Written by Ad OpsIntroduction to Triangle Kush x Zsunami
Triangle Kush x Zsunami is a modern hybrid that merges Florida OG heritage with contemporary dessert-forward vigor. Bred by Pagoda Seeds, this cross is positioned for growers and consumers who want classic gas with a high-terp twist and dense resin output. It is characterized by medium-to-high THC potential, assertive aromas, and a structure that rewards canopy management. In markets where lab data is sparse for boutique releases, this cultivar is best understood through its parental signals and early grower reports.
The name signals two strong archetypes: Triangle Kush, the Florida OG cornerstone, and Zsunami, a breeder-driven line named to evoke a tidal rush of terpene intensity. Pagoda Seeds is known for pheno-driven selections that prioritize mouth-coating flavor, resin density, and consistency across tents. Consequently, Triangle Kush x Zsunami behaves like an OG hybrid tuned for modern gardens, balancing vigor with the dense, knuckled flowers that hash makers seek. Expect a cultivar that performs across mediums, yet shows its ceiling when environmental control and careful feeding are dialed in.
For consumers, the profile lands squarely in the heavy-yet-functional zone typical of OG-led hybrids. Early sessions are described as focused and euphoric, shifting into a deeply relaxing body feel after 60 to 90 minutes. Flavor chasers should find a layered bouquet that pairs old-school fuel with citrus peel, pine resin, and a faint tropical backnote. For growers, the plant’s stretch, internodal spacing, and calyx mass retention point to an 8.5–10 week finish window depending on phenotype.
History and Breeding Background
Triangle Kush sits in the pantheon of American elite cuts, credited as one of the three points of the so-called Florida Triangle that seeded many OG lines. It is typically associated with the 1990s Florida scene where fuel-forward chemotypes with limonene and caryophyllene dominance made their mark. Over the past decade, TK offspring have continued to win cups and rack up lab-tested THC values above 20%, reinforcing its role as a building block. Its staying power comes from a combination of potency, a recognizable gas-pine lemon bouquet, and unmistakable resin density.
Zsunami, as deployed by Pagoda Seeds in this cross, brings a contemporary edge intended to amplify terpene production and vigor. The Z in the name hints at candy and tropical tones popularized by dessert cultivars, while the tsunami imagery suggests an overwhelming terp wave and garden performance. Pagoda Seeds selected parent stock to preserve TK’s OG backbone while elevating canopy vigor, likely targeting shorter internodes and stronger branching. The result is a hybrid whose garden behavior is more forgiving than a pure OG while preserving the swagger of TK’s aroma.
Pagoda Seeds released Triangle Kush x Zsunami as part of a lineage-first approach where breeder notes emphasize consistency, flavor density, and wash potential. In the boutique seed market, phenotypes stabilize over cycles as growers select mothers, and data accumulates with each run. While official COAs may be limited in early cycles, feedback patterns from multiple grows shape the consensus on flowering time, yield range, and dominant terp clusters. That lived feedback loop is central to how modern cultivars gain traction long before mass distribution.
Genetic Lineage and Inheritance
Triangle Kush contributes the lion’s share of the OG structure: spear-shaped colas, elongated bracts, and a terpene core built around limonene, beta-caryophyllene, and myrcene. It often passes along a distinct lemon-pine cleaner top note with diesel undertones and a density that makes buds feel heavier than they appear. TK offspring commonly express THC in the low-to-mid 20s, minimal CBD, and strong resin heads that stand up to aggressive dry trimming. These traits are the foundation of the cross and calibrate expectations for potency and nose.
Zsunami, as used by Pagoda Seeds, appears designed to push terpene diversity and vegetative vigor. Growers should anticipate a measurable increase in lateral branching and more uniform stacking compared to a finicky OG. The cross introduces a possibility of sweet, tropical, or candy-influenced volatiles layered atop TK’s gas and pine, especially in phenotypes with higher farnesene or ocimene. In practice, two recurring phenotype clusters appear: OG-leaners that are classic gas-dominant, and Z-leaners with brighter fruit accents.
From a chemotype perspective, the cross should settle into a Type I profile, meaning THC-dominant with CBD typically below 1%. Minor cannabinoids such as CBG often land between 0.2–1.0% in modern hybrids, with total terpenes commonly ranging 1.5–3.5% by weight under optimized cultivation. The inheritance pattern suggests that environmental control will strongly shape terp expression, with elevated PPFD and correct VPD producing denser trichome fields. For growers, selecting a mother plant becomes a decision between raw OG gas and more confectionary variants that pop on the palate.
