California Orange

California Orange is sold here as flower. Leafly calls the strain an old-school hybrid dating back to at least 1980, AllBud sorts it among its hybrids, with the genetics split 50% sativa to 50% indica, and the breeder Dutch Passion sells it in seed form as Californian Orange.

From a Californian plant to Amsterdam

Dutch Passion says the genetics come from a Californian plant found on a California trip in the 1970s, taken to Amsterdam and selectively bred, with seeds for European growers made in the 1980s. Dutch Passion lists it as a stabilised 50/50 hybrid and one of its classic strains. Leafly’s other names for the strain are Cali Orange, Cali-O, Cali Orange Bud and COB, and it lists Tangie among the strains descended from it.

Orange zest, mandarin and a little earth

Leafly says it smells sweetly citrusy, like orange zest, and its flavour tags are orange, citrus and sweet. Dutch Passion describes a citrus-dominant aroma of ripe orange, mandarin, lemon and earth, with some phenotypes leaning floral and tropical, and a taste of pure orange and mandarin mixed with a touch of earth or skunk. AllBud describes a candy-like, citrusy taste and aroma.

Leafly lists myrcene first among the terpenes, then caryophyllene and pinene, while Dutch Passion names myrcene and limonene in high proportion; our limonene explainer covers that citrus terpene.

Sticky, resinous buds

Dutch Passion lists it as very resinous and sticky, with resin reaching onto the leaves, and compact for a hybrid, with a normal flower-to-leaf ratio, popular with concentrate makers. AllBud describes bright green buds and orange hairs that feel sticky, and a Leafly reviewer describes sticky, light green buds coated in trichomes.

THC figures, effects and cup wins

Across the strain as a whole, THC runs 13% by Leafly’s figure, 15% by AllBud’s and 15% to 20% by Dutch Passion’s. Leafly says users mostly describe an upbeat, clear-headed high in moderation, with heavier use leaning toward an indica-style body feel, and AllBud lists focused, happy and euphoric effects. Leafly reads the potency as lower than average and rates the strain 4.3 from 379 ratings, while AllBud rates it 5.0 from 15 votes and 13 reviews. Dutch Passion describes a clear, energetic up-high that is also relaxing, euphoric and dreamy, with larger doses feeling heavier and more physical.

Dutch Passion says the strain has won several cups, including first prize in 2013, first prize at the Copa Txapelketa in Spain and, in 2016, two cups at one event in Argentina, with first place at Copa Cannabis in both the Outdoor and Extract categories.

Growing notes

Leafly calls it quite easy to grow and mildew resistant, and says early topping makes plants bushier and removing the lower branches helps buds grow stacked and dense. AllBud says it is easy to clone and needs up to 66 days indoors, and Dutch Passion says it stretches for about 2 to 3 weeks of flowering.