Happy Monday Everyone!
This week NASC Asks: In your experience growing, what strain has had the most unique and/or complex terpene profile? Which strain has your favorite terpene profile?
Happy Growing!
Strawberry Cyanide Auto is the pungent, Strawberry Diesel-forward cross of the Bruce Banner and Dirty Bird’s own, Sour Gorilla Auto. In tracing these genetics back, you’ll find that the aforementioned mother and the father have strong sour diesel and strawberry diesel lineages in common. This explains why the Strawberry Cyanide Auto felt so timeless when we first tested the genetics in early 2026. The look and smell brought us back to the early 2010’s when medical cannabis was just gaining steam here in Maine. The east coast Sour Diesel genetics dominating the genome back then were truly unforgettable and, until this point, equally elusive. Anyone who has worked closely with us knows we’ve been hunting for an incredible Sour Diesel ever since. While we have yet to find it in the photoperiod gene pool, this cross has unexpectedly delivered us a win.
The Strawberry Cyanide F1 Auto is a hybrid cross that exhibits great uniformity and vigor, and incredible terpenes. In the first 5-6 weeks of its life, it may appear moderately stretchy due to its vertically-oriented structure, but by the end of week 7 it kicks into high gear and begins filling out its gorgeous, multi-toned flowers. By harvest, most of the cohort will have calyxes and fan leaves flecked with maroon and dark purples. Flower morphology is long and conical with minimal leaf, making this strain easy to manicure and process. Some plants will fill out their length better than others, with the shorter, tighter phenos being the keepers we chose to move the line forward to the upcoming F2 generation.
Terpenes are unwavering in their potency, but diverge slightly between sour petroleum and strawberry sandalwood. Bright sour, chem, and gas is definitely the dominant profile, and a token example of the terp profile that gave the legendary Sour Diesel its name. The strawberry comes in as a strong second adding complexity and flavor to an already bright, intriguing palate. About 15% of plants were strawberry-dominant with sour/chem undertones.
Expect plants to finish between 65-75 days. When scoped at day 65, we observed amber coloring in approximately 5% of trichomes, making it an early finishing autoflower in our indoor grow. Trichome stalks were tall and copious with medium, average sized heads. Flowers were incredibly greasy. In breeding this line forward, we noted that the plants remained very healthy when pushed past their prime into 80-90 day territory, indicative of healthy, stable genetics that are unlikely to herm, even in adverse environments. Plants will gain deeper color the further you push them.
PVI: Low-moderate – Strawberry Cyanide is a plant that grows vertically with a strong central cola, moderate stretch, and moderate internodal spacing. Great for sea of green or scrog. About 25% of plants will be shorter with tighter internodal spacing and stacking, but these will otherwise resemble the taller, dominant phenotype. Flowers are tall and conical with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio making them easy to process. Coloring will range from a vibrant green to a dark green with maroon and purple flecks of color in the fan leaves and calyxes.
Yield: Average to high
Flowering Time: 65-75 days
Terpenes: Our favorite kind of gas, very reminiscent of the classic Sour Diesel! Bright Sour/Chem/Petroleum; Strawberry; Undertones of Pine and Sandalwood.
Read full post here.
When it comes to Cannabis breeding, most attention is focused on the females
and the desirable traits they express but it is also critically important to pay close
attention to the other half of the seed equation: the males. Many people breed with
feminized plants but there are still quite a few breeders who understand the power of
breeding regular cannabis plants. For those interested in reg breeding, the traits
exhibited by the male cannabis plant are just as important as the traits exhibited by the
female cannabis plant, even if those traits the male possesses aren’t as obvious at first
glance.
Male cannabis plants don’t readily show their colors, what female progeny flower
morphology may look like, nor do they give off the large quantity of terpenes that female
plants do during their flowering stage. Male cannabis also produces way less trichomes
which can make it hard to determine what its contribution to the next generation’s
trichome accumulation will be. Despite the difficulties in determining what traits males
may pass along, there are several factors we look for when selecting a keeper male for
breeding stock.
Maturity Time:
One major trait that can be observed is the time it takes for the males to initiate
flowering as well as the total flowering time until mature pollen is released from the
anthers as they dehisce. The males that flower earlier and produce pollen sooner can
translate to female progeny that has faster flower onset and quicker flowering time. This
trait can be a two-edged blade as early flower development and shorter flowering time
can be a great boon for outdoor growers in wetter climates as they may be able to reap
their harvest before mold sets in during the colder months of September and October.
