Invader Zim

Longtime social equity cultivator Ball Family Farms has a new hitter from its Rare Breeds program, which is designed to help young cultivators transition into the recreational market.

Invader Zim is the latest standout from the Rare Breeds program. It marks the second major release from Zak Alkatib of Hoodbaby, a cultivator who brought Invader Zim and a few other heat-seeking cuts when he joined Ball Family Farms. Alkatib also made the in-house selection on Oakland Oranges, which took the top prize at The Connect’s Las Vegas Candy Battle last December.

The pairing of Zkittlez and Animal Cookies with Runtz — through an accidental self-pollination — results in an excellent representation of Z terps, with background notes of Animal Cookies adding depth. It brings more stopping power than most typical Z pairings. 

I’ve always felt Animal Cookies and the broader Cookies family share a similar relationship to Gelato 33 and the more dessert-forward terp Gelatos, especially in how the lighter fuel notes get drowned out by the rest of the aroma. The best versions of both deliver flavor and a balanced full-body experience that’s functional and enjoyable.

The name Invader Zim comes from the dominant Z terp being “invaded” by the other flavors in the strain.

The Invader Zim genetics originated from Seed Junkie gear that was self-pollinated. Alkatib’s friend grew it out, and Alkatib then hunted through the seeds, only three of which were fully mature. Of those, only one popped. That lone survivor turned out to be a serious hitter.

Alkatib found the Invader Zim seed in 2022 and has spent the last three years learning everything he can about it. He was able to elevate its quality after bringing it under the Ball Family Farms umbrella. “It’s like watching your kid grow. You see it develop in different stages. Just to see what this seed, my baby, has turned into. It blows my mind,” Alkatib said. “I couldn’t have imagined this two, three years ago, that this would be here at all.”

Finding the right medium for Invader Zim was a challenge. While cocoa and rockwool produced quality results, Alkatib discovered that living soil brought out the best expression. The plant’s structure and aroma are sensitive to the growing medium. Scaling the cultivar was tough at first, with varying results, until living soil became its permanent home. 

The initial drop of Invader Zim grown in living soil tested at 3.5% terpenes. While Invader Zim has tested as high as 32% THC, the most terpene-rich batches might be the real sweet spot. The batch I sampled came in at 20.4% THC but still packed plenty of punch.

Alkatib plans to continue developing the Invader Zim genetic line through the Rare Breeds program under Ball Family Farms. He’s collected an impressive vault of elite genetics to begin hunting Invader Zim pairings.

The original Zkittlez can be notoriously tricky to grow, which is one reason for the flood of Z crosses in recent years. Cultivators have been seeking similar flavor profiles in plants that are easier to manage. We asked Alkatib if Invader Zim is as challenging as the original Zkittlez.

“No, this one’s more vigorous. This one is more … this is less finicky. You could throw a wrench at her, and she’ll still produce,” he quickly replied. Ball echoed the sentiment, saying it has been a very pleasant cultivar to grow.

Ball went on to compare his relationship with Alkatib to that of Lil Wayne and Drake. Ball is thrilled with the results from the Rare Breeds program, which has fulfilled his goal of helping young cultivators exit the trap and enter the regulated market. In addition to the pride he takes in lifting up others, he also came away with his first trophy — and some exceptional genetics.

“I want everybody to know you come from this, from this machine, and that’s where all this is coming from. But you also are solo artists, and you deserve to get that shine,” Ball said.

@ballfamilyfarms | @hoodbaby.cult1