Green R Fieldz. Co-creator of the iconic “Zkittlez” strain now called The Original Z , Fieldz isn’t just a grower—he’s a shaper of culture, a steward of genetics, and a true pioneer in an industry that’s shifting from underground legacy to mainstream juggernaut. Alongside his partners Tony Mendo and Jondo—co-owner and Managing Director of Terp Hogz—Fieldz helped craft a monumentally influential strain. Z, with its rainbow-hued buds, mouthwatering taste profile, and blissful effects, is now a global phenomenon, synonymous with the very best that cannabis has to offer.
But Fieldz’s journey wasn’t about chasing fame or fortune. It was about creating something real, something that captured the essence of the plant itself. In an era where strains come and go, Z has endured—not just as a top-shelf favorite, but as a cultural touchstone, a legacy in the making. Here’s the story of how Fieldz and his team made it happen.
The Genesis of Z: From Seed to Sensation
To understand how Z came to life, you need to understand Fieldz—who, despite his prominent role in cannabis culture, is far from fancy. His story begins in Northern California, where he and his partner Tony were deep in the weeds—literally—growing everything from OG Kush to Cookies. But it was a seemingly nondescript mother plant—an early cut they nicknamed Sherbert (before and unrelated to the other sensation) —that would spark the evolution of what we now know as Zkittlez.
“It was 2012 when I first smoked it,” Fieldz recalls. “I was already into growing OGs, but this was something different—something special. The flavor, the terps, it was like nothing I’d ever tasted before. I knew we were onto something big.”
From there, the team set to work, making careful selections and cross-pollinations to perfect the strain. After testing various genetics, including a cross with a Humboldt County Grapefruit male, they landed on the exact phenotype that would define the strain’s signature sweetness and potency. But naming it was another stroke of brilliance.
“At first, we called it ‘Sherbert,’ but Tony suggested we call it Z—spelled with a ‘Z,’ because it just felt right,” Fieldz explains. “It had that candy-like vibe, and the ‘Z’ felt like our personal stamp.”
What began as a simple moment of clarity became a defining choice. The name *Zkittlez* not only embodied the strain’s colorful, fruity nature, but it also cemented the duo’s unique mark on cannabis history. Fieldz and Mendo were the first to use a candy name for a strain, only the beginning of Z as a milestone cultivar. It was playful, it was bold—and it would soon be everywhere.
From Local Legend to Global Powerhouse
When Z hit the market in 2013, its impact was immediate. While the buds weren’t as eye-catching as some other strains, the new cultivar caught fire due to its unforgettable terpene profile—a mouthwatering blend of tropical fruit, berries, and citrus—that turned heads from dispensaries in California to international markets.
Fieldz remembers the debates over Zkittlez’s first run: “Early on, people weren’t as keen to [try] it because of the way it looked, but then when they smoked it, all of that went out the window.” He recalls rapper B-Real of Cypress Hill posting about the strain and arguing with people in his comments who “said it looked like boof.”
However, as its popularity soared, so too did the challenges of keeping the strain authentic. With little to no protection for cannabis genetics at the time, other growers began to propagate their own versions of Zkittlez, some of which weren’t quite up to par, nor had any true Z lineage.
“It’s tough to control something like Zkittlez when it’s become so widespread,” Fieldz admits. “People started calling all kinds of stuff ‘Zkittlez.’ But we knew it would always come back to us. People know the real thing when they smoke it.”
Fieldz and Tony took a proactive approach, working with trusted cultivators and keeping tight control over the genetics to ensure that what they produced stayed true to the original. While others could mimic the look or name, only the original Z delivered the experience cannabis consumers had come to love.
The Expansion: Seeds, Royalties, and International Growth
As Z exploded in popularity, Fieldz and his team realized that the true value of the strain lay not just in the flower, but in the genetics. With a passion for sharing their creation while maintaining control, they began selling seeds and licensing genetics to growers around the world.
“We knew the seed game was huge,” says Fieldz. “We’d had a strong European presence since 2016—partners in Spain and be
yond. There was a growing demand for feminized seeds, and it was something we were well-positioned to meet.”
Expanding internationally, however, hasn’t been without its hurdles. Navigating international laws—particularly surrounding cannabis seeds—has required a careful approach, ensuring compliance with everything from EU certifications to local farming regulations. But with careful planning, Z has become a staple in regions known for producing world-class cannabis, including Morocco, which is seeing a surge in demand for high-quality feminized seeds. Today, Terp Hogz also has a GMP deal to bring their flower to Australia and Germany through the provider ECS.
Staying True: The Original Z
“Back in the day, it wasn’t about the packaging or the branding—it was just about growing the best weed we could,” Fieldz says. “Now, cannabis is a business, and that’s cool, but the soul of it is still about the plant. That’s what drives me. It’s the connection we all have to this plant and how it brings people together.”
Despite the corporate influx, Fieldz is committed to keeping the original Z experience intact. From his focus on maintaining top-quality genetics to his innovative work in tissue culture technology, Fieldz is dedicated to ensuring that Z remains as potent, flavorful, and pure as the day it was first bred.
The Future: Innovating While Staying True to the Roots
Looking ahead, Fieldz is focused on the continued evolution of both his genetics and his business. His partnership with Terp Hogz and international collaborations are just the beginning. He’s working on new strains, expanding Z's global footprint, and making sure that the next generation of cannabis consumers has access to the same high-quality experiences that made Z a household name.
“We’re always evolving,” Fieldz says with a smile. “We’ve got new strains in the works, more seed projects, and international partnerships. But the core of it will always be the same: staying true to the plant and keeping that authentic Z experience alive.”
Fieldz: Beyond the Plant, Into the Future
While cannabis may have become a booming industry, Fieldz’s focus remains on the plant itself. For him, it’s not just about cultivating the perfect strain—it’s about preserving the legacy of cannabis culture and the next generation’s relationship with the plant. Whether it’s sharing his knowledge with up-and-coming growers or teaching his children about the importance of cannabis as both a business and a lifestyle, Fieldz’s legacy is as much about the culture as it is about the genetics.
“It’s about the legacy we’re leaving behind—not just for us, but for future generations of cannabis enthusiasts,” he reflects. “This plant has changed my life, and I want to make sure it has the same impact on others.”
As the cannabis world continues to evolve, Fieldz is at the forefront, ensuring that the *Zkittlez* legacy remains intact.
Keep a close eye on Fieldz, Tony and Jondo for lots of upcoming collaborations, new strains, and global expansion.
For more information on The Original Z, visit their https://terphogz.com/ and their Instagram.