Certain cannabinoids and terpenes take longer to synthesize and concentrate in large
quantities in the interior of the sticky trichome heads. If flowering time is too short, you
may risk losing some potency and/or terpenes that may have been expressed in greater
quantities with an extra week or few weeks of flower development. Ultimately this is
cultivar specific as there are many strains available on the market that do have rapid
flower onset and short flowering times that still reach approximately 30% THCA
concentrations, as well as high total cannabinoid concentrations.
When selecting males for our breeding program we watch and document flower
onset, latency of dehiscence (i.e. how long does it take from seeing initial anthers/male
flowers until the anthers start opening and releasing pollen), how long the males produce pollen for, and total flower yield. Growing the males out until all the plants you
selected to hunt from have completed this part of their cycle is very important as many
of the males who didn’t flower first may end up having larger flower yields if left to run
the course of their flowering stage. By not immediately pulling the trigger on selecting
the males fastest to release pollen you may see other males in the selection pool that
actually have larger yields, which can translate to larger female progeny flower yields.
These metrics help us determine which male may have the traits desired for a
given project, although project goals change slightly between different cultivar lines.
With some lines we are looking for faster flower onset and maturity and thus look at the
earliest flowering, and then ultimately pollen producing, males. With other lines the
flowering time/ flower onset isn’t as much of a focus and increasing the yield of the next
generation is the targeted trait. With a breeding project aimed at increasing yield,
growing all the males out until flower yield can be determined is imperative for making
the best choice of pollen donor.
Stalk Strength/Overall Plant Morphology:
Stalk strength is one of the most easily observable traits in male cannabis plants.
Watching how they grow and seeing if they need any staking throughout their lives is a
big tell to us whether that pollen will help to strengthen the next generation’s stalks. By
applying light pressure on the middle of some lateral branches on the male plants we
can determine if the lateral stalks will be strong or weak. Obviously strong stalks are
desired as this may translate to stronger stalks in their female offspring, which is a
bonus especially when those future female stalks/branches start being tested under the
weight of developing female flowers. Males observed with weak lateral and/or apical
stalks are removed from the selection pool and only those that can hold themselves and
their lateral branches up remain to be chosen from for future breeding.
The overall morphology of the male matters a lot too. Does it grow many leaves
that face in towards the apical stalk? Does it have tight node clustering with short
internodal distance or long internodal distance? Do its lateral branches grow in
alternating patterns to maximize light penetration to the lower branches or not? Did it
stretch a normal amount in flower? More or less stretch than what is normally
observed? The answers to these questions also help us determine which male to keep
as a male with tight internodal spacing, moderate to low leaf coverage, and an
alternating branch structure is highly desirable for increased yield as well as decreased
maintenance (i.e. less defoliation required). The overall morphology of the male plant
can help a breeder determine how it may pair with the female pollen receiver they have
selected. Does the male look like the female in vegetative structure? Does it look
different in a beneficial way? If we have a female cannabis plant that has many great. traits but is a bit too leafy, selecting a male with moderate to low leaf:flower (anther)
ratio may help in clearing out the shaggy appearance of the female pollen receiver in
the next generations offspring.
The Brunch F1 (Peanut Butter Breath -Thug Pug x Mimosa -Symbiotic) original
used a natural male Mimosa cultivar from Symbiotic in its creation. The Mimosa male
was selected as the winner of its cohort largely due to its incredibly strong stalks and
good internodal spacing, as well as a desirable plant morphology that allowed much
light penetration at all heights of the plant. We have seen the strength of that Mimosa
male in many of the Brunch F1’s as well as in many of the Brunch crosses that
developed from that original F1.
Dirty Bird's Sour Moose F1 keeper cut exhibiting exceptional stalk strength, great internodal spacing, and desirable overall morphology.
Terpenes:
Male cannabis plants do produce trichomes, just nowhere near the quantity
generated by female cannabis plants. This can make terpene profile somewhat difficult
to determine on many male cannabis plants. By allowing the male plants to flower for
their full cycle, and by checking on them weekly if not daily, a breeder can observe if
terps are developing and what kinds of aromas the males may pass along. By rubbing
the stems and/or the lateral stalks of the male cannabis plant, a breeder can get a pretty
good idea of the terpene profile that male could contribute to the next generation.
The Mimosa male, mentioned above, also had a strong terpene profile, for a
male, during the initial hunt. By rubbing the apical stalk, one could easily get a citrus,
pine, fruit profile and we have observed this culminate in the sweet-apple like terpene
profile exhibited by most Brunch F1’s and resulting crosses. This highly detectable
terpene profile found in the Mimosa keeper male was another reason for its selection as
the pollen donor for the original Brunch.
Cherry AK male plant + pollen donor at Dirty Bird Genetics as it develops over two weeks.
