[WelderDan]

We all share the same goal, in that we want to grow the best cannabis that we can, but we obviously have different ideas of what the "best" cannabis is.

Some like Sativa or Sativa dominate plants, some want an Indica or Indica dominate plant and some want a true hybrid that combines one or more traits from both sides of the isle.

And some want to maintain a pure line, be it a "land race" or IBL.

So what does everyone look for in their selection process? Do you look for certain traits or certain smells?

This is an open question, and I want to hear your opinions on all of it. Sativa, Indica, hybrid, whatever. When you have a goal in mind, what do you look for in your parent selections to achieve that goal?

Aaaaand GO!

[amanda88]

For me this canna thing is moving way too quick

but it was until recently

1: Potency

2: Ease of growth

3: Flavor

4: Character, now thats difficult to describe ???



Super Deluxe By SouthStar, like comparing a London cab to an 18 wheeller,
I found her in their all star mix, even more confusing
(https://www.southernstarseeds.net/sup...=common%2Fhome)

cheers/

[WelderDan]

Good start. Potency and flavor are things I look for too. In fact, those are my most important criteria. Yield isn't on the radar for me. Nor is bag appeal.

Now character, that's a description I've not heard used, but I get what you mean. It's like something special, but hard to put your finger on exactly what. But you know if it has it.

Lovely pic BTW.

I also look at structure and smell, as taste is linked to smell.

[BOMBAYCAT]

Flavor, earlier finish (I am at 5600 ft.), potency.

[WelderDan]

What about female and male selection? Obviously we start with the female. It must have the requisite properties, whatever they may be. But we must look at the male too. What does he bring to the party?

[MrBungle]

node spacing is important

[burningfire]

effect over potency..

when you put effect over potency I think it puts flavor and aroma higher up on the list because myself and many people believe terpenes affect the effect.

since I'm an outdoor grower It has to be fairly quick.

yield is secondary, it's always nice to get a nice harvest but it doesn't need to be super dense.

after that I think you can select against some quirks like pest resistance and other things like that.

[WelderDan]

That's a good point. Potent is good, but effect, the way it makes you feel is what a lot of people regard as potency. It's also, I think, a part of what amanda88 describes as character.

So other than smoking to test taste, effect and potency, what are other cues we look for when making selections. By this I mean physical cues. Mr. Bungle mentioned node spacing, and I mentioned structure. What else are we looking for?

[MJPassion]

I tend to be attracted to unique indescribable exotic aromas first.

Plant structure is a high on the list...
I look at internode spacing, branching patterns (I prefer christmas trees & upside down candelabras over hedges where branches grow up the main stem) & bud structure.

[burningfire]

Structure, except for the extremes doesn't really concern me.

sometimes you have to pay the price when you are growing a pure landrace sativa and sometimes you just can't add yield without affecting the high negatively.

but then again, I prefer more spear shaped buds to the prototypical short kush flowers
growing outdoors I need something that will flower around 10 hours of darkness, I can't be waiting until the equinox to trigger flowering.

horses for courses they say but I don't think this really invalidates this thread.