Next step?

[leafminer]

I've now tested three of the four phenotypes of the squared geno that I named "Secret Agent". The first pheno was more like the indica parent, I smoked it all and it was OK but not for breeding.
Then the #2 broke a little early so I had to harvest it. It's been curing a couple of weeks and it is a strong smoke but again, not for breeding.
# 4 is still maturing and about 2 - 3 weeks from harvest but isn't as sticky as #3 was at the same point.

And so to #3. I harvested it when the trichs were 50% amber and it has proved to be a real knockout. Been curing for a couple of weeks and it is still so sticky that it is hard to roll with; either I spend ages trying to crumble it and just getting hash on my fingertips, or, (what I do), I rip small pieces off and use them, pretty hard to roll a decent one like this, but I do get there.

So; this #3 is just what I was aiming for. It's very strong, potency almost as good as the Aurora parent, but has a distinct sativa high, you know, purple flashes at night, that kind of stuff. It's a long lasting high too. Terrific amount of resin; I got a piece the size of a small pea off my fingers after the trimming.

I selectively pollinated all of these so there must be some seed in there somewhere. My question is this: what's my next step?

1. Potency is great and quality of the high is near-perfect.
2. Yield is poor, probably because of the unusual leaf style.
About 3 oz dry from a 5 foot plant.

I'd like to increase the yield. Should I look for a high yielding sativa to cross it with or should I continue by trying the next generation of seeds from this particular plant, looking for one that has a heavier yield? Right now I am in the winter (indica) grow so this will be for next year's outdoor.

 

[Droopy Dog]

Both! LOL

First off, since #3 hits the spot in everything but yield, I would grow some of these seeds out, pick the best phenos and cross them again, like a second back cross. The seeds from this cross will really start to diviserify and you will really be able to zero in on your ideal.:hubba:

I would also do the out cross with the #3. I would suggest indica to increase the yield, but I know you had problems with the indica outdoors in the summer, so a sativa might be a better bet.

If you can, perhaps save some pollen from this winters indica grow? Or, do some indica seeds for next spring?

I see no reason why you can't:
#3 crossed back on itself
#3 crossed with indica male from current grow
#3 crossed with a sativa that looks interesting to you

In reality though, just the 3x3 cross is going to give you so much different material to work with you'll have your hands full.

Do LOTS of seeds. Don't be concerned about yield on your seed plants.

Luther Burbank would regularly sprout thousands of seeds and cull back to just 1 or 2 that was closest to his ideal.:holysheep: If you pop 100 seeds, the best 2 or 3 are apparent in just a couple of weeks and destroy the rest.

Have fun! It gets real interesting real quick.

DD

 

[Droopy Dog]

Should have mentioned, what I would do for seed mothers is take a clone from that particular plant, grow it out some (size is up to you, 12"-15" worked for me), and pollinate the pp out of it.

No worries about decreased yields or potency and plenty of seeds.

DD

 

[leafminer]

Should have mentioned, what I would do for seed mothers is take a clone from that particular plant, grow it out some (size is up to you, 12"-15" worked for me), and pollinate the pp out of it.

No worries about decreased yields or potency and plenty of seeds.

DD

Cool. I hadn't thought about that. :doh:

I've been trying one, then another, of the three phenos I have cured so far. #1 was the one that never had a chance to mature properly. It is strong but it is more like hitting-on-the-head-lessons. Not what I want. The other is better but still nowhere near the one that I really like. And #4 is out of the game anyway because there's no seed on that one.

OK then . . . the indicas should be finishing around end Feb so I'll germinate the sat-doms early in March, should give me a good start on the season. I'll have to germ twice as many because these will be mixed, not mainly fem.