Green Ribbon: The California Yield Queen
Green Ribbon: The California Yield Queen
Strain Overview
Type: Balanced / Sativa-Leaning Hybrid (50% Indica / 50% Sativa)
Breeder: Clone-Only Origin (San Jose, California)
Lineage: Trainwreck x Afgooey
Market Status: The "Breeder's Gold"; Green Ribbon is a legendary cut that emerged from the San Jose medical scene in the early 2000s. While it is an excellent smoke in its own right, its true claim to fame is its status as a breeding matriarch. It is famous for possessing "unlimited yield potential" and vigorous growth. Because of this, elite breeders like TGA Subcool (who used it to make Galactic Jack) and Exotic Genetix (who used it for Mint Chocolate Chip) utilized Green Ribbon to inject size and structure into their lines without sacrificing potency.
THC Content: Moderate-High (18% – 22%)
Dominant Terpenes: Pinene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene
Key Effects: Social Energy, Creative Buzz, Physical Ease, Mood Elevation
Green Ribbon is a throwback to the days of big, loud California cash crops.
Before the market shifted toward small, purple, rock-hard "exotics," strains like Green Ribbon ruled the scene because they delivered massive harvests of bright lime-green buds that smelled like a fruit orchard. It is a classic "happy weed"—it doesn't try to knock you out; it tries to lift you up.
History and Lineage: The San Jose Legend
The origin of Green Ribbon is a classic tale of California clone culture.
The Mother (Trainwreck): A Humboldt County legend. Trainwreck is famous for its racy, electric high and spicy, piney aroma. It gave Green Ribbon its Sativa dominance and its towering structure.
The Father (Afgooey): A heavy Indica known for its resin production and sticky texture. It provided the physical relaxation and tamed the wild, lanky growth of the Trainwreck.
The Clone: The resulting phenotype appeared in San Jose collectives and quickly spread. It was named "Green Ribbon" for its vibrant, light green color and its tendency to win awards (blue ribbons) for its massive colas.
Terpene Profile: Sweet Fruit and Floral Musk
Green Ribbon has a "soft" aroma compared to the sharp gas of OG Kush. It is inviting and sweet.
Dominant Terpenes
Pinene (The Freshness): The dominant terpene. It inherits this directly from the Trainwreck parent, offering a distinct pine forest and wood scent that promotes alertness.
Myrcene (The Fruit): Adds a layer of sweet tropical fruit (often described as melon or pear) that makes the smoke smooth and delicious.
Caryophyllene (The Spice): A subtle background of pepper and earth that prevents the sweetness from being cloying.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is fragrant and floral. It smells of fresh cut grass, sweet melon, and pine trees.
The Smoke: Silky and expansive. It tastes of fruity earth, floral bouquet, and subtle pine. It is a very "clean" tasting smoke.
Strain Effects: The Social Butterfly
Green Ribbon is frequently cited as one of the best strains for social gatherings.
The Experience
The Lift: The high is fast-acting and heady. It cuts through fatigue and leaves you feeling awake and talkative.
The Vibe: It is famously euphoric. It dissolves social anxiety and makes conversation flow easily. It is the antithesis of the "awkward silence" stone.
The Body: Unlike a pure Haze, the Afgooey genetics provide a gentle body hum. You feel relaxed physically, but your mind is running at full speed.
The Utility: It is an excellent all-day strain. You can smoke it in the morning to do chores or in the evening to hang out with friends.
Best For: Parties, depression, fatigue, household chores, and creative brainstorming.
Growing Green Ribbon: The Branch Breaker
This is the trait that made Green Ribbon famous among commercial growers.
Growth Structure
The Yield: Massive. This plant was bred to produce. It grows huge, long colas that fill up every inch of space.
The Vigor: It grows aggressively. The vegetative stage is fast, and the root system is explosive.
The Structure: It has an open, Sativa-like structure with long internodes. This allows light to penetrate deep into the canopy, meaning even the lower buds get big.
The Support: Mandatory. The buds get so heavy that they will snap the branches if not supported with trellising or stakes.
The Resistance: It is a tank. It resists powdery mildew and mold exceptionally well, making it a safe bet for outdoor growers.
Grower’s Tip: Green Ribbon is a heavy feeder. It loves nitrogen in veg and demands high levels of Phosphorus and Potassium (PK) in flower to support those massive buds. Don't be afraid to push the nutrients.
Final Verdict: The California Yield Queen
Green Ribbon is a classic for a reason. It bridges the gap between the racy Sativas of the north and the heavy Indicas of the south. It offers a harvest that will fill your jars to the brim and a smoke that keeps you smiling all day long. While it might lack the purple colors of modern hype strains, it makes up for it with raw performance and a timeless, happy high.
You should choose Green Ribbon if:
You want Maximum Yields.
You want Social Energy.
You prefer Fruity/Floral flavors.
You want a Resilient Plant.
Score: 9.3/10 (The Happy Producer)