Pheno-Hunting: How to Pheno-Hunt for Optimal Characteristics

The evolution of cannabis, as we know it today, is the result of the hybridisation of many classic landraces, and pheno-hunting has played an important role in this process. By selectively breeding plants with desirable traits, growers have created new and unique strains with characteristics not present in the original landraces.

Firstly, it is important to comprehend the terms genotype and phenotype. Genotypes carry all the genetic information about an organism’s traits, while phenotypes are the observable physical expression of those traits. Environmental factors can influence the expression of specific genes, leading to different phenotypes. Let’s delve deeper into phenotypes, what they are, and how they play a role in growing cannabis?

What is a phenotype?

The term phenotype describes the features or characteristics of plants created by the same parent, including posture, cannabinoid content and yield. It is a quintessential factor when selecting and breeding cannabis strains since it represents how a plant’s genetic makeup is expressed in its physical appearance.

For example, some strains have phenotypes expressing a high concentration of anthocyanins, which are only expressed in cold conditions, turning the foliage purple, like the Purple Cookie Kush Feminized. On the other hand, Jamaican Pearl exhibits an open bud structure during flowering. Understanding phenotype allows growers and breeders to identify desirable traits and work towards developing new strains with specific characteristics.

What is pheno-hunting?

Pheno-hunting is a method used to identify and handpick specific cannabis plants based on their desirable characteristics. These traits may include flavour, aroma, potency, yield, and resistance to pests or diseases. Growers often decide to either clone or remove a plant from the lineup based on their desired traits. This process is essential to ensure that only the best plants are grown and harvested, resulting in high-quality cannabis strains for growers and consumers.

Pheno-hunting is an art that requires patience, knowledge, and a keen eye for detail. One of the best examples in the cannabis industry is the founder of Sensi Seeds, Ben Dronkers. He travelled the world to find the most exotic strains, brought them back to The Netherlands, and spent years refining their genetics to enhance their terpene profiles, cannabinoid content, and growing difficulty.