The Hunting Grounds: Wrapping up our 2026 outdoor phenohunts, stabilizing IBLs, and field-testing the Hindsight F2.
We’re currently rounding up the last of the clone-gathering phase of our 2026 phenohunts. This year, we are strictly focused on narrowing in on tried-and-true, field-worthy cannabis genetics that are already at upper-tier filial generations (F3-F5). The ultimate goal? Working these lines down to true-breeding, fully stabilized Inbred Lines (IBL).
We’ve proven time and time again that these stabilized IBLs are the absolute workhorses of our cannabis breeding program. And honestly, there is no better place to hunt for winning, stress-resistant phenotypes than a massive outdoor field in the Midwest. Out here, every insect, pathogen, pest, and bad weather event is actively trying to take the crop down. If a plant thrives in this environment, it's bulletproof.
In the Field: The Hindsight F2
(Pictured is the Hindsight F2 that we are currently hunting to make F3s)
Hunting Hindsight at this scale has been incredible. We’ve observed three distinct genetic patterns in this F2 generation:
• A green stem phenotype.
• A purple stem phenotype.
• A variegation pattern appearing on about 6% of the plants.
Interestingly, all of the variegated plants appear on the green phenos. At this point, we are leaning heavily toward the purple-stemmed pheno as the overall winner. However, we still collected about 30% of our clones from the green phenos—just in case the final product turns out to be superior in the dry room or the wash.
So far, the Hindsight F2 has proven to be an exceptionally field-worthy variety. It is a massive biomass producer, and structurally, the stalks are sturdy enough to hold up heavy colas without the need for a trellis net. That is a massive win for commercial outdoor farmers.
Why We Hunt at Scale:
Hunting in these massive outdoor fields enables us to make numerical, data-driven observations that are literally impossible in small indoor pheno hunts. The sheer scale allows us to spot rare genetic anomalies and hunt down those true "unicorn" plants that check every single box for vigor, yield, and terpene profile.
It’s a massive undertaking. It involves visually observing thousands of plants, taking clones from hundreds of them, and then brutally refining those down to a small handful of elite keepers.
Because it takes 8 to 12 months to get the final results on these selections, our breeding projects only move forward every other year. We operate on a strict schedule of even-year projects and odd-year projects. Every once in a while, we find a phenotype so undeniably special that we “fast-track” it into an annual project, but the rigorous standard remains the same.
To the outdoor farmers putting in the sweat right now—hope your canopies are holding strong. We'll be dropping more updates from the field soon.