Yikes: The Fruity Gas Shock
Yikes: The Fruity Gas Shock
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Hybrid (60% Indica / 40% Sativa)
Breeder: Exotic Genetix
Lineage: Lemon Cherry Gelato x Falcon 9
Market Status: The "Sweet Shock"; Yikes was released as part of the highly acclaimed Falcon 9 feminized lineup. It was bred to take the market's current obsession—Lemon Cherry Gelato (LCG)—and give it a heavy mechanical upgrade. By crossing the sweet, tart, and colorful LCG with the jet-fuel potency of Falcon 9, Exotic Genetix created a strain that lures you in with candy aroma and then shocks you with heavy gas power. It is widely considered one of the best "LCG" crosses for those who want more punch than the original.
THC Content: High (23% – 28%)
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Caryophyllene, Linalool, Humulene
Key Effects: Euphoric Surprise, Social Buzz, Heavy Relaxation, "Stunned" Calm
Yikes gets its name from the reaction people have when they smell it—it’s shockingly loud.
It takes the refined, dessert-like profile of Lemon Cherry Gelato and splashes it with the dirty, industrial funk of the Falcon 9. The result is a profile that feels dangerous but delicious, like eating fruit snacks at a gas station pump.
History and Lineage: The Candy Crash
This strain is a collision between the "Hype" world and the "Gas" world.
The Mother (Lemon Cherry Gelato): The modern superstar (Sunset Sherbet x GSC x Unknown). Famous for its sweet cherry, tart citrus, and creamy berry profile. It is one of the most popular strains in the world for its flavor and purple bag appeal, though some criticize it for lacking heavy potency.
The Father (Falcon 9): The "Space Gas" donor (Sunset Sherbet x Tina). This is the Exotic Genetix powerhouse known for its burnt rubber, jet fuel, and ice cream aroma. As the pollen donor, it adds structural integrity and a heavy, narcotic stone to the cross.
The Synthesis: Yikes is the answer to the complaint that "LCG is all flavor and no high." It retains the beautiful purple look and sweet top notes of the mother but hits with the aggressive, lung-expanding power of the Falcon 9.
Terpene Profile: Cherry Fuel and Rubber
The aroma of Yikes is a battle between sweet and savory.
Dominant Terpenes
Limonene (The Fruit): The dominant terpene. It provides a sharp lemon zest and cherry candy note that is unmistakably LCG.
Caryophyllene (The Gas): Inherited from the Falcon 9 (and specifically the Tina grandmother), this adds a heavy spicy pepper and burnt rubber kick.
Linalool (The Cream): Adds a layer of floral lavender and soap that smooths out the fuel, creating a "creamy gas" transition.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is piercing. It smells of sour cherry syrup, fresh tennis balls (rubber), and diesel fumes.
The Smoke: Thick and heavy. It tastes of sweet tart cherries on the inhale, followed by a savory gassy funk on the exhale.
Strain Effects: The Stunner
Yikes offers a high that hits faster and harder than a standard Gelato cross.
The Experience
The Shock: The high hits immediately behind the eyes. It is a disorienting, euphoric rush that can leave you staring at the wall saying, "Yikes."
The Giggle: A wave of social energy often follows. It is a great strain for laughing with friends or watching comedy.
The Drop: The Falcon 9 genetics eventually pull the parachute. A heavy physical relaxation spreads through the body, relieving tension in the shoulders and back.
The Vibe: It settles into a happy, hazy stone. You are relaxed but not necessarily asleep, making it great for gaming or movies.
Best For: Socializing, video gaming, stress relief, mood swings, and mild pain management.
Growing Yikes: The Purple Show
Growers flock to Yikes because it offers the "LCG look" (which sells instantly) with better vigor.
Growth Structure
The Colors: This plant is a visual masterpiece. It almost always fades to deep violet, magenta, and black. The contrast with the bright orange pistils is stunning.
The Structure: It grows Medium-Height and bushy. It branches well and fills a canopy better than the sometimes lanky LCG mother.
The Yield: Moderate to High. It produces dense, rock-hard nuggets that weigh heavy.
The Frost: It is covered in sandy trichomes. The resin is abundant and contrasts beautifully against the dark leaves.
The Time: It finishes flowering in 8 to 9 weeks.
Grower’s Tip: To bring out the best "Cherry" terpenes, flush this strain thoroughly and drop the night temperatures in the final two weeks. The cooler temps trigger the anthocyanins (purple pigments) and preserve the volatile fruit esters.
Final Verdict: The Fruity Gas Shock
Yikes is the perfect upgrade for the Lemon Cherry Gelato lover. It keeps the flavor you love—that sweet, tart cherry/citrus—but backs it up with the industrial power of the Falcon 9. It offers a smoke that is loud, pretty, and potent enough to respect. If you want a strain that looks like candy but hits like a truck, you’re in for a shock.
You should choose Yikes if:
You love Lemon Cherry Gelato.
You want "Bag Appeal" (Dark Purple/Black).
You want a Social/Happy High.
You enjoy "Rubber/Gas" undertones.
Score: 9.5/10 (The Potent LCG)