A phenotype refers to the observable traits of a cannabis plant that result from the interaction between its genetics and its environment.
WHAT ARE CANNABIS PHENOTYPES?
Even seeds from the same strain can grow into plants with different characteristics, such as height, leaf shape, aroma, yield, or flowering time. These variations are called phenotypes, often shortened to “phenos.”
Genetics set the potential, while environment influences how those traits are expressed.
HOW PHENOTYPES ARE USED
Growers and breeders use phenotypes to:
– Select standout plants during pheno hunts
– Identify desirable traits for breeding
– Compare consistency within a strain
– Clone exceptional plants for preservation
Phenotypes are commonly labeled with numbers (e.g., Pheno #1).
WHY IT MATTERS
Phenotypes matter because:
– Not all plants express traits equally
– Exceptional phenos can outperform the average
– Breeding relies on selecting the best expressions
– Consistency improves through selection and stabilization
Phenotype selection is key to refining genetics.
LIMITATIONS & NOTES
Environmental stress can exaggerate or suppress traits, making evaluation difficult. True genetic consistency often requires multiple generations of selection.