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Instagram Landrace seed vendors doing the good work
- Thread starter Feb2006er
- Start date
Doing the good work or actually speculating and doing bussiness like Ngakpa suggested in another post?
I have the feeling some just realized about a potential bussiness and gold mine for certain western growers... so it's just becoming another new trend from a small niche that do exists in the market.
Otherwise, where were this guys some time ago? Or why they don't collaborate with local gene banks or agricultire organizations in order to contribute to the real preservation? I think this has nothing to do with preservation landrace or research like many pretend, the preservation word is getting prostituted nowadays. If they really cared about that and characterizing local heirlooms their ultimate goal wouldn't be selling but doing that or even their own projects in order to restore and improve local lines and encourage their use between locals. But IMO they care more about customers than local farmers. In fact they seem to believe hybridization with foreign genes is ok.
Most just copy each other's behaviour. First they advertise all those amazing and super rare strains they've been gathering from old farmers and blablabla. Also their seed hunting expeditions and so on, raving about legendary seeds and plants when most don't even grow themselves. By their posts you realize most are young and often have actually limited experience and knowledge about Cannabis. Picking a few ideas from here and there but showing a big lack of understanding generally.
Then you start to realize they were just creating hype for seeds they were going to release or auction later on. Sometimes you can clearly see how they are selling hybrids and pretending they are unique ancient varieties and all that bs. Trying to give any value to local hybrids like if they were the Holy Grail. But we see this model in many poor places, where the locals just want to sell anything to the tourists. It's basically what they try to do on IG.
This guys just got inspired by The Strain Hunters adventures, I bet that's really how they first know about the Cannabis landraces and it's value in the eyes of capitalists or colonialists LOL. But let's be honest, their ultimate goal is doing bussiness as well and get some money so they can grab the latest iPhone or something like that, because I'm pretty sure it's not precisely the poorest guys the ones who have all those IG accounts and are trying to do bussiness, those probably don't even have access to internet or money to travel. Several local growers from India and other places had controversial opinions about them or how they were fooled by some and even a few of the guys who collect seeds for them confessed they didn't like the fact they want to make money with their local heritage.
It may have started as a bunch of interesting ideas but seems it just became another bussiness nowadays for a bunch of local smart asses. Once they started doing all those auctions, the good promises and ideas from the begginnings faded away and it just turned into a biz. It really reminds me to all the Strain Hunter thing a lot, they are definitely taking lots of ideas from that. Wolves in sheep's skin perhaps? We'll see.
On the other hand, for those willing to pay it may be a good chance to acquire some local seeds and perhaps find something decent, you never know, right?
Just my 2cents though.
Intetesting thoughts from Ngakpa:
I have the feeling some just realized about a potential bussiness and gold mine for certain western growers... so it's just becoming another new trend from a small niche that do exists in the market.
Otherwise, where were this guys some time ago? Or why they don't collaborate with local gene banks or agricultire organizations in order to contribute to the real preservation? I think this has nothing to do with preservation landrace or research like many pretend, the preservation word is getting prostituted nowadays. If they really cared about that and characterizing local heirlooms their ultimate goal wouldn't be selling but doing that or even their own projects in order to restore and improve local lines and encourage their use between locals. But IMO they care more about customers than local farmers. In fact they seem to believe hybridization with foreign genes is ok.
Most just copy each other's behaviour. First they advertise all those amazing and super rare strains they've been gathering from old farmers and blablabla. Also their seed hunting expeditions and so on, raving about legendary seeds and plants when most don't even grow themselves. By their posts you realize most are young and often have actually limited experience and knowledge about Cannabis. Picking a few ideas from here and there but showing a big lack of understanding generally.
Then you start to realize they were just creating hype for seeds they were going to release or auction later on. Sometimes you can clearly see how they are selling hybrids and pretending they are unique ancient varieties and all that bs. Trying to give any value to local hybrids like if they were the Holy Grail. But we see this model in many poor places, where the locals just want to sell anything to the tourists. It's basically what they try to do on IG.
