Hybrid60% Indica / 40% Sativa20-28% THC

Rainbow Sherbet

Also known as: RS-11, RS11, Rainbow Sherbert #11, Rainbow Sherb #11, the RS line

Breeder: DEO Farms

Rainbow Sherbet (DEO Farms) is a DEO Farms seed line selected from a Pink Guava × Sunset Sherbet cross, with the RS-11 phenotype (#11) becoming the flagship expression. It is an indica-leaning hybrid (60/40) notable for a limonene-forward "candy gas" terpene profile and dense, resinous buds. The cut rose from a 120-seed selection run and entered the wider market via clone drops and commercial releases. Rainbow Sherbet #11 (RS-11) was selected from a 120-seed open-pollination run conducted simultaneously by DEO Farms (Deep East Oakland) and Wizard Trees (Los Angeles). Breeder Rob of DEO Farms created the cross after F2-ing his OZ Kush #41 phenotype — dubbed Pink Guava for its distinctly tropical guava aroma — and crossing it to Sunset Sherbet. Both teams independently converged on the #11 and #54 phenotypes as standouts. Doja Pak joined as brand and distribution partner; the first verified public clone drop occurred in April 2022 at $1,000 per cut. By 2023, RS-11 had expanded to over 1,000 US dispensary menus and directly spawned Zoap and Magic Marker (which won "strongest strain" at the 2024 Michigan Zalympix).

Lineage

Pink Guava x Sunset Sherbet

THC Range

20-28%

Flower Time

9–10 weeks

Difficulty

Intermediate

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Pink Guava x Sunset Sherbet

Pink Guava (DEO Farms' F2 selection from an OZ Kush lineage) contributes bright, limonene-dominant floral-fruit terps, tropical sweetness, candy-forward aromatics and heavy resin production. Sunset Sherbet (Cookie-family lineage) supplies creamy sherbet mid-palate notes, structural density, a caryophyllene-forward fuel backbone, and phenotype-dependent anthocyanin-driven purple color potential.

Terpene Profile

DOMINANT

Limonene — Primary aromatic driver; produces bright citrus-diesel top notes and tropical fruit character that define the candy-first profile.

DOMINANT

Caryophyllene — Provides a peppery, spicy fuel undercurrent and gasoline exhale; a key backbone terpene contributing to the candy-gas signature.

DOMINANT

Linalool — Adds floral lavender notes and calming body weight, smoothing the candy sweetness and softening the exhale.

SECONDARY

Humulene — Earthy and woody undertones that complement the spicy lower register of the terpene profile.

SECONDARY

Myrcene — Present at relatively low levels for an indica-leaning cultivar, explaining reduced couch-lock compared with myrcene-dominant indicas.

SECONDARY

Ocimene — Found in trace amounts in market COAs and appears as a secondary floral/fruity accent in some crosses.

SECONDARY

Pinene — Contributes subtle pine notes on the finish and in some concentrate expressions.

Aroma: A room-filling "candy gas" profile: a sharp diesel funk up front followed by tropical fruit candy (guava, citrus, ripe berry) and a sweet-but-complex character that persists through cure.

Flavor: On inhale the smoke offers ripe berry candy and tropical fruit with a creamy sherbet mid-palate; the exhale shifts into a fuel-forward, spicy finish with subtle pine and earthy Kush notes.

Effects & Experience

Onset: A bright cerebral euphoria and mental clarity arrives within minutes, driven by the elevated limonene fraction.

Users report mentally clear, uplifted sociability that gradually deepens into warm, mellow body relaxation without immediate full couch-lock at moderate doses; very high-THC batches can push toward sedating relaxation.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Commonly Reported Uses

Stress reliefAnxiety reductionMild to moderate pain managementMood elevationCreative focusAppetite stimulationMild insomnia relief

Grower's Notes

Flower

9–10 weeks

Indoor Yield

450–550 g/m²

Outdoor Yield

400–600 g/plant

Difficulty

Intermediate

Height / Stretch

75–120 cm (2.5–4 ft) indoors

Environment

Indoor preferred; performs outdoors in warm,

Rainbow Sherbet (RS-11) is a clone-only indica-leaning hybrid from DEO Farms that rewards attentive canopy management and environmental control with exceptionally resinous, candy-gas flowers. The following notes cover the key cultivation considerations for this variety.