Color:
Some cultivars are purely green, and others have a range of purples that vary in
expressivity from flecks in the calyxes or the edges of leaves all the way to full leaf
and/or calyx purpling. In some cultivars, this coloration can be seen on the males as
well. If purple color is a trait you are looking for when breeding regular photoperiod
cannabis, then paying close attention to what males, if any, in a pheno hunt develop
color and to what degree they develop that color is very important.
Progeny:
The absolute test of what traits your chosen male passes along are the traits you
observe in its offspring (progeny). As long as you know the traits of the mother plant, by
taking consistent and detailed notes on her over multiple grows in multiple settings, you
can deduce what traits the progeny received from the male pollen donor. This is
invaluable in determining if you have selected the correct male to pass along traits that
hit the goals of your specific breeding project.
We usually keep 2 or 3 males that seem the most promising from a hunt and then
breed all three (in separate rooms and/or at separate times) into clones of the same
mother plant. Using this method we can track the traits passed along by each male by
observing the traits in the offspring for 2 or 3 separate lineages. If the offspring from the
first male line look better than the offspring from the second or third lines, we may
determine that the male that donated pollen for line 1 is superior as far as the traits it
imparts. It takes time, patience, and meticulous note taking but is worth the effort to
determine the best pollen donor for your future projects. Growing out as many of the
progeny as you can will only increase your chances of truly seeing what traits exist in
that new gene pool and is highly recommended for breeders looking to more fully
understand what traits exist in that new resulting cross.
Summary:
Although it is difficult to gauge exactly what traits a male cannabis plant will pass
along to the next generation there are observable characteristics that can be
determined and tracked to have a better idea of the traits you will see in the resulting
progeny. By paying attention to flower onset and maturity time, overall plant morphology,
stalk strength (apical and lateral), coloration, any terpene profile exhibited, and the traits
seen in the resulting offspring, a breeder can get a better picture of the value of a male
cannabis plants' genes.
Read full post here.
For this round, we tried Mint Lemonade Auto, a new addition to the Alpha Series by Dirty Bird Genetics. She is a cross of Purple Lemonade Auto x Mint Jelly Auto. Read on to learn about our experiences.
Mint Lemonade is an afternoon delight for me. This was an excellent post-work, pre-dinner strain. It helped me decompress after a long day, but kept me functional to tackle some tasks that were more lax. It's a great option for fans of calming, balanced strains. It also jump started my appetite right before dinner, and as many of you can imagine, it made the meal taste twice as good. Soreness in my feet became a temporary after-thought. The taste and smell offered a pretty even lemon and herbal blend, with a few random pops of zestiness. I appreciate this combination of terps a lot!
- Crystal
I really loved this strain! I instantly felt super chill and mellow when I smoked Mint Lemonade. The buds are stunning with flecks of purple throughout. It ground up beautifully and smoked very smoothly. The smell and taste is sweet and has some fruity vibes that are present but not overpowering. I would recommend this strain in the evening to unwind or enjoy it on a rainy day when you have nothing to do except watch tv and take a nap. It definitely makes you super relaxed. Have snacks ready of course!
- Mariah
Check out full post here.
JULY DROPS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED - Dirty Bird Frosted Volcano, Purple Caper Drop, Ethos Drop, Dutch Passion Drop, Sweet Seeds Drop, Irie Genetics Drop, Dirty Bird BRUNCHFAST, Subcool Drop, Lit Farms Drop, Tastebudz Drop, Supernatural Seeds Drop, Fastbuds Drop, Brothers Grimm x Montel Drop, Brothers Grimm Tester Drop, Happy Valley Pinecraft, Jolly Pond Farm Snowshoeing, Dirty Bird Heavy Metal Breath Auto & MORE!
DROPS - Dirty Bird Thousand Islands and Sour Maui Alpha Drop 8/1, Dirty Bird Star Fists Alpha Auto and Strawberry Cyanide Alpha Auto Drop 8/7, New Breeder TMB Selects Drop TBD, Thug Pug Drop TBD, Ethos Drop TBD, Fastbuds Drop TBD, Mosca Seeds New Strain TBD, Sweet Seeds New Drop TBD, Offensive Selections New Drop TBD, Ace Seeds New Drop TBD, Tastebudz New Drop TBD, Supernatural Seeds New Drop TBD & MORE!
DISCOUNTS - Animal Collection 10% OFF, Breeder of the Week Discounts & MORE!
FREEBIES - Hazey Daze of Summer Sitewide Freebies Start 8/7, North Atlantic Seed BWL Freebies, In House HUGE Double Freebies Special, Sin City Freebies, Irie Genetics BOTW Freebies, Bomb Seeds BOTW Freebies & MORE coming later this month!