This guys just got inspired by The Strain Hunters adventures, I bet that's really how they first know about the Cannabis landraces and it's value in the eyes of capitalists or colonialists LOL. But let's be honest, their ultimate goal is doing bussiness as well and get some money so they can grab the latest iPhone or something like that, because I'm pretty sure it's not precisely the poorest guys the ones who have all those IG accounts and are trying to do bussiness, those probably don't even have access to internet or money to travel. Several local growers from India and other places had controversial opinions about them or how they were fooled by some and even a few of the guys who collect seeds for them confessed they didn't like the fact they want to make money with their local heritage.
It may have started as a bunch of interesting ideas but seems it just became another bussiness nowadays for a bunch of local smart asses. Once they started doing all those auctions, the good promises and ideas from the begginnings faded away and it just turned into a biz. It really reminds me to all the Strain Hunter thing a lot, they are definitely taking lots of ideas from that. Wolves in sheep's skin perhaps? We'll see.
On the other hand, for those willing to pay it may be a good chance to acquire some local seeds and perhaps find something decent, you never know, right?
Just my 2cents though.
Intetesting thoughts from Ngakpa:
Whoever is out there looking for something special has my support - the industry thrives on the many expressions the cannabis plant may have - and believe me - we have not seen it all - even after being involved in this industry for 43 years - I am still amazed at the many varied cultivars there are out there -
Most growers/breeders find it very difficult to run a garden and still travel widely, and remote enough to possibly come across something unusually nice or unique even - so these seed hunters do serve a purpose - for whatever reasons they are involved - whether it be for some sort of preservation project - or to make a few quid - its all good.
We have our own Seed Hunter here on ICMAG who we thought we had lost over the past 2 weeks - but now he's found - and he has finally made it to Bhutan - Horaay!
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=355609
Most growers/breeders find it very difficult to run a garden and still travel widely, and remote enough to possibly come across something unusually nice or unique even - so these seed hunters do serve a purpose - for whatever reasons they are involved - whether it be for some sort of preservation project - or to make a few quid - its all good.
We have our own Seed Hunter here on ICMAG who we thought we had lost over the past 2 weeks - but now he's found - and he has finally made it to Bhutan - Horaay!
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=355609
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Feb2006er
Active member
To those people that think these guys are a scam then you don’t know them. They aren’t in this to take advantage of anything. Most of the Indian guys are younger and they actually do gift the majority back to the local people. The pro alien
Is that they are always going to new areas. They just revisited wailing valley and took a lot of clothes and books back for the class of kids. I appreciate you taking your time to bash them without knowing them but that’s your prerogative. There is a medic veteran, like myself, who decided to collect seeds while there and he has written a book. I think his bigotry towards the local people is fueling his and his friends attacks against irrazinig and his friends. Himalayan is from Scandinavia and went to Thailand and all over. Afghan_kush lives in Afghanistan and collects melons and many other things for the community. _rastafarout isn’t with them and he is doing his own collecting in South Africa. Im stoked people are collecting and letting it be known exactly where.
Is that they are always going to new areas. They just revisited wailing valley and took a lot of clothes and books back for the class of kids. I appreciate you taking your time to bash them without knowing them but that’s your prerogative. There is a medic veteran, like myself, who decided to collect seeds while there and he has written a book. I think his bigotry towards the local people is fueling his and his friends attacks against irrazinig and his friends. Himalayan is from Scandinavia and went to Thailand and all over. Afghan_kush lives in Afghanistan and collects melons and many other things for the community. _rastafarout isn’t with them and he is doing his own collecting in South Africa. Im stoked people are collecting and letting it be known exactly where.
I was thinking the same exact thing. Networking and discovering new genes is always a good thing.
OP
Their genetics should be atleast fairly priced (no more than 50$ for 10 seeds) as preservationists and breeders must buy multiple packs to look out for something decent in some lines.
Where's the bridge? There are big seed banks and there are seed hunters. It would be nice to have a way to buy seeds from preservationists. Independent little guys I guess, before they make it to larger seed banks. It is a different feeling when you see pictures of the people and places where you are sending money. Compared to a seed bank where you don't actually see the location and breeding and stuff. The number one might have the best but let the others have a shot why not can't hurt is my thought. I guess the word is unfortunate? That it is illegal to grow cannabis so we do not have the opportunity to see all of the breeders' projects more transparently. Established breeders may have done tremendous work above and beyond some random kid pitching seed packs online. Without an open book of the breeding lines, as consumers the only way for us to know is to try growing them out.
