ACAPULCO GOLD (REEFERMAN)

Reeferman’s Acapulco Gold (Mexican Sativa Heirloom)

Flowering: 14–16 Weeks
Stretch: High
Plant Size: Very Tall, Highly Branched, Classic Tropical Sativa
Yield: Medium–High (requires space and strong light for full maturity)
Difficulty: Intermediate–Advanced
Aroma: Grassy Hash • Sweet Citrus • Juicy Fruit Gum • Spiced Wood
THC / Cannabinoids: 18–24% THC | Trace CBD

Summary / Suitability
Acapulco Gold is among the most legendary tropical sativas ever documented—a radiant, golden Mexican heirloom famed for its long, elegant flowers and uplifting, euphoric high. In Lost Pheno’s Colombian trials, the strain displayed exceptional vigor and strong environmental adaptability, thriving under full tropical light with towering height and complex branching. Plants showed variable onset of flowering, with the majority expressing the tall, late-flowering sativa form and a smaller number of early, compact phenotypes. Its resilience, longevity, and pure sativa character make Acapulco Gold a key cornerstone for tropical breeding and heritage preservation.

Genetic Background
Acapulco Gold traces its origin to the Pacific coast of Mexico, a region that produced some of the world’s most recognizable tropical sativas of the 1960s and 70s. The line preserved and refined by Charles “Reeferman” Scott represents one of the last verified heirloom populations of the true Mexican Acapulco Gold, selected from landrace stock and maintained through open breeding since the early 2000s. Reeferman cultivated this strain for decades across Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Colombia, and Jamaica, refining the flower-to-leaf ratio while retaining its pure sativa spirit. His notes from 2005 describe it as:
“A majestic old-school plant. I have never personally witnessed a hermie on either of my Acapulco Gold selected cuttings. Like all pure sativas, she prefers low nutrient levels, stable photoperiods, no light leaks, and consistent soil pH—ideally organics. Large root zones are essential. You won’t get arm-sized colas off Acapulco Gold; what you’ll see are arm-length runs of finger-sized buds that require massive light to fully ripen indoors.”
The Lost Pheno Tropical Selection continues this legacy, emphasizing resilience, open branching, and authenticity in tropical climates like Colombia’s high valleys.

Plant Characteristics
Lost Pheno’s Colombian grow revealed vigorous tropical architecture with long internodes, open canopy formation, and highly expressive branching. Plants averaged 2.5–3.5 meters when left untopped, producing slim, fingered leaflets that reflect a pure equatorial morphology. Leaf traits are predominantly 7-blade forms, with some 5-blade in darker, denser phenotypes. Most plants show medium to high ramification, with the taller phenotypes displaying exceptional stretch after week three of flowering. Flower development is slow in onset, with trichome production appearing gradually by week seven to eight. Buds are elongated, airy, and resin-rich—ideal for humid, high-radiation environments. The majority mature in 15–16 weeks, with rare faster phenotypes finishing at 13–14. Foliage color is rich green with golden calyx tones at full maturity. Under Colombian tropical light, plants displayed strong mildew tolerance, though minor leaf spotting occurred under excessive humidity.

Flower & Aroma Profile
Aromas evolve through the cycle: starting grassy and herbal, transitioning into sweet citrus and Juicy Fruit gum notes, with undertones of sandalwood and light spice. Upon curing, buds turn golden with a delicate, resin-sweet scent and hashy depth. The flavor profile is bright and nostalgic—a perfect blend of fruit, spice, and old-school hash—evoking the true tropical cannabis of the 1970s.

Growing Tips (Indoor & Outdoor)
Indoor: Requires maximum light intensity, stable environment, and large root space. Keep nutrients minimal; overfeeding reduces aroma and slows ripening. Use organic soil blends and avoid light leaks during the long photoperiod. Clones perform better than seed-grown plants indoors, reducing the natural 30–35 day vegetative delay. Expect multiple runs of finger-sized buds rather than large colas.
Outdoor / Greenhouse: Performs best in full-sun tropical or subtropical environments. Long flowering requires stable light and warm nights. In Colombia, the line adapted well to humid conditions, producing uniform plants with classic spear-shaped flower runs. Regular pruning for airflow prevents mildew and supports clean, even maturation.

Effects & Potency
The effect is pure classic tropical sativa—clear, euphoric, and long-lasting. It lifts mood, sharpens focus, and enhances creativity without heaviness or sedation. The experience builds gradually into a lucid, energizing clarity that captures the true character of old-world Mexican sativas.

Cultural Significance
Acapulco Gold became a symbol of the golden era of cannabis in the 1960s and 70s, celebrated in music, literature, and counterculture for its bright color, exotic origin, and unmatched cerebral high. Reeferman’s preservation of this Mexican heirloom ensured its survival as one of the last pure tropical lines. The Lost Pheno Colombian field project now carries that torch forward—regenerating Acapulco Gold in its native latitude, under open sun and equatorial skies—where it again stands tall, gold-tipped, and free.