Appearance and Morphology
Triangle Kush x Zsunami plants typically grow medium-tall with a 1.5–2.0x stretch after flip, depending on vegetative duration and light intensity. Internodes trend shorter than a pure OG, which helps stack calyces into thicker spears and baseball-sized tops. Stems lignify early, and petioles thicken to handle weight, but trellising is still recommended past week 4 of flower. Fan leaves are broad in veg and narrow slightly in early bloom, with a deep green hue indicating strong chlorophyll density.
Bud structure is dense and conical with heavy calyx mass, leading to a flower that feels solid in the hand and trims cleanly. Bract-to-leaf ratios skew in favor of calyx, which increases bag appeal and improves post-harvest processing. Under cool night temps of 16–18°C late flower, some phenotypes display anthocyanin expression along the sugar leaves, but the base color is typically lime to forest green. Pistils start cream to light apricot and mature to rust-orange tones by week 9–10.
Trichome coverage is aggressive, with bulbous heads forming a glittering frost that is obvious under 5000–6500 K white light. Many plants generate a sticky, greasy resin layer as early as week 4, a sign of healthy terp and cannabinoid biosynthesis. Head size trends medium with robust necks, a positive indicator for both solventless and hydrocarbon extraction stability. The visual aesthetic aligns with a modern premium flower skewed toward hash-friendly morphology.
Aroma
Pre-grind, the jar opens with a layered nose anchored by fuel, pine resin, and citrus rind. A classic OG note of lemon cleaner rides over a sour diesel base, while a secondary thread of sweet tropical or candy-like fruit may flash in certain phenotypes. Earthy spice from beta-caryophyllene contributes warmth that rounds the profile and provides depth. Even at room temperature, the bouquet is assertive and quickly fills small spaces.
After grinding, volatile compounds release in force, often revealing sharper limonene and terpinolene edges in Z-leaning expressions. Gas intensifies in OG-dominant phenotypes, with a kerosene-tar signature indicative of the TK parent. Humulene can show as a dry hop or bitter herb nuance, while linalool and farnesene, when present, add a sweet-lavender and green apple undertone. The overall effect is a push-pull between savory fuel and bright confection.
In cured flower, terp persistence depends on dry and cure technique, but well-finished batches retain noticeable aroma for 8–12 weeks in airtight glass. Jars stored at 55–62% relative humidity maintain top notes longer, and rehydration risks are minimized. Consumers commonly report that the nose strengthens after a week of jar cure as chlorophyll off-gassing subsides. The signature is unmistakably modern OG with a fruit-lifted twist.
Flavor
On inhale, Triangle Kush x Zsunami hits with concentrated lemon-pine and sweet diesel, a profile that reads as classic OG for the first impression. Mid-palate, a citrus-candy or tropical ester can appear, brightening the gas and cleaning up the finish. Beta-caryophyllene adds a gentle pepper tingle on the exhale, often coupled with a resinous pine snap from pinene. The aftertaste lingers 60–120 seconds, coating the tongue with an oily, terp-heavy film.
Through a clean vaporizer at 180–195°C, subtle floral tones of linalool and a green apple-fresh nuance from farnesene become more discernible. Combustion emphasizes the diesel and pine while muting delicate sweets, so consumers hunting the fruit layer may prefer vaping. Across phenotypes, the flavor is stable across bowls and rarely collapses into bland hay if the cure is correct. Many users rank the flavor persistence above average compared to typical market flower.
Edibles and concentrates built from this cultivar often carry forward the lemon-fuel backbone with added candy brightness. In rosin, the terp fraction can display surprising depth, and in live resin, the brighter esters punch through even at lower temperatures. The result is a flavor that appeals both to old-school gas fans and new-school fruit seekers. That crossover is a key reason the cross garners attention in connoisseur circles.
Cannabinoid Profile
Triangle Kush x Zsunami is expected to produce a Type I chemotype dominated by delta-9-THC. Based on parentage and comparable OG-dominant hybrids, finished flower commonly tests in the 20–27% THC range under optimized indoor conditions. Outdoor or less-optimized environments often land around 18–22% THC, reflecting light density and environmental stress. CBD content is typically trace, most often below 0.5% and frequently under 0.2%.