BOTW - Sweet Seeds (10% OFF / Giveaway), Irie Genetics (10% OFF / Freebies), Bomb Seeds (10% OFF / Freebies), Ed Rosenthal (10% OFF / Giveaway)
Giveaways on our Patreon and MORE!
& more drops and specials to come! Full information coming soon.
Full details available on our website. Exclusions apply. While supplies last.
Do you want to get into growing, but you're completely unsure on where to start? This post will feature some resources related to growing, grow-products, and seeds that will get you there, without extensive effort. These recommendations come from cannabis seeds we grew ourselves and had a lot of success. We also built this category based on recommendations directly from the breeders themselves through many conversations over the years. Most importantly, we took years of feedback from home growers like yourself and added strains to this category that make it as easy as possible to find cannabis seeds to get you started on your grow journey!
FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://www.northatlanticseed.com/blog/beginner-friendly-recommendations/
Our next sesh was with Candy Apple Kush, part of Volume 4 by Dirty Bird Genetics. She is a cross of Luna's Wrath x Bad Apple [Sugar Mill Cut]. Read on to learn about our experiences.
Right off the bat, there is splendid bag appeal with healthy nugs of greens and purple. I can smell and taste an apple-like sweetness with moments of citrus and an occasional musky funk. It was a smooth smoke overall. The start of the high had me feeling goofy and sharing laughs with my better half. After the peak silliness subsided, I started to fade. The comedown was very calming and soothing, but there was no room for activity. This one put me to sleep at a decent hour so I would definitely save this strain for the night-time wind down sesh. This one is for you if you prefer indicas or need a little help catching the Z’s.
- Crystal
Candy Apple Kush is perfect in the evening to unwind after a busy day. It really knocks you into a state of deep relaxation and makes you forget your troubles. It’s great for zoning out and watching a good movie before going to sleep. I would not smoke this early in the day since it does tend make you sleepy. Its name really suits it because when you open the bag, it actually smells like apples and candy. The buds are sugary and dense, and it grinds and burns really well. It definitely made me want to eat a snack and get cozy. I’d recommend for insomnia and anxiety as well!
- Mariah
Check out full post here!
Keep things simple.
Most mistakes happen when you overwater, overfeed, or constantly tweak your setup. Let the plant do its thing, check on it daily, and give it time to respond before making changes.
Don’t harvest by the calendar alone.
Flowering times are a great general guide, but every setup and outdoor climate is slightly different. Instead of chopping strictly because a set number of weeks have passed, get a cheap jeweller's loupe and check the trichomes.
Be patient with drying and curing.
It’s tempting to rush right after harvest, but if you don't give your flowers a proper slow dry and cure, you'll burn off the terpenes and flavour you just spent months working for.
My personal favorite projects (being a Halloween baby) have been our limited Halloween drops like Cereal Killer and Scream Cheese. We really enjoy doing these limited runs because they let us step away from our main catalogue of sweet, dessert-heavy strains and lean into potent cheese, and old-school, nostalgic terps, with the one-off dark aesthetics to match.
When we were finalizing our Cookie Dawg line, we were torn between two phenos: one with a more peppery kush gas, and another with a peanut-butter-dough smell. We’d been debating over which one to keep, and during an evening smoke sesh, we joked out loud that we needed a sign from the universe. Moments after, our cocker spaniel trotted in, ignored the gassy jar, shoved his nose in the peanut-butter pheno, and sat down next to it wagging his tail like he wanted a biscuit. We went with that exact pheno, and putting his photo on the sticker was a no-brainer since he basically made the final decision for us.
For outdoor, I would recommend: Blueberry Octane Auto (NEW — Champagne Octane × Blueberry Kush Auto). Built for unpredictable weather, it inherits an old-school Blueberry structure with thick foliage that handles humidity and temperature swings. It finishes fast in 8 to 9 weeks to beat late-season mould, while its heavy myrcene and pinene terps naturally deter garden pests.
For beginners, we’d recommend: Lemon Runtz Auto (NEW — Lemon Venom × Black Runtz Auto). It features a robust, forgiving structure that easily handles nutrient bumps without stressing out. As a fast 8-to-9 week auto requiring zero light-cycle management, it gives newcomers an easy, low-maintenance run while stacking loud, sugary lemon buds.
For flowering time under 8 weeks, we’d recommend: Hash Cake Fem (Critical × Wedding Cake). This photoperiod powers through a fast 6-to-8 week bloom cycle. It inherits famous Wedding Cake performance—packing on dense, rock-hard buds and heavy frost—while layering rich vanilla dough with earthy pine and deep kush notes for a great sweet-and-savoury contrast.
