Finding the One

What does it take to find a cannabis plant with the perfect balance of potency, aroma and therapeutic consistency? At Dalgety, the answer starts at the genetic level.

Over the past year, Dalgety’s grow team have been selecting and refining cannabis plants with the most desirable medical traits through a process known as Pheno-Hunting.

Read more to learn how Dalgety’s Grow team Pheno-Hunt to Find the One.

A phenotype is the physical expression of an organism’s genetics. For example, in humans, hair colour and height are phenotypic traits. In contrast, a genotype is the organism’s inherited genetic code, where various combinations of genetic information could possibly result in the same expressed phenotype.

To isolate the most desirable phenotypes, our growers hunt through numerous seeds of different varieties of cannabis, closely monitoring plants to identify those which possess the desired traits.

Some common traits of interest are:

Aroma
Plant Morphology
Flower Colour
Density
Disease Resistance
Potency
Cannabinoid Profile

Pheno-hunting is crucial in the medical cannabis industry as it facilitates the production of a range of cannabis based products for medicinal use (CBPMs).The process focuses on analysing the most favourable characteristics, uncovering strain diversity and meeting patient demand.

Dalgety’s Step-by-Step Guide to Pheno-Hunting

Selecting the Genetics

The foundation of every great cannabis plant starts with genetics. We thoroughly research different breeders and strains, selecting those with promising characteristics such as potency and aroma to develop a reliable medication.

Cultivation

Once the genetics are selected, seeds are sprouted and grown into mother plants. These mother plants serve as the source for clones, which are flowered and evaluated in controlled cultivation environments. The clones are used for this process instead of the original seedlings, as plants can behave differently when grown from seed versus clone. Assessing clones reveals how each plant is likely to grow in conditions that reflect full-scale cultivation.

Evaluating Flower Traits

After harvesting, the buds are dried and cured to preserve terpenes and potency. At this stage, we focus on the most promising phenotypes that best align with our standards for medical cannabis flower.

Assessing Ease of Processing

At this stage, the buds are carefully hand-trimmed to remove excess leaves. We assess how easily each bud is trimmed in order to ensure consistency across all our products.

Blind Testing

Once trimmed, the medical cannabis is placed into sample bags for evaluation. Each sample undergoes a rigorous rating process based on the following criteria:

Bag Appeal

Rating the visual appeal of the buds, including colour, trichome density, and structure.

Smell Description

Documenting the aroma profile of each sample.

Smell Intensity

Rating how strong and distinctive the scent is.

Additional Observations

Noting any standout characteristics or potential concerns.

Each grower evaluates the samples, scoring visual traits such as morphology, trichome coverage, and aroma. Our blind testing approach ensures no bias, just the flower speaking for itself. Once the ideal phenotype is identified, it is cloned for future production batches.

At Dalgety, finding “the one” isn’t about trends or guesswork, it’s about science, care, and commitment. By refining our process and focusing on every key trait, we ensure that each step brings us closer to making a difference in patients’ lives.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and is intended for healthcare professionals involved in the prescribing and administration of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, regulatory guidelines and clinical best practices may evolve. Prescribers should refer to the latest guidance from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and other relevant bodies when making treatment decisions. Dalgety does not endorse any specific product or treatment pathway and encourages healthcare professionals to exercise their clinical judgement in patient care.