Hey there, fellow cannabis enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of cannabis pheno hunting. We’ll explore some tips to help you identify those exceptional plants and discuss a few tools that can make the process easier.
Studies have suggested that overemphasis on breeding cannabis strains with high THC content has led to declines in cannabis biodiversity.
The Art of Phenotype Hunting:
Phenotype hunting is all about finding cannabis plants with unique and desirable traits. These can range from higher yields and increased potency to enhanced flavors or improved disease resistance.
To embark on this exciting journey, start by growing several plants from seeds of the same strain. Observe their development closely and take note of any differences in their growth patterns, structure, or appearance.
Example of Cannabis Pheno Hunting:
You plant 10 Watermelon Zkittlez from top breeder Barney’s Farm. You’re looking for a fruity/frosty strain because you don’t have one.
Narrowing Down The Best Phenotypes (Traits)
Eight of the seeds sprout, five are females, 1f is too stretchy for your liking and 2f is a dwarf. So you have 3 good females plants left.
At harvest, one of the remaining three comes out good, but not special. Another one has all the standard phenotypes you’re looking for, and had a diesel and fruity taste so you keep that one.
The last one is very fruity and frosty. It didn’t yield as much as the previous diesel and fruity one, but still produced well. You keep both.
In that instance you’re willing to compromise slightly on yield for the fruitiness and frost you were seeking.
When it comes to cannabis pheno hunting, only you know what you want! And if you really want to “pheno hunt” some people would say plant 20 to 100 seeds to really get a lot to choose from.
Record Keeping:
Keeping detailed records is crucial for successful phenotype hunting. Use plant tags and labels to differentiate between plants and document their characteristics.
Consider maintaining a grow journal or using a digital record-keeping system to track each plant’s progress, environmental conditions, and care practices.
Visual Documentation:
A picture is worth a thousand words, and that’s especially true in phenotype hunting. Use a digital camera or your smartphone to capture photos of your plants throughout their growth.
This visual documentation can help you compare plants and identify standout traits more easily.
What to look for:
- Frost Amount
- Odor Strength
- Visual Appeal
- Yield
- Node Spacing
- Resistance to ailments
Tools of the Trade:
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your phenotype hunting journey. Here are some products that can aid you in the process:
- Magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe: Use these tools to examine your plants up close, particularly the trichomes, which can provide insights into resin production, potency, and maturity.
- Hygrometer and thermometer: Monitoring temperature and humidity is essential for maintaining optimal growing conditions, which in turn allows the plants to express their full genetic potential.
- pH and EC meters: Regularly check the pH and nutrient levels in your growing medium and nutrient solution to maintain plant health and prevent nutrient imbalances.
Plant Training Techniques:
Employ plant training techniques like topping, low-stress training (LST), or super cropping to reveal your plants’ potential and structural characteristics.
Utilize plant ties, trellises, and support structures to manage plant growth and expose more of the plant to light, which may influence the expression of certain traits.
Cloning and Preservation:
Once you’ve identified a plant with the desired phenotype, cloning becomes essential for preserving its unique traits.
Invest in cloning supplies such as rooting hormones, cloning gels, and propagation trays to ensure successful clones and a stable genetic line.
Final Thoughts:
Cannabis phenotype hunting can be an exciting and rewarding process, allowing you to refine and improve your plants over time.
Once you find those perfect cannabis phenotypes, check out my guides to maximizing yields so you can grow them into the best plant they can be!