Gorilla Gas Auto (Chemdawg × GSC × GG4 Auto) was selected for its naturally resilient genetic profile. Developed for durability, it grows thick branching to support heavy flowers and features a high bud-to-leaf ratio for quick trimming. Loaded with caryophyllene and limonene, it has strong natural defences against environmental stress while pumping out peppery lemon-diesel gas.
Cookie Dawg (Peanut Butter Cookies × Kosher Dawg) was selected for high yield thanks to its rapid growth and heavy flower stacking. Strong lateral branches hold serious weight, making it a reliable pick for big harvests paired with nutty peanut butter and kush fuel.
Best high-THC choice would be: Back to the Future Fem (Original Glue × Alien Tahoe OG). It sits at a heavy 30% THC on the spec sheet, but it’s the synergy with the terpenes that makes it hit so hard. Earthy myrcene and peppery caryophyllene drive the entourage effect, delivering a deep body stone perfect for physical pain relief, muscle aches, and evening relaxation.
Sour Sherb Pop Fem (NEW — Pink Apple Soda × Sour Sherbet) is our top terpene-heavy choice for its loud, punchy flavour. It mixes crisp apple soda with sharp sour sherbet, giving you an intense, tangy, and refreshing sweet-and-sour profile that coats the mouth.
For extraction, we’d recommend: Rainbow Grease Fem (NEW — RS11 × Grease Monkey). Grease Monkey is famous for dumping greasy resin heads. Crossed with the sweet tropical fruit of RS11, this cross is a dream for washing and extraction, delivering great yields and loud candy terps.
Check out the NASC Cast with Purple City Genetics!
The Purple City Genetics' strains that are featured below are great for extractions or have an immense terpene profile.
Grow for the Hash: Strains that are Great for Extractions
Grow for Flavor: Strains with an Immense Terpene Profile
Check out full blog post here!
Feed the soil. By using natural compost and encouraging beneficial microbes, the soil ecosystem does all the heavy lifting for you—breaking down nutrients and feeding the plant exactly what it needs naturally.
Keep it simple and sustainable. You can reduce, reuse, and recycle so many everyday things for your garden, like making your own compost, collecting rainwater, and growing companion plants. Relying on beneficial bugs (and their nutrient-rich poo!) or brewing DIY organic boosters like sprout tea is way more cost-effective, eco-friendly, and keeps your grow 100% natural.
Enjoy the process and learn from your plant. The most common beginner mistake is stressing out and trying to micromanage everything. Take your time checking in on your garden every day—observe how it changes, and don't be afraid to just slow down. Growing for the first time should be an enjoyable, relaxing experience and a fun learning process.
Our favorite breeding projects are probably the ones where we get to work together across Supernatural Seeds and Tastebudz Genetics. Because we’re married, it makes the whole process feel a bit more personal. We both bring different ideas to the table. A good example is two new strains we're excited to release: Tropical UFOG and Purple Mooncake.
The name Supernatural Seeds actually came about during an evening in our campervan on a road trip around Wales. We wanted our brand to remind people that cannabis is pure nature. Just like the beneficial mushrooms and ancient plant medicines humans have used for thousands of years, it shouldn't be restricted or controlled—it should be recognized for the super natural being it is (like all of us) — so the name Supernatural just clicked. We also love the fun paranormal double meaning, which connects to all our late-night chats about UFOs, space, and the unknown... where we concoct our artwork and strain names.
For outdoor, I would recommend: Galactic Grape Auto, because autos are a practical choice for shorter or unpredictable seasons, finishing quicker while still bringing that sweet, fruity profile.
For beginners, we’d recommend: Sour Orange. It’s a great introduction to feminized strains, with bold citrus, clementine, sherbet, and tangie genetics.
For flowering time under 8 weeks, we’d recommend: Champagne Octane photoperiod, which powers through a fast 7 to 8 week bloom cycle.
Glookie Monster was selected for its naturally resilient genetic profile. From the O.G. Kush side, it carries a rich terpene background of caryophyllene and limonene, both associated with strong aromatic expression and natural plant defence traits. The Gorilla Glue influence adds further resilience through thick branching, strong hybrid vigour, heavy resin potential, and a favourable calyx-to-leaf ratio.
Apple Tart was selected for high yield thanks to its sativa-leaning structure, which supports a rapid growth spurt during early flower and helps maximise canopy coverage. This vigorous stretch allows the plant to develop strong branching and heavy, stacked colas, making it a standout choice for collectors looking for high-yielding genetics.
