Genetic Selection I, An Introduction

An Introduction: It's a process, not an event!

So you’ve decided to grow hemp for cannabinoid production. You’ve already determined your location, the cannabinoids you want to produce for and tested the soil and amended/purchased your fertilizer regimen. [Note: if you are lacking in any of these steps, it’s not too late...reach out and we can help!]

Now comes the single most important decision...comprised of many decisions!! Clone or seed stock? Propagate your own or purchase live plants?

Choosing clones vs. seedlings is an important decision. It will affect a few factors that will either make or break your season. Timing impacts the yield, cannabinoid levels, plant immunity and overall profitability of your crop. Root structure of clones and seeds are very different. Seeds proliferate with a taproot and focus strictly on diving deep and branching off with long bilateral roots while clones tend to have shorter roots that grow outward in a semi-circular fashion. Genetic variability  also differs between clones (zero variability) and seed (potential for significant variability) stock. Resources including access to facilities and funds will determine whether propagation is inhouse, outsourced or purchased outright. Sourcing seeds, seedlings, clones and outsourcing any germination/proliferation require its own host of considerations as well. 

Over the next several blog entries we’ll cover:

• Pros & cons of seedlings and clones.
• If you have the facility, considerations for self-production (of above)
• If you purchase, considerations when selecting a supplier

Check back Wednesday as we explore...

Pros + Cons of Working with Clone Stock