• 1. New f1 hybrids: cycle start

New F1 Hybrids: Cycle Start

Beginning of the Project

We have started the development of 11 new hybrid strains, and this will be a long-term project. Each of these crosses represents a new direction that requires careful work, observation, and strict selection.

At this stage, nothing is rushed. The goal is not just to create new combinations, but to fully understand how they behave, how stable they are, and whether they meet our standards over the entire cycle.

As always, we begin with the fathers. We plant more than needed at the start, knowing that in the end only one male will remain to cover the entire space. This approach allows us to compare multiple candidates and select the strongest, most stable, and most suitable individual for the job.

Introducing the Mothers

Next, we move into planting the mothers into coco. At this stage, the mothers are placed in the same environment as the fathers, where they begin their development together.

The plants are growing steadily, building structure, and adapting to the conditions. This phase is all about establishing balance between both sides of the cycle and ensuring proper synchronization for the stages ahead.

Early Growth and Structure

We take a close look at how the plants develop in the first few days after transplant, and then compare that to their condition one week later.

The differences are clearly visible. Plants are gaining structure, strengthening their stems, and showing consistent development across the population. Structural stability at this stage is a strong indicator that the cycle is progressing in the right direction.

Reversal Progress

While the plants are actively growing and moving toward pre-flower, the fathers have already undergone several STS applications and have successfully entered the reversal phase.

This ensures that by the time the mothers are ready, the male expression will be fully developed and capable of delivering pollen at the right moment. Timing here is critical, and everything is aligned to prepare for the next key phase.

Pre-Pollination Defoliation

Before pollination, we move into defoliation. This step is extremely important, as it directly affects the efficiency of the pollination process.

The main goal is to hit the timing correctly and ensure that all stigmas are accessible, especially the lower ones. Since we are working with only one selected father, it is essential to maximize pollen distribution across the entire population.

We remove the lower skirts and large fan leaves to open up the structure of the plants. This allows better airflow, improved light penetration, and most importantly, full exposure of all pollination sites.

This preparation stage sets the foundation for an effective and uniform pollination process in the next phase.