Gary Payton Feminized Seeds

The name Gary Payton might not be familiar to everyone, but the lineage of this hybrid cannabis strain is what makes it a standout variety among West Coast Cookie cultivars. Named after former NBA All-Star turned cannabis entrepreneur Gary Payton, this cross between Snowman and The Y (Cookies x Cherry Pie) is a certain slam dunk for growers looking for high levels of THC or for concentrate production. Clocking in with up to 24% THC, its cerebral effects are noticed first before the euphoria kicks in, though many users have also noted improved focus, making it an all-day strain.

Despite its reputation as a powerful yet highly pleasant strain, Gary Payton is actually relatively easy to grow both indoors and outdoors. Its sativa lineage can turn it into a fairly tall plant (up to 6 ft / 180 cm), so if you are growing under lamps you should keep this in mind, particularly if space is a concern. 

Flowering takes about 8-10 weeks if grown indoors, if grown outdoors you can expect to harvest around mid to late October depending on geography. As a West Coast variety, Gary Payton prefers warm temperatures with a slightly higher than average humidity of around 60%. One thing to keep in mind is the strain’s susceptibility to mold and fungus, so keep a watchful eye on excess moisture.

During the vegetative stage:

During the vegetative stage Gary Payton grows as you would expect from a balanced hybrid, with a dense foliage, but with a little more height and stretch from an indica dominant strain.  From about week two of the veg stage you can start with low stress sraining (LST) techniques. Gary Payton tends to work very well with ScrOG, its bushy structure lends well to being trained with a net that can be adjusted as it grows. You can gradually bend and weave the branches using the net to encourage more lateral growth. This improves light distribution and airflow both of which result in bigger healthier yields.

As the vegetative stage is the period of most rapid growth, it's crucial to feed the plant a nutrient-rich diet comprising Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium (the N-P-K ratio). The feeding should begin roughly a week after the plant has fully established itself. Start with a low dosage building up slowly until a peak is reached midway through the vegetative stage. As the plant nears the flowering stage, it's essential to then taper off the nutrients to allow the plant to transition into the flowering stage just before flipping the lights to 12/12.

During the flowering stage:

Now you are in the flowering stage you can begin with bloom nutrients. Again starting off slowly and building up over a 3-4 week period. By week 1-2 you should begin to see the start of the preflowers, these will develop quickly and within a few weeks they will resemble early buds.

As the plant matures, keep an eye out for its bud structure and size, as well as any changes in color or other visual cues indicating progress. Nutrient requirements are crucial during this period so start to provide more phosphorus and potassium to help bud production. As the flowers develop, you will start to notice the aroma of the Gary Payton strain, a blend of citrus, sweet, and fruity notes.

During the later stages of the flowering stage, around weeks 6-7 you can begin to monitor trichome ripeness. To harvest buds when they are at their most potent look out for a mix of clear and milky trichomes with a few amber ones and they should be ripe for harvesting.

Is Gary Payton indica or sativa?

The Gary Payton strain is a balanced 50/50 indica sativa hybrid. This balance is evident when you grow it, producing a bushy structure but taller than your average indica dominant strain making it great for both indoor and outdoor grows.

Is Gary Payton suitable for beginners?

Gary Payton is relatively easy to grow but might create some challenges for complete beginners. It can grow well both indoors and outdoors, however experience with LST training methods is a must for growers with limited space.

Gary Payton is a potent strain with a fast acting high. Users are often struck by the immediate cerebral stimulation, leading to enhanced creativity and focus. This energetic mental state is balanced by a body relaxation that is calming without being overly sedating. The strain's high THC content can reach up to 25%, providing a powerful effect even for seasoned cannabis users. Overall, Gary Payton delivers a balanced, stimulating, and enjoyable high that doesn’t overwhelm, making it a favorite for recreational use.

How does Gary Payton make you feel?

The high begins with a surge in creativity, focus, and mental energy, facilitating a state of heightened alertness and productivity. This is likely because of its sativa genetics. The effects gradually lead into a soothing high that make you feel calm and relaxed. Users often report a calming body high, characterized by a sense of deep relaxation and tranquility, without the sedative effects often associated with indica dominant strains.

Medical uses of Gary Payton?

Users have reported that the relaxing effects of Gary Payton offer relief from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and chronic pain.

How strong is Gary Payton?

The Gary Payton strain boasts a potent punch with a THC content reaching up to 25%. This high THC level underscores the strain's intensity, delivering a powerful and fast acting high.

Does Gary Payton make you sleepy?

Despite its stimulating cerebral effects, the Gary Payton strain also possesses relaxing properties without inducing significant drowsiness. Users typically report feeling tranquil and at ease post-consumption, making it suitable for unwinding in the evening without necessarily promoting sleep.

Gary Payton offers a velvety smooth inhale with minimal throat hit with a blend of citrusy notes with a sweet, fruity flavors.

What does Gary Payton taste and smell like?

On the inhale users will note a pungent diesel flavor that is robustly spicy yet slightly sweet, whereas the exhale offers an eclectic combination of pine, mint and cinnamon, providing a wonderfully smooth aftertaste in line with the best of the Cookies family that also lingers on the tastebuds.

What are the terpenes in Gary Payton?

The main dominant terpenes in Gary Payton are Beta-Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Pinene. These terpenes not only contribute to the strain's unique taste but also to its characteristic aroma. Beta-Caryophyllene adds a spicy touch, Limonene provides the citrusy zest, and Pinene imparts a fresh piney note.

Gary Payton is not only flavorful and very pleasant to smoke, it packs a punch and its positive effects can linger for hours. Relatively easy to grow, it is a great choice for making concentrates such as wax, which when dabbed, accents the aroma and flavors as well as the overall smoking experience even more.