Growth Structure and Training

RS-11 naturally produces a multi-arm, branchy architecture rather than a single dominant cola — expect moderate internodal spacing with roughly 1.5× stretch after flip. For even canopy and maximum site utilization, top at the fourth or fifth node to produce four to eight primary arms, then use LST or a SCROG net to flatten the canopy. SCROG and multi-top trellises work especially well in this cultivar: flip when the canopy is level and lower nodes are developed. Early staged defoliation (remove the lower third and selectively thin the mid-canopy in the first two weeks of flower) improves airflow while avoiding light stress on forming calyces.

Flowering Time and Harvest

Most phenotypes finish 9–10 weeks from flip. Monitor trichomes and prioritize 70–90% cloudy heads with 10–20% amber for the classic limonene-forward, candy-gas effect — harvesting earlier increases anxiety-like, racy notes while harvesting late mutes volatile citrus terpenes. Use trichome appearance rather than calendar days when selecting harvest; in humid or variable outdoor conditions shorten the harvest window toward the low end to reduce Botrytis risk.

Nutrient Management

RS-11 is a moderate feeder with clear nitrogen sensitivity. Run veg at ~50–75% of typical feed strength, then transition to a P/K-forward bloom program at flip while aggressively dialing back nitrogen in early flower. Watch for dark, clawing leaves as a classic N-toxicity sign; if present, reduce feed concentration and run a light flush rather than chasing foliar corrections. Cal‑Mag supplementation is recommended for coco and inert media; a one- to two-week mid-flower PK lift can increase cola density but discontinue heavy PKs before the final flush to avoid salt accumulation. Target pH 6.2–6.6 in soil and coco for predictable uptake.

Growing Media

RS-11 performs well across living soil, amended organic soils, and coco/perlite. Living soils accentuate terpene complexity and are preferred for craft, extraction-focused grows; coco gives quicker uptake and responsiveness with the caveat of requiring consistent Cal‑Mag and tighter pH management. Use 3–5 gallon fabric pots for single-plant indoor runs; outdoors, provide ample root volume for 400–600 g/plant outcomes and prefer free-draining, warm sites in Mediterranean climates.

Environment and Climate

Maintain daytime flower temps of 68–77°F (20–25°C) with nights 5–10°F cooler to support limonene preservation and anthocyanin expression where genetics allow. Late‑bloom RH should be held to 40–45% and never allowed above ~50% during the final three weeks — dense calyx structure makes RS-11 particularly vulnerable to Botrytis. Aim for mid‑flower PPFD around 700–800 µmol/m²/s with short, managed peaks to ~1,000 µmol/m²/s for vigorous, well-fed plants.

Lighting

High‑quality LEDs that deliver even spectrum and the PPFD targets above are recommended for precision canopy control and lower heat; HPS can produce equivalent yields but increases heat and humidity control demands. Maintain standard 12/12 flower schedule and consider CO2 enrichment only in well-sealed, heavily-fed rooms where PPFD consistently exceeds 800 µmol/m²/s and ventilation supports rapid air exchange — CO2 is unnecessary for most hobby or small commercial RS-11 runs.

Pest and Disease Resistance

Powdery mildew susceptibility is average and manageable with a standard IPM program, but Botrytis is the primary late‑flower threat because of the cultivar's compact, dense buds. Prioritize mid‑canopy airflow, selective defoliation of the lower third, and strict late‑flower humidity control; in consistently humid climates prefer earlier harvests and aggressive canopy thinning during stretch.

Yield

Expect 450–550 g/m² indoors under optimized canopy and environment, and roughly 400–600 g/plant outdoors with adequate root space and a warm, dry climate. Yield is sensitive to canopy management, feed discipline (avoid over‑nitrogening), and late‑flower humidity control — terpene-rich phenotypes trade bulk for head quality and solventless extraction value.

Bud Structure and Trichomes

Buds are dense and chunky with a grape‑to‑golf‑ball morphology and minimal foxtailing under correct light and feed. Trichome heads are large and abundant by week 6, with overall coverage increasing through weeks 7–9; sticky handling is common and gloves are recommended during manicures.

Color Development

Anthocyanin-driven purple, blue, and lavender hues appear in phenotypes with the genetic potential when nights cool to ~60–64°F (15–18°C) in the final two to three weeks. Not all phenotypes color; manage temperatures conservatively to avoid terpene loss when forcing color expression.

Drying and Curing

Dry slowly in darkness at ~60°F and ~55% RH for 10–14 days to preserve limonene and volatile terpenes. Cure in glass at 60–62% RH, burping daily the first week and monitoring terpene evolution at six weeks — the full guava‑and‑citrus complexity often needs a month or more to mature. Avoid fast, warm drying above 70°F that degrades bright citrus notes.