Minor cannabinoids add nuance without dominating the effect. CBG in modern hybrids tends to appear between 0.2–1.0%, with CBC often 0.1–0.4%, and THCV present in trace amounts unless specifically introgressed. Total cannabinoid content frequently lands in the 22–30% range when summing THC plus minors, though this depends on lab methodology and moisture content at testing. Carboxylated versus decarboxylated reporting can influence apparent totals by 2–3 percentage points.
It is worth noting that variance between phenotypes and environmental treatments can shift cannabinoid totals by 10–20% relative. Elevated PPFD with adequate CO2 and proper VPD typically lifts THC by 1–3 percentage points compared to under-lit grows. Conversely, heat spikes above 30°C, low calcium availability, or chronic overwatering can hinder cannabinoid accumulation by reducing photosynthetic efficiency. For precise numbers, growers should send batch samples for high-performance liquid chromatography analysis at harvest.
Terpene Profile
The dominant terpene triad in most expressions centers on beta-caryophyllene, limonene, and myrcene. In optimized indoor runs, total terpene content often falls between 1.8–3.5% by weight, with individual components in these common ranges: beta-caryophyllene 0.4–1.0%, limonene 0.3–0.8%, and myrcene 0.3–0.7%. Supporting terpenes may include alpha-pinene 0.1–0.3%, beta-pinene 0.05–0.2%, humulene 0.1–0.2%, and linalool 0.05–0.25%. Select phenotypes show farnesene 0.1–0.3% and ocimene 0.05–0.2%, aligned with the occasional sweet-tropical facet.
Caryophyllene contributes the warm pepper and diesel-spice dimension and is known to bind CB2 receptors, which may influence perceived relaxation. Limonene anchors the citrus cleaner top note and is strongly light- and heat-sensitive, making careful drying critical to preserve it. Myrcene underpins the herbal and slightly musky layer and is associated with the cultivar’s couchlock potential at higher doses. Pinene and humulene add pine forest and hoppy bitterness that OG fans prize.
Environmental factors shape terp expression materially. Cooler late-flower nights, consistent VPD, and low-stress cultivation help retain monoterpenes that otherwise volatilize. Slow drying at 16–18°C and 55–60% RH preserves limonene and ocimene, while avoiding rapid desiccation that flattens the bouquet. When executed correctly, jars exhibit a dynamic top note that remains lively for months, supporting the strain’s organoleptic reputation.
Experiential Effects
The onset is typically quick, with users reporting perceptible head change within 2–5 minutes of inhalation. Early effects lean toward uplift, focus, and a mild mood elevation, likely driven by limonene and pinene synergy. As the session deepens, body relaxation expands, muscles unclench, and a calm heaviness settles in the limbs. The arc commonly lasts 2–3 hours for inhaled flower with a gentle taper and minimal fog if dosage is moderate.
At higher doses, couchlock and time dilation are more likely, reflecting the OG pedigree’s sedative edge. Anxiety-prone users may prefer small, spaced puffs to avoid overwhelming spikes, as the fuel profile can present as intense. For many, the sweet spot is 1–3 inhalations delivering 5–15 mg of THC, which supports functional calm without full sedation. Concentrate users should keep initial dabs small, as high-terp extracts can feel stronger than their THC percentage implies.
Reported side effects align with other OG-forward hybrids: dry mouth, slight ocular dryness, and occasional transient dizziness at very high doses. Hydration and a light snack often mitigate discomfort, while a relaxing environment can enhance the strain’s mood effects. Pairing with evening activities, music, or creative work suits the early uplift followed by deeper relaxation. As always, individual responses vary with tolerance, set, and setting.
Potential Medical Uses
While clinical research on specific cultivars is limited, the chemotype suggests potential utility for stress modulation and pain relief. Beta-caryophyllene’s CB2 activity may contribute to perceived anti-inflammatory effects, and myrcene has been associated anecdotally with muscle relaxation. Users commonly report temporary relief for tension headaches, lower back strain, and post-workout soreness. The balancing uplift may help with situational anxiety when dosed modestly.
For sleep, the strain’s trajectory from uplift to body heaviness can support sleep onset in the latter half of the experience. Many patients find evening sessions effective for winding down, with 10–20 mg THC equivalents often sufficient. Persistent insomnia may require higher doses or combination with CBN-containing products, though evidence remains preliminary. Care should be taken to avoid tolerance build-up by cycling nights off or rotating modalities.
