By Luke Sumpter

Join us as we celebrate two proud moments for Royal Queen Seeds at one of the most respected weed cups on the calendar. At the HomeGrown Cup 2025, two very different cultivars from our catalog earned their place on the podium. Pink Runtz claimed 3rd place in the Indica category, while Sundae Driver secured 1st place in the Sativa category.

These results matter to us for reasons that go far beyond trophies. In a landscape crowded with bold claims and fast-moving trends, independent cannabis cup recognition still carries real weight. It reflects how a plant performs when grown, harvested, cured, and judged, without the influence of branding or hype. This is where cannabis cup winners are defined by merit alone.

At Royal Queen Seeds, our work begins long before a strain ever reaches a shelf. Every line is shaped through continuous genetic development, careful selection, and repeated testing. We focus on traits growers actually experience: healthy structure, predictable flowering, terpene richness, resin production, and consistency from seed to seed.

Competitions like the HomeGrown Cup provide a valuable moment of truth. They show whether our cannabis cup seeds truly hold up when compared against elite genetics from across the scene.

Being recognized at a grower-focused cannabis cup 2025 event confirms that this approach still matters. It demonstrates that strong breeding foundations and patient refinement continue to set cannabis cup-winning seeds apart, even in a crowded and fast-evolving market.

What Is the HomeGrown Cup?

Illustrated poster of the Homegrown Cup Outdoor edition featuring a cannabis plant in a stylized garden scene

The HomeGrown Cup has earned its reputation as one of the most grower-respected cannabis competitions in Europe. Unlike events driven by spectacle or marketing buzz, this weed cup places the emphasis firmly on what ends up in the jar. Flower is judged on aroma, flavor, appearance, resin quality, burn, and the overall experience it delivers after proper drying and curing.

What makes the HomeGrown Cup stand out is its connection to real cultivation. Entries come from growers who understand the plant and have invested time in dialling in their environment. Judges are not looking for novelty or shock value. They are looking for balance, refinement, and quality that holds together from the first impression to the final experience.

This is why placements at the HomeGrown Cup 2025 resonate so strongly within the community. Independent competitions act as a benchmark that exists outside commercial success. A strain does not win because it is widely advertised or already popular. It wins because it performs under scrutiny.

For a cannabis seed bank, this kind of recognition offers something rare: confirmation that breeding decisions translate into results in real gardens. When genetics place at a competition like this, they earn their position on any serious cannabis cup winners list through performance alone.

RQS at the HomeGrown Cup 2025

Homegrown Cup cannabis awards won by RQS, featuring first and third place trophies from the Outdoor Edition 2025

Each year, the HomeGrown Cup attracts a strong field of entrants. Growers bring their best work forward, often representing months of careful cultivation and fine-tuning. The standard is high, and the margins between entries are often narrow.

Against this backdrop, Royal Queen Seeds secured podium positions in two major categories. Pink Runtz earned a strong third place in the Indica class, while Sundae Driver took top honours in the Sativa category. These results highlight the breadth of our catalog and our ability to deliver quality across distinct genetic expressions.

Behind these wins lie years of focused breeding. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, we work toward stability and repeatability. We select phenotypes that grow with vigour, respond well to training, and finish with terpene and resin profiles that growers and judges alike appreciate.

Success at a cannabis cup is never guaranteed. When it happens across multiple categories, it reflects a process built on patience, observation, and refinement. For us, these awards are not an endpoint. They are a sign that our direction remains aligned with what growers genuinely value.

Pink Runtz: 3rd Place, Indica Category

Pink Runtz cannabis flower, 3rd place award winner, mostly indica

Securing 3rd place in the Indica category, Pink Runtz stands as a clear example of modern, well-rounded breeding. It is a cultivar that combines visual appeal with practical performance, making it equally attractive to growers and judges.

In cultivation, Pink Runtz displays a balanced growth pattern with sturdy branching and a structure that responds well to topping and low-stress training. It adapts comfortably to indoor setups while also performing reliably in controlled outdoor environments. Given sufficient root space and a stable climate, it develops dense, resin-heavy flowers that finish with impressive uniformity.

Growers will see the best results by focusing on fundamentals. Maintain good airflow through the canopy, avoid overfeeding, and allow the plant enough time to fully mature. As flowering progresses, trichome coverage intensifies, bringing with it a rich aromatic profile that played a key role in its cannabis cup success.

Judges recognized Pink Runtz for its complete package. Strong bag appeal, pronounced aroma, and a clean, well-finished flower all contributed to its podium placement. It serves as a reminder that cannabis cup winners are often the strains that balance every element rather than excelling in just one.

Pink Runtz
23_genetic background_1 Gelato x The Original Z x Pink Panties
33_Yield indoors_1 15 to 17 oz/m²
31_plant height outdoor_1 3 to 5 feet
25_flowering time_1 8 - 9 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 26%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 50% Indica 50%
34_yield outdoor_1 16 to 18 oz/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 5 to 6 feet
27_harvest period_1 Middle of October
22_Effect_1 Laughter, Long Lasting , Uplifting

Buy Pink Runtz

Sundae Driver: 1st Place, Sativa Category

Sundae Driver cannabis flower, 1st place award winner, mostly sativa

Winning 1st place in the Sativa category, Sundae Driver highlights the appeal of refined, terpene-forward genetics. Rather than pushing extremes, it delivers a polished and cohesive experience that stood out at the top of a competitive lineup.

In the grow room, Sundae Driver develops with a manageable stretch and a tidy canopy that benefits from early training. It suits growers who appreciate a structure that is easy to control without sacrificing yield potential. With consistent lighting and sensible nutrition, flowers build density while maintaining excellent resin production.

Humidity management becomes especially important as buds mature and trichomes stack. By keeping conditions stable through the final weeks, growers can preserve the strain’s aromatic complexity and visual quality. Proper drying and curing then allow these characteristics to fully express themselves, exactly what judges look for at weed cup level.

A 1st place finish at the HomeGrown Cup confirms that Sundae Driver performs when it matters most. It reinforces the idea that strong cannabis cup seeds are defined by reliability and finish, not by hype alone.

Sundae Driver
23_genetic background_1 Fruity Pebbles OG x Grape Pie
33_Yield indoors_1 14 to 16 oz/m²
31_plant height outdoor_1 3 to 4 feet
25_flowering time_1 9 - 11 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 23%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 50% Indica 50%
34_yield outdoor_1 16 to 18 oz/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 4 to 6 feet
27_harvest period_1 Early October
22_Effect_1 Balanced, Euphoric, Motivating

Buy Sundae Driver

What These Wins Mean for Growers

For growers, cannabis cup awards only matter if they reflect real-world performance. The HomeGrown Cup results do exactly that. They offer independent validation that the genetics behind these strains deliver when cultivated with care.

Competitions act as a filter within the wider cannabis scene. They help distinguish strains that simply sound appealing from those that consistently produce high-quality flower. Traits such as stable growth, predictable flowering times, terpene retention, and post-cure appeal all contribute to defining true cannabis cup winners.

These placements reinforce Royal Queen Seeds as a trusted cannabis seed bank for growers seeking proven genetics. Whether someone is browsing a cannabis cup winners list or simply searching for dependable cultivars, recognition at an event like the HomeGrown Cup provides meaningful context.

Most importantly, these results do not change our focus. We will continue refining and developing genetics with the same commitment to quality that brought Pink Runtz and Sundae Driver to the podium. Awards are appreciated, but the real goal remains unchanged: delivering cannabis cup-winning seeds that perform consistently in the hands of growers around the world.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

[email protected]


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: [email protected].

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to [email protected].

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: