As commercial cannabis cultivators, we know the importance of choosing great genetics. It’s one of the essential factors to consider when planning for our next cultivation cycle, and it could decide our level of success come harvest time. Without great genetics, crops can be weak, the outcome can be wildly unpredictable, and in turn, trust can be lost with regular buyers. But the idea of great genetics in a commercial environment goes beyond what strains simply intrigue us. While we like to try specialty crosses and dabble in the connoisseur market, those don’t always produce high yields or the high potency our legal cannabis market asks for.
How many strains should I grow?
The first consideration typically reflects the size of the cultivation space. There should be enough variety in the selected genetics to make a menu interesting, but not so many that there aren’t large quantities of each. Some bulk buyers won’t even consider a batch under ten pounds, so estimating a harvest’s yield ahead of time will give you a good idea of how many different strains should be in a garden. Another point to consider is the growing environment - some strains grow more vigorously outdoors, and others show their best traits when grown in a climate-controlled environment. Understanding a chosen genetics’ desired conditions can increase overall yields and quality.
Can I keep my most popular cultivars for future cycles?
Choosing healthy and dependable strains will award the opportunity to keep particular genetics for future cycles. If cloning, healthy mother plants are a must, so it’s crucial to ensure the mothers’ growing environment is compatible with their specific needs. If planting seeds, consider setting up an R&D area for breeding. Choose strong genetics that are true to their known traits so that their seeds will be stable and reasonably predictable. All of the seeds produced from a single plant will vary slightly from one another, so you can expect the bud structure, aroma, taste, and effects to differ slightly as well. You can think of seedlings as siblings - the same genetic makeup, but minor differences in their expressed traits.
How can I make my farm stand out from the competition?
Where there is consistency in choosing and maintaining genetics, there is strengthening in B2B relationships. To see professional relationships grow, confidence must be built in your ability to pick and sustain a comprehensive genetic menu. This expected consistency puts some farmers above others on a buyer’s purchasing list. In an industry where dependability and full satisfaction can be hard to find, that factor will make a farmer float above the vast sea of cannabis cultivators, highlighting the integrity of their methods and their cultivation wit. Practices like maintaining the best strains for future use can also increase buyer’s interest in pre-orders. If they purchased the cultivar before, they might want to rebuy it, this time before anyone else has the chance.
In conclusion.
Your genetic library is as essential as your growing methods, your cure, your trim, and your customer service. Cultivation starts here - with your genetic selection. Maintaining a spectacular genetic lineup harvest after harvest will boost your farm’s image and pave the road for your success. By making educated decisions in the beginning, your plants will be happy, your customers will be satisfied, and you’ll set yourself up for triumph cycle after cycle.
Are you interested in hearing what the Hive Mendocino farms have on their menu? Please fill out a Wholesale Account form, and we will reach out to you very soon!
Photo by: Chris Butler