For appetite stimulation, the cultivar may encourage eating within 30–60 minutes of inhalation, a pattern consistent with THC-dominant profiles. Patients managing chemo-related nausea commonly prefer limonene-forward profiles for palatability, though individual preference rules. As with any medical use, legal patients should consult providers and track outcomes, noting strain, dose, route, and time of administration. Personal data collection over 4–6 weeks can reveal meaningful patterns in efficacy and side effects.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Triangle Kush x Zsunami rewards dialed environments but is forgiving enough for intermediate growers. Germination succeeds at 22–25°C with 95–100% RH and gentle light, with taproot emergence typically within 24–72 hours. Seedlings prefer a light feed of 0.4–0.6 EC and a pH of 5.8–6.0 in hydro or 6.3–6.5 in peat or soil. Early vigor is noticeable by day 7–10, with tight internodes and upright petioles indicating good light metabolism.
Vegetative growth runs best at 24–28°C daytime and 18–22°C nighttime with 60–70% RH for a VPD of 0.8–1.2 kPa. Target PPFD of 350–500 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ for rooted clones and 500–750 for established plants to build carbohydrate reserves without stress. Feed 1.0–1.3 EC in soilless mixes and 0.8–1.1 EC in living soils, adding calcium and magnesium as needed to prevent interveinal chlorosis. Aim for a balanced NPK around 3-1-2 in veg and increase micronutrients as plants accelerate.
Training is advantageous given the 1.5–2.0x stretch after flip. Top once or twice, then low-stress train to shape a flat, even canopy that maximizes light capture. A single-layer trellis positioned at 25–35 cm above the medium helps guide branching, with a second layer useful in week 2–3 of flower. Defoliate lightly at day 21 and day 42 to improve airflow and reduce microclimate humidity inside the canopy.
Flip to flower when plants reach 50–60% of the intended final height. The cultivar thrives at 24–27°C days and 17–20°C nights in bloom with RH 45–55% during weeks 1–6, tapering to 40–45% in late finish. VPD around 1.2–1.5 kPa keeps stomata open and reduces botrytis risk on dense tops. Raise PPFD to 800–1000 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ by week 3 and up to 1100–1200 with supplemental CO2 at 900–1200 ppm if the environment and root health are strong.
Nutrient strategy in bloom should emphasize phosphorus and potassium while maintaining adequate calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. A common progression is 1.4–1.6 EC in early flower, 1.7–2.0 EC mid-flower, and a slight taper to 1.5–1.6 EC late for flavor finish. Keep pH 5.8–6.2 in hydroponic systems and 6.4–6.8 in soil to optimize nutrient uptake and terpene synthesis enzymes. Watch for OG-typical calcium and magnesium demands, especially under high-intensity LEDs.
Irrigation frequency matters for resin and yield. In coco or rockwool, prefer multiple small irrigations targeting 10–20% runoff once roots colonize fully, keeping EC stable. In soil, water to full saturation and then allow substantial dryback to encourage gas exchange, typically every 2–4 days depending on pot size and environment. Observing pot weight and leaf turgor gives more reliable signals than calendar scheduling.
Pest and disease management should be proactive. This dense-flowering cultivar is susceptible to bud rot if RH spikes or airflow lags; ensure 0.5–1.0 m·s⁻¹ of horizontal airflow and frequent canopy thinning. Implement integrated pest management with weekly scouting, yellow and blue sticky cards, and preventive releases of beneficials like Amblyseius swirskii and Hypoaspis miles. Rotate soft foliar inputs in veg such as neem alternatives, Beauveria bassiana, or potassium bicarbonate, halting sprays once pistils set.
Flowering time ranges 63–70 days for most phenotypes, with OG-leaners often finishing closer to day 63–66 and Z-leaners sometimes benefiting from day 68–70. Trichome heads mature from clear to cloudy around week 8, with 5–10% amber correlating to a heavier body effect. Over-ripening can dull citrus volatiles, so harvest timing should balance effect goals and terp preservation. Keep notes on each phenotype to refine harvest windows in subsequent runs.
