I’d like to see if the male I’ve kept is putting out good seeds (potent plants.) It’s pollinated 5 different strains. Only 10 seeds can be popped for this test . Would it be best to pop 2 from each cross? Or pop 10 seeds from one cross? Maybe 5 from two crosses?
Not sure if only popping 2 from a cross is going to give a decent sample. Popping 10 seeds of all the same cross would give a better sample for that cross, while only testing one. 5 from 2 crosses might be the happy middle, or not good enough either. What would you do?
I’ve never done this before, I’m just giving my opinion. I would do 2 from each cross and look for similar characteristics. Then you might get an idea of the dominant traits that the male passes on. Also it would give you more variety when you smoke it, if that’s important to you
While variety of smoke is greatly appreciated, that is not a consideration at this time. Have or can get a variety easily. Popping 2 of each cross was my first thought of how to do it, also. Having second thoughts.
This is the problem with making seeds. You really need to hit the same female in the form of several clones with different males. Then you have to hold the males while you grow out the seeds, dry the herb, and smoke it. Then you pick your male, and you can get rid of all but the keeper male. It takes a lot of plants, a lot of time, and a lot of taking good notes. And that is for 1 strain.
The males keep their secrets hidden. But, for now, just grow your seeds and see what has happened. You may be sitting on magic beans.
One good thing to do is take clones from a few males then stress test the originals, does one handle drought better than the other ?
Maybe one produces a nice stem rub when it becomes mature and others don’t.
Do any of them grow hairs if subjected to light leaks or weird photo periods , low light conditions , male dominate herms often hide , they show the hairs late in the cycle and often have pollen collected and are killed before then…
Which has the best root system ?
If you have the rare male that produces trichomes , collect them and make hash.
Males that smell of black pepper or dank herb have always been winners for me.
Also using a male from a line that is known to breed specific traits into the offspring is a huge help but most of the new hybrids are very unstable in that regard. This is why I like ibl and landrace lines for breeding , not that I limit myself to that but it’s where I see a lot of potential for new unique plants to be found and lines to be improved in a predictable way.
My 2cents(for what little it’s worth lol), I’d pop 5 of each of the two strains you are most familiar with. If you know what their progeny typically looks like you can have a more consists idea of what that male brings to the table.
As cool is it might seem to do 2 of everything, I don’t believe it will give you an accurate picture of what the male does. For example if you end up with mom heavy phenotypical expressions. You might not have any idea of how the male imparts his traits.
That being said, don’t put to much stress on it. Any mistakes now will on contribute to you getting better in the long run. Have fun and do what you heart tells you
One is the start of several. Ideally it would be several clones from different males all at once. That isn’t a possibility, so the process is slow rolled.
I’m now leaning this way. Pick my favorite strain, and the one that I think will cross the best. Popping 2 of each doesn’t guarantee any results for a strain as there might be 2 males, and the results would likely be only 1 female of that cross. Kind of a waste of a test and time.
i agree with the folks that suggest pick 2 strains you are most familiar with (how they grow, their needs and yields) and pop 5 of each…
personally, I would keep them smaller than usual by flowering at 12’‘-16’'-- then do it again with 2 more strains when these get harvested…
Also-- if you can, keep a clone of the best plant from each batch to back-cross with any really great males you get in the future!
JMO
. Would it be best to pop 2 from each cross? Or pop 10 seeds from one cross? Maybe 5 from two crosses?
Popping 2 of each cross was my first thought of how to do it, also. Having second thoughts.
