So there is a lot of terms flying around with breeding. I got myself caught between the opinions of two old school mendo breeders on this topic. I usually prefer to say “sift” but one super smart breeder had me briefly in the camp of “genohunting” as opposed to “Phenohunting”. When I tried to dig deeper with him we came to the conclusion we needed to refer to a higher power.
So I got a hold of my new friend Trevor Wittke from SunGrownMidz and Skunk magazine. He laid it down beautifully as I knew he would. Here is what he had to say.
“I’ve never been a fan of the term genohunting and it’s not possible to determine the genotype by popping seeds from a single generation and hunting through them. It is possible to determine the phenotype that is the best in the population based on observable characteristics such as rate of growth (vigor) morphology (size, shape, internodal spacing, floral clusters
characteristics) chemical composition (potency, cannabinoids, terpenes and other secondary metabolites) but with out a controlled experiment designed to uncover the underlying genetic composition (genotype) of the select phenotype or its siblings in the population, or some form of sequencing.”
That’s good enough for me. Like I said I prefer the term “sift” but this is some awesome info right here. Thanks Trevor. Can’t wait to see you again! 🤙🏼
Rasufa, im extremely green but very much into this new hobby (legalized here in Va since july). So basically i just germ seeds and hope for the best, but i am starting to see where maybe you should pop at least 3 and take best 2, if one seems weak? I have seedlings now, 3 are smoking it, but one is just a little twisted midget. I probably should cull. I think i might start doing more seeds. First grow recent harvest a buddy and i popped two seeds each of killer queen, both took ( so far i just use fem) and we grew them out. We both got two different plants, one heavy on pine and some citrus and brighter lime green, the other more vanilla, some pine and floral and darker green and purp. So essentially every single seed out there ( just like humans) is a phenotype and has unique raits, but will share traits with those in the family (genotype).. what a neat plant!! Anyway just wondering the best strategy for popping fem seeds. Should i expect to cull a certain percentage based on seedling strength? Or should i expect most of them to be decent winners? Have a great one and thanks for info!
Since you are doing fems the genetic possibilities have already been reduced. The amount of different phenotypical expressions will depend on how much the breeder has worked to further homozygosity in a given variety. Sometimes a bad seed can happen but if they are tested and fresh, I see no reason why you should have to expect to cull a bunch. So I would say no on popping a bunch of extra “fem” seeds. It is likely you messed it up a bit (maybe over or under watering). It happens so don’t beat yourself up over it. If the runt has good color I might let it finish. By the time you pop a seed to replace it this one will have had weeks to catch up. Fems are expensive so may as well get every bud you can! Rock on dude!✊🏼
Thanks!…thats exactly what i’ll plan. They are expensive, and im developing some sort of seed collection addiction. Im tryin to stop buying them 😄. Cheers rasufa.
I hear ya
Hey you get my email?
I did indeed my friend. I replied but I’m guessing it didn’t get to you. We need to exchange real contact info instead of this! 😂🤙🏼