I just did a bit more research, and I may be able to help better than in my previous post... but I'm not 100% sure if this is true, because you never know in this business. It sounds like it might be though. I read that Barney's Utopia Hase is simply a slightly reworked version of Reeferman's Manga Haze. This strain is comprised mostly of Neville's Haze and a Brazilian strain called Manga Rosa, with some Afghani genetics thrown in to help keep it maneageable. This is good news in some ways, because this way we know it probably DOES use real Haze, if what I read was correct (its quite possible it isn't, you know how internet seed sales go, lol). The Manga Haze has a flower period of about 70 days, so if Utopia Haze is a reworked version of that, or even an exact copy, then you won't have to deal with a super long flower period. If your plant flowers in 70 days, then it's likely thanks to Reeferman, and not the guys from Barney's. Now that Reef is retiring, I imagine that alot of his strains are going to get stolen/renamed/repackaged/reworked.
- Also, I did yet MORE research on the G-13 Haze, and it turns out it does in fact have SOME Haze in it, but it's more like a quarter Haze than half Haze. Also, I believe now that the Hawaiian Sativa used as Haze in the G-13 Haze is different from the one in Utopia Haze, especially if it is actually Reef's work and not Barney's. I guess that the Hawaiian Sativa I was talking about is a cross of two differen't Sativas, Nevilles Haze x Willie Nelson. So its possible G-13 Haze isn't named so wrong afterall, and likely that BOTH these Haze strains DO in fact have Haze in them, Neville's to be exact, although in differen't amounts and from differen't paren't plants, even if they were of the same genetic lineage.
- So until I hear or see different, I'm assuming Barney's Utopia Haze is just a different version of Reef's Manga Haze. It seems that may be the exact same strain, with Barney's version just slightly re-worked, from what I have been able to gather. Also, considering Utopia haze is Brazilian in origin, as is the Manga Haze, it is quite probable this is the case. They are both primarily Sativas and both have Brazilian genetics mixed in. The reef Manga Haze has some Afghani thrown in to bulk up the yield, keep it shorter in height and shorten the flower period. If the Utopia Haze has a similar flower period to the Manga Haze, and shows similar growth structures then I think it would be safe to say at that point (of course after at least comparing pictures if not comparing the real thing), that they are indeed from the exact same genetic stock, but re-worked to perhaps be slightly different.
This doesn't mean the strain will be bad, it will most likely be tremendously great, but I think that Reef may actually have done all the hard work of developing this strain, and now Barney's is going to take advantage of it now that Reef is retired (as I am sure many other seed banks will, also).
- If it is true, it kinda sucks... the CC is so commercialized now that only 3 or 4 companies actually have the resources to do all that is necessary to actually have a chance at winning, and if THEY are recycling genetics then I don't really see the CC as being all that relavant anymore. Sure, the strains that win are going to be good, but there could easily be better strains there from companies who don't have enough money or marketing experience and ability to actually win the cup... That part is sad.
Still, look into Manga Haze because it might tell you more about Utopia Haze if this is correct. When you flower, try and find some pictures to compare the two. Maybe that will give you an idea of if they are related or not. Until then, I guess you just have to play it by ear. It is definitely a little harder to tell strains apart when they are still in veg and all you have to go on is the fan leaves than when they are budding and you can see how the buds grow in and can see how the calyzes stack up and what-not. Anyway, sorry the first message I posted was a little uninformed, I haven't looked into any of this stuff since last spring. I hope this info helps.