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S
Sertaiz
how does that work? all on Instagram?
well, at prices running to 150 - 200 USD for 10 seeds they f-ing well ought to be 'giving back to the community' lol!
donating to their own guesthouse in Parvati surely doesn't qualify
to be fair, the obvious dishonesty doesn't means that what they have isn't what they say it is (with the exception of Sheelavathi, which - again, based on converstaions - it's clear Irranzig is well aware is not a pure landrace, despite pushing it as such; or the bullshit about ruderal Indian plants going extinct) but there's a definite pattern of lies to it all, which is a pity really as it's totally unnecessary and nobody benefits
donating to their own guesthouse in Parvati surely doesn't qualify
to be fair, the obvious dishonesty doesn't means that what they have isn't what they say it is (with the exception of Sheelavathi, which - again, based on converstaions - it's clear Irranzig is well aware is not a pure landrace, despite pushing it as such; or the bullshit about ruderal Indian plants going extinct) but there's a definite pattern of lies to it all, which is a pity really as it's totally unnecessary and nobody benefits
To a Seed Hunter - the journey to find rare and unusual seeds is where the fun is. Then beholding the results of his/her efforts at some later date - and if these results are attractive to breed with - and worthy of the time and effort spent acquiring them - then that would be a worthy outcome for an aspiring or established breeder - and the Seed Hunter too.
Naturally where money enters the equation - it always seems to cause some consternation, particularly where it is very scarce - but sadly we live in a capitalista's world - so are bound to this system in some regard - and are required to have to deal with it, in most business - for better or for worse - unless we can just go back to some bartering system - and that doesn't look like a real solution today. I can't see Amazon accepting an oz of home-grown 'erb for the latest gadget - anytime soon - lol
Naturally where money enters the equation - it always seems to cause some consternation, particularly where it is very scarce - but sadly we live in a capitalista's world - so are bound to this system in some regard - and are required to have to deal with it, in most business - for better or for worse - unless we can just go back to some bartering system - and that doesn't look like a real solution today. I can't see Amazon accepting an oz of home-grown 'erb for the latest gadget - anytime soon - lol
As consumers we shouldn't care what they have going on behind the scenes unless it's something weird like one of them is involved in animal porn or a rapists or something. Just buy the beans or dont buy the beans and keep it moving.
OP
OP
Feb2006er
Active member
I’ve dealt with all of them separately. That’s why I gave a whole list of different people. Some aren’t even affiliated. As far as the seeds are concerned I’m hoping for some winners. I think the landraces are a good thing. The more people see these collectors the more other people will go collecting. I’m here for the weed not the politics.
well, in fact, they're all affiliated - several are multiple accounts for the same people
rastafarout is the only one I don't recognise
the source in Afghanistan is his own guy but has afaik supplied seeds through them. None of what I've said about dishonesty applies to him, he's a sound guy
on the other hand, the dishonesty from Irranzig and co has been blatant
fundamentally that shows a total lack of respect to the people they're selling to, and to the ethics of the whole thing
goes without saying people can make up their own minds whether that matters to them
rastafarout is the only one I don't recognise
the source in Afghanistan is his own guy but has afaik supplied seeds through them. None of what I've said about dishonesty applies to him, he's a sound guy
on the other hand, the dishonesty from Irranzig and co has been blatant
fundamentally that shows a total lack of respect to the people they're selling to, and to the ethics of the whole thing
goes without saying people can make up their own minds whether that matters to them
Feb2006er
Active member
It’s intersting that you claim that only one of those is not the same person. Himalayan connection does his own traveling and collecting. He just decided to go with them on their last expedition. Landrace legacy is actually someone reselling from within the United States from what I understand, which is why they have inflated their prices even higher. While you are correct about full power selections and Irrizinig that in no way means that I am trying to promote for any specific person or groups of people. I’m just letting the people on this forum know that there are people that are collecting land races and those land races are available. Whatever someone has emotionally bound to the politics of the seed collecting is on them. I’m saying that I have seeds from these groups of individuals and that I am rather excited to be able to have access to them.
If any you guys on IG go give our guy @Theseedhunter a follow hes in Bhutan now,.. follow the thread Gypsy's linked above some great photos of our guys trip so far..