Harvest, Drying, and Curing
Harvest at first light or with lights off to minimize volatilization of monoterpenes and preserve peak aroma. Wet trim only large fan leaves to reduce surface moisture, then hang whole plants or large branches to slow drying. Target 16–18°C and 55–60% RH with gentle air movement and no direct airflow on the flowers. Under these conditions, drying typically completes in 10–14 days for dense colas.
Stems should snap with a soft crack rather than bend before initiating cure. Place flowers in glass jars or food-grade bins at 58–62% RH and leave lids open for 10–20 minutes daily for the first week. After the first week, burp every 2–3 days, then once weekly, monitoring for any humidity spikes or off smells. A 3–5 week cure develops the deepest flavor and maximizes smoothness.
For long-term storage, colder temps and darkness are key. Keep sealed jars at 12–16°C if possible to slow oxidation and terpene loss, and avoid frequent open-close cycles. Properly cured jars retain a bright citrus-pine top note for months, with minimal terp flattening. Many growers report their best expression around week 4 of cure, where the fruit-lift integrates seamlessly with the gas.
Yield and Extraction Potential
Indoors, Triangle Kush x Zsunami yields 450–600 g·m⁻² in optimized dialed tents under 600–1000 W LED footprints. Skilled growers with CO2 supplementation and double trellis can push into the 600–700 g·m⁻² band. Outdoors or in light-dep greenhouses, 800–1200 g per plant is achievable with large root volumes and full-season sun. Bud density and calyx mass make wet-to-dry shrink around 72–78%, aligning with dense OGs.
Resin output is a hallmark, and the cultivar shows strong potential for solventless extraction. Bubble hash and rosin yields of 3–5% of fresh frozen weight are realistic for resin-forward phenotypes, with standout plants exceeding 5% under optimal harvest timing. Hydrocarbon extraction captures a full terp spread and can present an electric lemon-fuel top note with sweet fruit undercurrents. Mechanical separation responds well due to robust trichome necks that resist collapse.
For commercial processing, consistent terp totals of 2.0–3.0% and THC in the mid-20s position this cultivar favorably with consumers. The combination of gas and bright sweets resonates across markets and supports diverse SKUs from cured resin to live rosin. Producers should phenotype specifically for wash if solventless is the goal, prioritizing sandy, easily detached heads. For smokable flower, select phenotypes with the heaviest calyx and best post-trim silhouette to maximize price tier.
Phenohunting and Lab Testing Guidance
Expect two dominant phenotype clusters in early hunts. Cluster A leans Triangle Kush: sharper fuel, lemon cleaner, pine, and strong pepper spice, often finishing 63–66 days with ironclad density. Cluster B leans Zsunami: brighter tropical-candy lift with a slightly longer window of 66–70 days and more expressive color when temperatures drop. Both clusters maintain resin density, but B may show higher total terpenes with a more explosive jar appeal.
When selecting keepers, weigh sensory data against production metrics. Record wet and dry weights, bud density, internode uniformity, and ease of trim over at least two cycles. For lab testing, submit 1–2 g representative samples per phenotype after a consistent 2–3 week cure to standardize moisture. Look for THC above 22%, total cannabinoids above 24%, and total terpenes above 2.0% as practical thresholds for premium positioning.
Terpene labs using GC-MS provide a fuller volatile profile that can uncover minor contributors like farnesene and ocimene. Keep environmental logs that track PPFD, VPD, CO2, and irrigation EC to correlate garden variables with test outcomes. Over 2–4 harvests, select for the phenotype that repeatedly hits your target numbers and sensory fingerprint. That disciplined approach builds reliable SKUs and consumer trust.
Conclusion
Triangle Kush x Zsunami by Pagoda Seeds fuses a revered OG backbone with modern terpene exuberance. It delivers unmistakable gas and pine lifted by citrus and, in some expressions, a sweet tropical accent that widens its appeal. In the garden, it offers OG-like potency with improved stacking and vigor, rewarding growers who manage canopy, environment, and nutrition with precision. In the jar, it reads premium, tastes layered, and performs reliably.
For patients and enthusiasts, the high balances mood elevation with deep physical relaxation, making it a strong evening or late-afternoon companion. For producers, the cultivar’s yield, resin architecture, and extraction friendliness tick critical boxes for diversified product lines. While official data sets will grow as more runs are tested, the parental logic and early results point to a winner with staying power. If you value classic Florida fuel wrapped in a modern terp wave, Triangle Kush x Zsunami deserves a spot in your rotation.