Wash and Extraction

RS-11 is a strong solventless candidate. Fresh‑frozen hash yields typically run 2.5–4.5% with standout phenos exceeding 5%; process at 1–4°C with gentle agitation to retain volatile limonene. For live rosin, press at moderate temps (65–75°C) to preserve tropical top notes — higher press temps flatten the limonene fraction and reduce live character.

History & Origin

Developed by Rob (Guero) of DEO Farms in Oakland, Rainbow Sherbet originated when Rob selected a Pink Guava F2 (from an OZ Kush hunt) and crossed it with Sunset Sherbet. About 120 seeds were produced in the initial open-pollination run and grown concurrently by DEO Farms and Wizard Trees; both teams converged on the #11 phenotype as the standout. RS-11 circulated as a clone-only cut in underground markets before public clone drops in 2022 and a rapid commercial expansion by 2023.

Awards & Recognition

●Leafly Strain of the Year — 1st Runner-up — 2023
●3rd Place Indica Flower — 2024 — Missouri Cannabis Cup
●Weed of the Year — 2024 — Cannabis Industrie Awards (Netherlands)
●Leafly HighLight, January 2025
●2nd Place Hydro-Carbon Liquid, Emerald Cup — FIELD x Wizard Trees x Doja RS-11 Live Resin
●Magic Marker (RS-11 × Permanent Marker) — Strongest Strain, Zalympix 2024 (Michigan)

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Rainbow Sherbet as a parent:

Zoap— Rainbow Sherbet × Pink Guava→

Magic Marker— RS-11 × Permanent Marker

11:11— RS-11 × RS-11 (S1/backcross)

Frequently Asked Questions

7 common questions about Rainbow Sherbet

What is Rainbow Sherbet and what are its genetics?

Rainbow Sherbet is a hybrid cannabis strain (60% Indica / 40% Sativa) bred by DEO Farms. It is a cross of Pink Guava x Sunset Sherbet, testing at 20-28% THC. Rainbow Sherbet (DEO Farms) is a DEO Farms seed line selected from a Pink Guava × Sunset Sherbet cross, with the RS-11 phenotype (#11) becoming the flagship expression. It is an indica-leaning hybrid (60/40) notable for a limonene-forward "candy gas" terpene profile and dense, resinous buds.

What does Rainbow Sherbet smell and taste like?

Rainbow Sherbet's dominant terpenes are Limonene, Caryophyllene, Linalool. The aroma is described as a room-filling "candy gas" profile: a sharp diesel funk up front followed by tropical fruit candy (guava, citrus, ripe berry) and a sweet-but-complex character that persists through cure.. The flavor profile features on inhale the smoke offers ripe berry candy and tropical fruit with a creamy sherbet mid-palate; the exhale shifts into a fuel-forward, spicy finish with subtle pine and earthy kush notes..

What are the effects of Rainbow Sherbet?

A bright cerebral euphoria and mental clarity arrives within minutes, driven by the elevated limonene fraction. Users report mentally clear, uplifted sociability that gradually deepens into warm, mellow body relaxation without immediate full couch-lock at moderate doses; very high-THC batches can push toward sedating relaxation.. Duration is typically 2-3 hours. Commonly reported uses include Stress relief, Anxiety reduction, Mild to moderate pain management, Mood elevation.

How hard is Rainbow Sherbet to grow?

Rainbow Sherbet is rated intermediate difficulty. It flowers in 9–10 weeks, reaches 75–120 cm (2.5–4 ft) indoors in height, and yields 450–550 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor preferred; performs outdoors in warm, dry mediterranean climates environments.

Does Rainbow Sherbet turn purple?

Yes. Rainbow Sherbet is known to express purple coloration, with reported colors including green, purple. Cooler nighttime temperatures during late flowering typically intensify anthocyanin expression.

What strains were bred from Rainbow Sherbet?

Rainbow Sherbet has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Zoap, Magic Marker, 11:11. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.

Has Rainbow Sherbet won any cannabis awards?

Yes. Rainbow Sherbet has received recognition including Leafly Strain of the Year — 1st Runner-up — 2023; 3rd Place Indica Flower — 2024 — Missouri Cannabis Cup; Weed of the Year — 2024 — Cannabis Industrie Awards (Netherlands).

Sources & References (42)

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