Best high-THC choice would be: Black Cherry Crush for its potent genetic profile and rich, resin-heavy expression, driven by a powerful indica-dominant lineage and a bold cherry terpene profile.
Permanent Funk is our top terpene-heavy choice for its loud, complex flavour profile—blending caryophyllene from the sweet sherb gas of Permanent Marker with myrcene from the creamy blue cheese funk of Blue Fondue.
For extraction, we’d recommend: Blue Fondue, because its Blue Cheese × Gorilla Glue genetics are known for heavy resin production, delivering a strong terpene profile of cheese, berry, and earthy gas.
The Purple City Genetics' strains that are featured below have a high potency or big yield.
Grow for the High: Strains with High Potency
Grow for Yield: Strains that Produce a lot of Flower
Read full blog post here.
Happy Monday Everyone!
This week NASC Asks: Have you ever bred your own genetics? Tell us how it turned out!
Happy growing!
Purple City Genetics is one of the original cannabis nurseries in California—and the last one standing. We're the largest feminized seed producer in the state. We’ve also been on the ground in Barcelona since 2018.
We will always be guided by a few core beliefs:
• We exist to match cultivators' dreams and ambitions.
• The progression of cannabis requires audacious imagination.
• One innovation can ultimately benefit the entire industry.
When it comes to serving cultivators, there's no problem too large or too small. We’re focused on amplifying farmers’ abilities, advancing the cannabis plant’s potential, and inviting everyone to experience growing cannabis for themselves.
Breeding at Purple City Genetics is both evolutionary and revolutionary. We are dedicated to continually improving demonstrated approaches as well as manifesting completely original ideas that force a reappraisal of what's possible. Every exploration serves the unrelenting pursuit of better cannabis. To that end, we are grateful to have been recognized with multiple collaborative State Fair and Emerald Cup wins. Our work is never over.
Check out full post and NASC Cast here.
The Purple City Genetics' strains that are featured below are either great for beginners, finish early, or both.
Grow for Success: Strains for the Beginner Grower
Grow for Speed: Strains that Finish Early
CHeck out full blog post here.
We want to see your outdoor grows, we would love to see successful grows in harsh environments! Please include the strain, breeder name and state grown in! Images shared may be used for future NASC content!
Happy Monday Everyone! We are bringing our "NASC Asks" weekly questions to Reddit from our Patreon! Look out every Monday for a new question and comment below!
This week NASC Asks: What was the best freebie you have ever grown? Who was the breeder? What made it so special?
Happy Growing!
Ever wonder the difference between North Atlantic Seed’s BWL, Private Label and Commercial Cultivar lines? Beth is here to explain.
I swear, we didn’t make all of these “house” subcategories just to confuse you, but it is a bit confusing. For those of you who have been wondering, I’m here to set the record straight. Below, I will highlight how our team conceptualized each of the North Atlantic Seed “house” menus, and I will explain the meaningful differences of each.
The NASC BWL menu is the oldest menu that bears the North Atlantic Seed name. It predates both Private Label and Commercial Cultivars. Our vision with the BWL menu is to bring affordable, trusted seeds to our community that are sourced from farmers and breeders who we feel good about supporting. What does that mean? We are always working on making this menu better, whether that means growing these seeds ourselves, or carefully listening to your feedback. These genetics were bred by breeders you know and love, as well as by breeders you will never know but who deserve our support. The common denominator here is proven, trusted quality at a price point everyone can afford. We really try to load this menu with as many of the classics and high-demand strains as we can source
For more on what White Label means and where it comes from, check out this blog I wrote as a companion to this one: What are White Label Cannabis Seeds? Destigmatizing + Understanding White Label Seeds
NORTH ATLANTIC SEED PRIVATE LABEL:
The NASC Private Label line was created with a specific purpose in mind: We wanted to fill this demand we were seeing for high-end, craft genetics, but we wanted to do so as affordably as possible. There is something unsavory about paying $10,000 for a cut, or $500 for a pack of seeds. No judgement. I understand very well the amount of work, time, and money that goes into being a small-batch breeder, but is there a way to make these really innovative, cool genetics available to the seed-lovers who are on a budget? Does it have to be this elite thing? As it turns out, there is. As we explored this concept, we found that many of the breeders we work with had seed lots they were willing to part with at a reduced price if we were willing to buy them out in larger quantities. Everyone wins! And thus, NASC Private Label was born.
NASC Commercial Cultivars is the most recent house line that North Atlantic Seed has released, and it’s a line that we really took our time with. We needed to do our due diligence with these selections because it was very important that we get it really right on the first try. There is a lot of responsibility and trust that comes with telling a farmer that this is the seed they should plant acres of.
