Melonade
Breeder: Midwest Best
Melonade is a sativa-dominant hybrid bred by Midwest Best (Tristan Langwinski), who crossed a Dying Breed Seeds Watermelon Zkittlez female with reversed Lemon Tree #11 pollen. Alien Labs pheno-hunted the winning selection and brought it to market, helping it capture 1st Place Best Sativa at the 2018 Central Valley Cannabis Cup — part of High Times' first fully legal California competition. The strain has since become one of the most influential parent genetics in modern breeding, appearing in 35+ documented crosses.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: Watermelon Zkittlez x Lemon Tree #11
The maternal side (Watermelon Zkittlez) contributes candy-sweet melon notes and a heavy resin coat, while the paternal Lemon Tree #11 (Lemon Skunk x Sour Diesel S1) delivers sharp, sour citrus and vigorous lateral branching. The combination yields a sativa-leaning expression with dense bud structure inherited from the Zkittlez family.
Terpene Profile
Limonene — Exceptionally high expression driving both the citrus aroma and mood-elevating properties. Responsible for the sharp Meyer lemon top note that defines the strain's first impression.
Caryophyllene — Provides the peppery, spicy undertone and contributes anti-inflammatory and stress-relief properties through CB2 receptor interaction.
Myrcene — Adds enough physical grounding to prevent anxiety while contributing to the tropical melon sweetness in the aroma profile.
Pinene — Provides bronchodilator effects noted by users with allergies and respiratory sensitivity. Adds a fresh, bright quality to the terpene expression.
Aroma: First impression is a sharp blast of Meyer lemon that gives way to ripe honeydew and cantaloupe sweetness. A subtle earthy-kush backend and faint diesel note round out the profile. The limonene expression is exceptionally high, contributing to both the citrus aroma and mood-elevating properties.
Flavor: On the exhale, users describe tart citrus melting into creamy cereal-milk sweetness reminiscent of Fruity Pebbles. The inhale is sharp lemon-melon with candy brightness, transitioning through earthy-kush mid-notes before the creamy sweet finish.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Rapid and cerebral — euphoric uplift, enhanced focus, and creative energy without raciness.
Myrcene provides enough physical grounding to prevent anxiety. The high is energetic, creative, and focused with a pronounced mood elevation that makes it ideal for daytime activities, social sessions, and creative work. Connected Cannabis has produced phenotypes showing purple hues, though the standard expression is bright green.
Duration: 2-3 hours with a noticeable energy dropoff if you skip food
Commonly Reported Uses
Grower's Notes
Moderate difficulty. Responds extremely well to LST, topping, and SCROG to manage a significant vegetative stretch. Dense buds demand good airflow and 40-50% RH during flower to prevent mold. Heavy nitrogen feeder in veg but switch to bloom nutrients within 7 days of pistil formation. Slightly cooler night temps in late flower enhance terpene expression. Outdoor growers in Mediterranean climates harvest early-to-mid October.
History & Origin
Melonade was bred by Midwest Best (Tristan Langwinski), who crossed a Dying Breed Seeds Watermelon Zkittlez female with reversed Lemon Tree #11 pollen. Alien Labs pheno-hunted the winning selection and brought it to market. It captured 1st Place Best Sativa at the 2018 Central Valley Cannabis Cup — part of High Times' first fully legal California competition. The Melonade #7 phenotype earned 3rd Place Best Hybrid at the 2019 Michigan Cannabis Cup. The strain has since become one of the most influential parent genetics in modern breeding, appearing in 35+ documented crosses.
Awards & Recognition
- ●1st Place Best Sativa — 2018 Central Valley Cannabis Cup (High Times)
- ●3rd Place Best Hybrid — 2019 Michigan Cannabis Cup (Melonade #7 phenotype)
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using Melonade as a parent:
Frequently Asked Questions
7 common questions about Melonade
What is Melonade and what are its genetics?
Melonade is a sativa cannabis strain (70/30 Sativa-dominant) bred by Midwest Best. It is a cross of Watermelon Zkittlez x Lemon Tree #11, testing at 22-27% THC. Melonade is a sativa-dominant hybrid bred by Midwest Best (Tristan Langwinski), who crossed a Dying Breed Seeds Watermelon Zkittlez female with reversed Lemon Tree #11 pollen. Alien Labs pheno-hunted the winning selection and brought it to market, helping it capture 1st Place Best Sativa at the 2018 Central Valley Cannabis Cup — part of High Times' first fully legal California competition.
What does Melonade smell and taste like?
Melonade's dominant terpenes are Limonene, Caryophyllene. The aroma is described as first impression is a sharp blast of meyer lemon that gives way to ripe honeydew and cantaloupe sweetness. a subtle earthy-kush backend and faint diesel note round out the profile. the limonene expression is exceptionally high, contributing to both the citrus aroma and mood-elevating properties.. The flavor profile features on the exhale, users describe tart citrus melting into creamy cereal-milk sweetness reminiscent of fruity pebbles. the inhale is sharp lemon-melon with candy brightness, transitioning through earthy-kush mid-notes before the creamy sweet finish..
What are the effects of Melonade?
Rapid and cerebral — euphoric uplift, enhanced focus, and creative energy without raciness. Myrcene provides enough physical grounding to prevent anxiety. The high is energetic, creative, and focused with a pronounced mood elevation that makes it ideal for daytime activities, social sessions, and creative work. Duration is typically 2-3 hours with a noticeable energy dropoff if you skip food. Commonly reported uses include Depression, Stress, Fatigue, ADHD focus issues.
How hard is Melonade to grow?
Melonade is rated moderate difficulty. It flowers in 9-10 weeks, reaches 120-180 cm, stretchy sativa in height, and yields 500-650 g/m² indoors. Best suited for warm mediterranean, controlled indoor environments.
What are the parent strains of Melonade?
Melonade is a cross of Watermelon Zkittlez and Lemon Tree #11. The maternal side (Watermelon Zkittlez) contributes candy-sweet melon notes and a heavy resin coat, while the paternal Lemon Tree #11 (Lemon Skunk x Sour Diesel S1) delivers sharp, sour citrus and vigorous lateral branching. The combination yields a sativa-leaning expression with dense bud structure inherited from the Zkittlez family..
What strains were bred from Melonade?
Melonade has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Biskante, Lemon Curd, Fleetwood Mac, LGMO. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.
Has Melonade won any cannabis awards?
Yes. Melonade has received recognition including 1st Place Best Sativa — 2018 Central Valley Cannabis Cup (High Times); 3rd Place Best Hybrid — 2019 Michigan Cannabis Cup (Melonade #7 phenotype).
Want to Grow Melonade?
Check our genetics menu for available clones or call us to discuss your growing needs.