In the never-ending pursuit of a better bud, the cannabis experts at Santa Rosa Dispensary Flora Terra work tirelessly to find and develop the best strains.
Every cannabis plant is different. They can all express an extensive range of colors, aromas, cannabinoid profiles, flowering times, yields and effects when consumed. By germinating many seeds, a grower can select specific traits, or phenotypes, to cultivate. A treasure-hunt for desired characteristics, we sat down with Sonoma County Dispensary Flora Terra’s Director of Cultivation, Rob Sandow, to learn more about this exciting method for discovering the hottest strains.
The lowdown on Pheno-Hunting
Each seed has a specific set of genetics. Like children, some resemble one parent or the other, while others look completely different. Impossible to distinguish one seed from the next, Flora Terra must begin the growing cycle before the process of elimination can take place. Rather than continuously offer the same strains over and over, relying only on outside sources for genetics, Flora Terra is able to retain full control of their genetics and offer exciting strains available only in the house. Flora Terra does this by using Pheno-hunting, finding the best cannabis Santa Rosa has to offer.
The perfect strain takes time to find. Germinating hundreds of seeds over the course of the year, each cannabis plant needs 3 weeks to reveal their gender and around 6 weeks to show their characteristics. Only the female plants continue the process while the males are separated and used for breeding more seeds. Using lab-testing to determine THC levels and terpene profiles, combined with closely tracking how the plant performs, the practice of defining a good set of genetics takes the Flora Terra team approximately 4 to 6 months. Pheno-Hunting gives Flora Terra the ability to create new flavors and different effects while changing flowering times and growth forms. The plants with the best genes are then sold as clones or flowered and jarred under Flora Terra’s own in-house brand.
Pheno-Hunting for Terpy, THC-rich Strains
Flora Terra keeps a watchful eye on cannabis trends and is constantly thinking about what will become popular and how the market will shift, always staying a step ahead of the curve. Composed of a talented staff who have been collecting seeds for years, this Sonoma County Dispensary is always keeping the genetics fresh. Flora Terra releases coveted clones for sale as soon as possible instead of hoarding the genetics for years before making them available. Shifting the menu every two weeks and germinating a new set of seeds every two months means Flora Terra consistently offers the most exotic clones in Santa Rosa.
One of their more popular phenos, Mac 1 crossed with Menthol, Flora Terra recently released a powerful Tiger Bomb plant. Some other exciting strains in the works are the Wild Lime out of Mendocino, Best Man (Wedding Cake x Mac 1), and the Robot (Rollins x The White). Some of the other exceptional genetics coming down the line are over ten years old, are hard to find, and are almost exclusively available at Flora Terra.
Why is Flora Terra’s Pheno-Hunting Process Better than other Dispensaries in Santa Rosa?
An Upscale Destination Dispensary, Flora Terra respects the power of the cannabis plant and believes that a plant’s seeds are our future. Following the lunar cycle, seeds are sprouted during a new moon. Seeds and roots tend to absorb more water during this time, developing into better-established plants. After infusing the soon-to-be flowers with love and intention, Flora Terra sets up crystals around the grow room, and each member of the crew jots down words of affirmation that are then placed under the germinating trays. This power of positivity results in a 100% germination rate almost every time, and helps build the relationship between grower and plant right from the start.
Flora Terra admires cannabis for its ability to heal and inspire, and this Santa Rosa Dispensary is proud of the quality and variety of cannabis offered. Only the best marijuana and clones in Santa Rosa are available at Flora Terra.