So, we started talking with farmers that had been breeding and making selections in-field alongside their commercial clients over the course of many years. We poured over the data, and we tested these genetics in-house because we wanted to see it with our own eyes. For all of these reasons, we feel incredibly confident in this tightly curated menu.
The genetics you will find in NASC’s Commercial Cultivars line have been carefully selected for their overall commercial crop viability. This includes outdoor resilience and resistances, early finishing times, complex terpene profiles, high performing test results, extract performance, overall bag appeal, overall plant and flower morphology, dependability and stability. These are genetics that you can trust, at a price point that is reasonable.
View the whole post here.
What is BWL Bulk/White Label?
BWL is an abbreviation that we use at North Atlantic Seed for Bulk/White Label, and it is how we source our own “house” seed menus: NASC BWL, Private Label, and Commercial Cultivars. White Label is a term that is commonly used among wholesalers, distributors and seedbanks within the cannabis seed industry and beyond, and all it really means is that the seeds were purchased from farmers under the pretense that we could sell them using our own brand and our own name: North Atlantic Seed Co.
Unfortunately, BWL has gotten quite the bad rep in forums and threads online, and that’s why we have always chosen to highlight “BWL” as transparently as we have: 1. We want growers to understand that we did not breed these seeds ourselves. Hopefully, this helps them make an educated decision about who they source their genetics from. 2. We want to destigmatize White Label seeds. Below, I am going to discuss why I think this topic is so important for every grower to understand.
Are BWL Seeds Bad?
Our perspective–as people who understand this industry quite well–is that BWL seeds can be just as great and just as terrible as any other seed. Shocking, right?
What matters is the intent and the breeding practices of the farmer who made the seeds. Like any industry, there are seed mills out there churning out millions of seeds a month purely for the profit; these businesses probably don’t have the grower’s best interests at heart. Conversely, there are craft operators that put a great deal of heart, care, time, and expertise into their breeds. Both types of farmer can supply BWL seeds, so sourcing is really what becomes important, and that is guided by our values as a business, and your values as a grower.
Agriculture and farming is an industry where it’s hard to make a good living nowadays. As farmers and breeders ourselves, we have lived this struggle, and we have no shame in supporting breeders who are creating and refining high-demand genetics for others to brand and sell.
There are many breeders in our community who are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about genetics, but they have no interest in all of the other things that come along with running a front-facing business: They don’t want to sit behind a computer all day, or work on marketing campaigns, or become beholdent to social media. They want to be in their gardens. And yet that is the business of seeds; more and more, that is what it takes. For these types of breeders and farmers, White Labeling seeds gives them an opportunity to make a living doing what they love without having to be a great business-person at the same time.
For this reason, we are not ashamed at all to source White Label genetics for our house brand, but in large part, that’s because we do our due diligence. We are intentional about the breeders we support and rely on in this way because we care about your experience as growers.
Where Does NASC Source BWL Seeds From?
At North Atlantic Seed, we are always trying to improve and refine the seed menus we are offering to our growers. And I’m not just saying that. We care so much about getting this right, and we recognize that this is what builds trust and integrity.
If you’ve been watching closely over the years, you might have noticed that the North Atlantic Seed BWL menu has undergone frequent changes. While we don’t have the ability to grow out every single strain ourselves, we try to grow out as many as we can, and we listen closely to what our customers are telling us about their experience with these seeds. We have turned our menus over many times, and we have tried the same strains from many different breeders. We are always whittling away, trying to make our BWL menu better. This is a process that will never stop because genetics will never stop evolving and getting better.
What we want you to know and hear is that NASC sources genetics from the breeders you already know and trust, as well as from other farmers who you might never know, but who deserve to have their genetics grown just as much as the next person. These are people who are doing good work and they are good people.
Ultimately, we understand that people are going to have opinions about breeders, genetics, White Label seeds, and virtually everything else. Have it. But we want to set the record straight as far as NASC’s relationship with White Label goes: A lot of the derogatory commentary we see tossed around online is so off the mark from the reality of the industry, and it gives people a bad taste about something that is very misunderstood. Yes, there are bad actors out there, but my hope is that our growing community is aware that there are a lot of good actors too, so let’s not stigmatize this category of seeds as a whole. That only serves to hurt the breeders and farmers who are doing hard work and trying to make an honest living just like you and I.
-Beth
View full post here.
Thank you to everyone that donated to this important cause! Together we have raised over $20,000! Let's continue to fight and protect home growing for years to come. Read more for the latest updates on Keep Seeds Legal!
