Cannabis breeding question

[xlr8ckm]

Hey there guys just a question on the breeding of cannabis.
I've been reading up a lot about breeding and how to be successful at it but i'm still quite stumped ...

I'm wanting to breed some cannabis and avoid inbreeding depression. I was wondering if I grew say 50 plants and let them freely pollinate (remove any hermaphrodites) would this still be classed as inbreeding and decline into depression or do large numbers avoid this?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Well it depends on what you are trying to accomplish and what your starting plant material is. If you want to try to preserve an IBL then a open pollination like you mentioned is fine. But if you are trying to improve a strain you need to start the selection process for both male and female plants. Give us some more info on what you have and what you are trying to do.

 

[xlr8ckm]

I was thinking on trying to improve some good looking bagseed and try and stabilize the strain . I know bagseed is bad news to breed with but if theres no hermies and it has a good structure why not?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Bagseed can have great potential for good plants. Its just a lot harder to start when you have no clue what genetics you are starting with. My advice is first read Marijuana Botany by Clark. And I mean REALLY read the book front to back. Make that book your best friend! This will give you a good solid base on which to expand your knowledge down the road. I don't know your growing background but it sounds like your are relatively new to growing and may need some more grows under your belt before you tackle breeding. I don't mean that in a bad way, we all start somewhere. Just focus on becoming a good grower and take it from there. Good luck!

 

[xlr8ckm]

Just got the book Marijuana Botany by Clark it really has some good usefull information in it! think this is all I need. Yeah i'm relatively new to growing i've researched well over 100 hours over the years but like you said experience is something you cant beat. Maybe i should tackle a few more successful grows before I get too into it. Thanks for your help!

 

[Matt8800]

cannabis is not as susceptible to inbreeding depression as many other plant species. You want enough inbreeding to select the right traits. I think F3-F5 is ideal.