Prospective testers - I have a few words of caution for you all.
Everybody loves free seeds, especially exclusive and unreleased testers. People get giddy and jealous about them. If you’re gunning for a tester spot, be picky about who you choose to test for. You’re signing up to dedicate at least 4 months of your time, effort, money, love, and passion to a strain which could either be a total disaster, or an ultra mega super elite, or anything in between.
And, let me just say that breeders are not all created equal. Some test and linework the crap out of their breeding males and females internally and privately for years before sending out testers to the public. Some don’t test anything and just chuck to the latest hype clones they can buy on IG.
Some are assholes, truly downright egotistical pricks who you wouldn’t want to even meet in the supermarket, and some are the kindest, most honorable people you’ll ever meet.
Some are name droppers who like to make themselves look more important and connected than they are. Some are really humble and kind souls who don’t need to pose, and these are usually the ones who vet the shit out of the clones they get before chucking them.
Some threaten people, other growers, testers, anybody who they perceive as a threat. Some are compassionate, generous and forgiving. Beware the people who lie or obviously exaggerate.
Some get multiple reports of herms, and then sell the seeds anyway. Some are more honorable and do not release seeds in the same situation.
Some kiss your ass until you produce a less-than-perfect strain evaluation and smoke report, then drop you like a rock because they didn’t get the result they wanted. Some appreciate the honest feedback.
Some give almost no information about the parents of a cross or the selection involved. Some give you all the info you need up front. Some wait to divulge info about the cross until you submit your final smoke report.
Most will promise multiple times to reward your final smoke report with packs of your choosing, but then never do. On the other hand, some do come through.
Some never reply to your final smoke report, not even acknowledging receipt of it. Some are very engaged and transparent and reply back instantly every time you contact them, even checking in with you if they don’t hear from you for awhile.
Beware the hucksters, the charlatans, the snake oil peddlers, and the just generally bad apples out there. This industry is full of them.