I sincerely hope that you have all been keeping your chins up amidst the uncertainty that surrounds us right now, enjoying a beautiful spring (damn if that sun doesn’t feel so good), and gearing up for another growing season ahead.
For the last several months, we've been quieter with you than usual, and we feel that it’s due time for an explanation.
Behind the scenes, we've been working on something we believe will shape the future of the American seed industry: the launch of the American Seed Innovation & Growth Alliance (ASIGA) – www.asiga.org.
ASIGA is a coalition we’ve built to challenge the legislative changes scheduled to take effect in November 2026. We deliberately chose not to ring alarm bells in your inbox until we had something real to show you. Now we do.
What this fight is — and what it isn't:
We want to be clear up front about how ASIGA is positioned, because framing matters so much in Washington.
ASIGA's political case rests on three pillars: Innovation, genetic diversity, and American leadership in plant science and breeding. The legislation moving toward November 2026 threatens all three. It risks narrowing the genetic pool that U.S. breeders can legally work with, slowing the pace of innovation that has put American breeders and banks at the front of a global industry, and ceding ground to overseas competitors who will happily fill the gap.
This coalition is a big tent, fighting for an agenda that affects every arm of the US hemp industry: Industrial hemp, seed banks, plant scientists, breeders, and home-growers alike. The case we are making on the Hill is about protecting an American industry, American jobs, and American scientific leadership. That's the case that wins votes, and that's the case ASIGA is built around. We feel optimistic that we have a winning and compelling position if we maintain a narrow focus: Preserving access to seeds, a non-intoxicating agricultural input that is at the heart of a multibillion dollar industry.
What we've been doing:
For months, we've been meeting at the highest levels in Washington — quietly, persistently, and with a team built specifically for this fight. ASIGA's lobbying and communications group brings together experienced hemp policy advocates, former USDA officials, and seasoned operators who know how the Hill actually works. Alongside a number of other independent businesses, and industry organizations, we're funding this effort monthly — structured for the long haul, not a one-off campaign. We need a voice in DC representing seeds, an often-overlooked, but foundational part of the industry.
The work is unglamorous: briefings, redrafts, relationship-building, education, and the slow grind of getting the right facts in front of the right people. It's also the only thing that moves the needle on legislation of this scale.
What's at Stake:
If the November 12 law takes effect this fall, it will restrict access to essential genetic material, undermine breeding innovation and new cultivar development, damage legitimate operators, and push activity underground to the black market.
Criminalizing hemp seeds will reduce consumer and patient safety, destroy small businesses and jobs across the supply chain, inhibit access to the medicine that works for you, stifle critical research and development, and hand global leadership in hemp and cannabis genetics to Europe, Latin America, and emerging Asian markets.
The United States has the science, the agricultural infrastructure, and the entrepreneurial base to lead this industry for the next decade if our leaders cultivate a safe environment to do so. This law would foreclose that future before it begins.
Where you come in:
We held back from asking until we had earned it. We now have an active coalition, a strong team, and meetings happening that simply wouldn't have happened six months ago. To carry this through to November 2026, we need our customer base with us.
This community has shown incredible generosity already in donating to the Keep Seeds Legal campaign that we’ve run on the NASC website over the past two months. We’ve raised over $14,000 dollars for this cause already thanks to each and every one of you who donated. We plan to continue this campaign until this fight is resolved.
There are two other things you can do right now:
1. Contribute to the GoFundMe. Every dollar goes directly into ASIGA's lobbying, legal, and communications work. We chose the GoFundMe infrastructure specifically so that donors receive ongoing, transparent updates on where the money is going and what it's accomplishing. In addition, 100% of funds donated at checkout to NASC’s Keep Seeds Legal campaign will go directly to this fight as well.
→ https://www.gofundme.com/f/protect-us-innovation-genetics-and-leadership
2. Watch for the white paper. We're finalizing a detailed white paper that lays out the specific legislative threats, the policy alternatives ASIGA is advancing, and what each scenario means for the American seed industry.
One last thing…
We're sorry we haven't brought you in sooner. The honest answer is that we wanted to wait until we had something concrete; something worth standing behind. We do now — and we'd rather have you with us than reading about it after the fact.
Thank you for being part of this community and fighting the good fight alongside us. We know you all care about this issue as much as we do. We'll be in touch again soon, and far more often.
With Gratitude,
Beth + the entire North Atlantic Seed + Dirty Bird Genetics Family
https://www.northatlanticseed.com/about/outreach/
https://www.northatlanticseed.com/product-category/seeds/keep-seeds-legal-limited-series/
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