Tips for Choosing Keepers in Veg?

[The Hatter]

For many of us who grow medically we are severely limited in the number of plants we may flower and thus end up having to pick a couple of girls out of maybe a dozen seedlings to keep while the others all get the axe.

I know the title of this thread is something of an oxymoron in that the only true way to determine a plants value is to flower it out and test the final product, but I've started to notice some traits in veg. that often seem to be promising indicators. I would love to hear from others who have identified desirable traits in their vegging plants BEFORE flowering begins. Anything that can help to narrow down the keepers during the culling would be helpful.

The one thing I have noticed that seems to often indicate a plant will be frosty in flower is how aromatic, sticky and frosty the stems on the fan leaves are in veg. The more resin the better.

The other traits I look at include the vigor of the plant and elements of its structure such as internode distance and overall branching propensity and shape.

For those that get forced to choose keepers while still in veg what traits do you look for?

 

[VerdantGreen]

as you already know, the best way would be to pop less seeds at a time or find some way to flower out your plants before deciding.

that said, i would look for plants that have good, vigorous root growth and fast rooting from clone. both are very desirable traits for your keepers.

VG

 

[Spider Crab]

I don't know if there is a way?

I usually pull out weeklings and then think 'that was probably going to be the best one......'

 

[punkenstien]

Wish there was some shortcuts in clone selection. I select keepers on potency and ease of trimming. Would be great to get some tips from the master growers and breeders in our community

 

[yortbogey]

things too look for.....
not the 1st to flower...undesirable trait
hollow stems... desirable
strong smell from the stem rub
good growth pattern w/ evenly space nodes, and branching
usually the short,squat,stinky ones.... are best
ladies, that can handle sum stress, and still produce
tops, or lst, well
clones in under 10days...

things too look for

 

[GReen dreAM]

If I want to choose THE ONE from new strains I start to grow.... I will wait till the mature bud is ready, might be the same strain with 2 diffrent phenos... which u can like and dislike....u never know until the end, In my opinion to choose the best u have to wait till the product is done and tested.....



gd

 

[Mate Dave]

Not one of the runts. One with sport vigour and resistance to P&D.

 

[Spider Crab]

I usually select keepers in early flower, once i can tell what the flowers will smell like.

 

[Coconutz]

You dont really want to make a selection until youve grown them out from clones

 

[AloeRuss]

I normally decide which ones to keep in two weeks after I top them.
By then I know who has more top colas and upper area brunches.
Also, I almost alway have strugglers that just can't catch up with the rest of the group. I usually loose 2 or 3 to that selection

 

[Coconutz]

I normally decide which ones to keep in two weeks after I top them.
By then I know who has more top colas and upper area brunches.
Also, I almost alway have strugglers that just can't catch up with the rest of the group. I usually loose 2 or 3 to that selection

What?

 

[AloeRuss]

Any specific letter confused you or is it all of them?

 

[Coconutz]

Actually it was the logic, or lack there of.
Sounds like you have a stunted plants and shit, so Ill just forget about it and when you learn a thing or two you will be embarrassed.
peace

 

[Chimera]

There's only one tip to choosing keepers in veg.... FLOWER THEM, THEN SELECT!!!
-Chimera

 

[AloeRuss]

Nutz - allow me to ignore you. I am a week from harves with the usual 10 lb from 6 light.
If you have specific thing you want to address, we are listening. "logic" doesn't tell what your problem is.

 

[merrblah]

What ever happened to evaluating the final product??

I think plant selection for appearance, growth rate, growth structure, rooting vigor, even THC levels, etc. etc. is all well and good BUT SECONDARY at best. I understand the need from a production/commercial standpoint, but as far as true selection goes there is only one way in my mind: smoke it & evaluate the high.

After all, aren't we looking for how the plant effects us, not how it looks or produces?

Call me crazy.

 

[Coconutz]

You did read that he was talking about seeds, right?
Like everyone else with a brain said... You have to flower them out.
If you buy a pack of "A/B" and you are looking for A phenos and want to throw out B's, thats fine... But, thats not what his question was, or what your answer was.
The only way to select a keeper is to see if you want to keep its flowers.
Like you said in your own words. Sometimes a few seedlings might just be behind and wont have as many tops or whatever... They could easily be the keepers if run from clone.
The only real way to tell is to flower them from clone - Like I said in my response.
That is all

 

[AloeRuss]

and if possibly you need a visual of a plant with 3 colas, you can see it here. Look, its not even "burned and shit", just like everything in my garden

 

[AloeRuss]

The one thing I have noticed that seems to often indicate a plant will be frosty in flower is how aromatic, sticky and frosty the stems on the fan leaves are in veg. The more resin the better.

The other traits I look at include the vigor of the plant and elements of its structure such as internode distance and overall branching propensity and shape.

For those that get forced to choose keepers while still in veg what traits do you look for?

Talking about the seed? Really? I guess I missed that he mentioned aromatic, sticky and frosty. Exactly what the seed is.
Ok Nutz.. Just never mind. You are right. I'd rather go back to sleep

 

[Coconutz]

and if possibly you need a visual of a plant with 3 colas, you can see it here. Look, its not even "burned and shit", just like everything in my garden

LOL!
They are all burned!
Thats funny shit!
Good luck with your electric bill homie
Cut back on the nutes, kid.
Thank you! I needed the laugh!