fire Follower: Your weekly must-read for the best seeds and clones in the game. Publishing every Wednesday-ish with market-moving, brand-making, actionable genetics intelligence from me, David Downs, based on 15 years on the weed beat, including seven at Leafly.
We trawl all the important socials, seedbanks, web pages, and Discords—so you don’t have to. Please email me your upcoming drop news.
In this week’s newsletter free excerpt:
Alien Genetics drops rotational terp tech.
Dr. Matthew Indest details ways to 10X breeding velocity.
Why Starburst #36 is the strain to watch.
As always, the first hit is free, then I’ll see you in the Pro version.
ROTATIONAL TERPS: The influential maker of Fruity Pebbles OG, Starfighter, and Alien Rock Candy, Alien Genetics is back with four crosses to his Kiwi Sours that are super-hot for 2026. Hundreds of strains bear his fingerprints, including MAC1 and Cookies and Cream. He tells Fire Follower that Alien Genetics is in pursuit of unique terps that have a “rotational”, palate-staining quality.
The hottest release of the Kiwi Sours is Laura Palmer (Paris Rock Candy x Marshmallowz) x Kiwi Sours. Go ahead and get that one before it sells out. He made “hundreds” of packs but it’s already running low.
The key here is the insanely pedigreed Kiwi Sours, Alien Genetics’ Bubble Belts x Moon Arc. What’s in that? The Bubble Belts is (Rainbow Belts 3.0 x Tahoe Alien Bubble Gum) and contains some Indiana Bubble Gum. Moon Arc is Moonbow 112 x Alien Rock Candy. Just an insane amount of pedigree in here.
It’s “my favorite thing I’ve made in a long time,” he said. “It has a terp profile I just could not get away from.”
“It was sour all over the place, a lot of gas, a lot of kiwi fruit flavor, and a ton of candy.”
“It has a bit of a rotational smell: One thing leads you to another and another and back around: gas, bubble gum, the kiwi fruit, sour candy.
“It’s one of those jars you can’t stop opening because it’s a bit of a journey.”
He hit the Kiwi Sours to the (Paris Rock Candy x Marshmallowz) which is [(Perris OG x Alien Rock Candy) x (Hollywood Pure Kush x MoonArc)]. Another epic one in the garden.
“It’s one of the loudest flowers I’ve ever smelled. Being in the room while it is harvested is overwhelming and almost offensive to the senses.”
“Harvested a room of it this morning and the best way to describe it is:
Sharp astringent gas
Pinesol OG Kush
Bitter skunk
Complex perfume with a bit of candy deep in the background.”
Together with the Kiwi Sours? Yes. More from Alien Genetics—including phenotypic variations, growing tips, and business moves—in the full Fire Follower PRO issue this week.
BREED FASTER: Dr. Matthew Indest details the ways to speed up breeding by more than 1,000% in my interview with him for the Cannabis Business Times.
EURO SMASH: The International Cannabis Business Conference is poppin’ in Berlin.
Spannabis moves from Barcelona to Bilbao for April 17-19. Top genetics offerings include Wizard Trees, Sensi Seeds, Higher Heights, Capulator, Purple City Genetics, Bask Triangle Farms Seeds, Equilibrium Genetics, Happy Dreams Genetics / Alpine Seed, Girls Seeds.
See also: Puffco, ABF Genetics, Barney’s Farm, Raw | Elements, Mills Nutrients & Substrates, and Low Temp Industries.
FREEDOM ISN’T FREE: Free Seed Day is April 18 in LA, with a special plea for reciprocity. “Support the vendors, bro.” Serge teases his release.
STRAIN TO WATCH: Starburst #36 #1 beat out 15 strains in thousands of votes across five states to be 710 Labs’ first-ever March Hashness champion. Papaya was knocked out in Round 1. Lemon Heads went 7-0 then fell in the Final Four. Donny Burger and Z came close. But SB36 #1 clinched it. More to come with Higher Ground John.
3 TOP SEED DROPS
This week, we’d recommend:
Bloom Seed Co. has 15 flavors on deck, “most of which will be dropping on 4/20”: Three Pure Guava crosses. Four Rainbow Guava 5 crosses. Three Slime’z hybrids. Four Pomelo Punch 5 works. So much good stuff. Join their new online community post-Instagram and Discord. Free at last.
Archive is also debuting a seven-strain Flavor Pack lineup on 4/20 during a very productive year for Doc. Zwoosh (Zkittlez x Oishii) will be done in as little as 7 weeks. $150 for 12 regs.
Compound Genetics: The full Black Amber Lineup is up for 4/20.
Much more from Cannarado, Bodhi, Mamiko, and Karma in the full PRO edition this week.
Reminders:
Get seeds at SF Space Walk’s Club Party April 18 at a private venue in the SOMA district of SF. Featuring Purple City Genetics, Zeed Vault, Arcana, Purple Caper, NorCal Genetics, and many more. Tickets are just $10.75.
RSVP to Clonetopia 2026 May 16-17. It’s Northern California’s biggest simultaneous clone release ever. With HendRx.Farm, Haze Valley Nursery, Purple City Genetics, Talking Trees, and Phinest. At 7 Stars in Richmond, California, and Solful SF. Support from Vital Garden Supplies, PowrHouse, United Nutrients, Kaya Coir. Reservations are now open for HendRx.Farm Tire Fire OG selection ($1,550 per cut; only 100 available), and a budget Surprise 6-pack of curated cuts. ($150 per 6-pack).
NEW SUBSCRIBER GIFT
Subscribe to a year of Fire Follower PRO this week and get a special gift from Canna Country. CC33 x CC3. Lineage: CC#33 (Ebola #7 x Thin Mint GSC x Purple Haze) x CC 30 (SFV OG x Lemon Kush).
TOP BUD SHOT OF THE WEEK:
In this week’s Fire Follower Pro for $5
More top seed drops from Sensi, Ziplock, Champelli, Aficionado, and more.
Where to get the latest Lululemons clones
New Autos of note
Access to back issues of Fire Follower Pro, featuring dozens more stellar additions for your grow.
Genetics and awards Event Calendar
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See you in the Pro edition.
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