Three Oldest Marijuana Genetics

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The origins of cannabis are lost in the mists of history. Thousands of years ago, ancient civilisations already knew this versatile plant and used it for numerous purposes: from traditional medicine to nutrition through its nutritious seeds, to textile production from hemp fibres. The genetics of that era, however, differed markedly from those we know today, both in terms of aromatic complexity and cannabinoid profiles.

The modern development of cannabis genetics really begins in the 1970s, when a group of pioneering breeders succeeded in creating the first high-quality strain, called Skunk #1. This historic genetic came from crossing three legendary strains: Colombian Gold, Acapulco Gold and Afghani, and stood out for its yields, its distinctive aromatic profile and a THC content that reached 6% – considered revolutionary at the time.

The feminised seed revolution

Today feminised seeds represent the most sought-after category on the collector's market. These collector's seeds are the result of sophisticated genetic selection techniques that guarantee the production of female plants only, making it unnecessary to identify and remove male specimens during the early stages of development.

The birth of the first feminised seeds dates back to the 1990s, when visionary breeder Henk van Dalen began closely studying the behaviour of cannabis plants throughout their life cycle. His research showed that female plants, under stress conditions or towards the end of their natural cycle, have the innate ability to produce male flowers.

This phenomenon represents an evolutionary survival mechanism that allows the plant to ensure the continuation of the species even without male specimens. Making use of this biological trait, Henk carried out the first experiments by collecting pollen from these hermaphroditic flowers and using it to pollinate other female plants. The seeds produced by this innovative process germinated and yielded exclusively female plants – a historic moment in the development of cannabis genetics.

Historic feminised collector's genetics

Among the first stabilised feminised strains are several legendary genetics that shaped the industry's standards:

• Blueberry: An iconic genetic with indica dominance (80%) and a sativa share (20%), notable for its exceptional terpene profile reminiscent of wild berries. This collector's strain has a flowering time of 8-10 weeks and can reach THC concentrations of up to 19.5%. Its distinctive aroma and blueberry-like flavour profile have made it one of the most sought-after genetics among collectors.
• Atomical Haze: Represents the excellence of sativa-dominant genetics with an 80/20 ratio. This collector's strain stands out for its sweet-and-sour aromatic profile and remarkable yield potential. With a THC content of between 15-18%, the genetic is known for its energising, cerebral profile, typical of high-quality sativas.
• Shaman: A balanced genetic with sativa dominance (75%) and an indica share (25%), valued for its genetic stability and well-balanced cannabinoid profile. With a THC content of 13.7% and a flowering cycle of 8-9 weeks, it's a perfect example of refined genetic selection.

The innovation of autoflowering strains

Autoflowering seeds represent one of the most significant innovations in the history of cannabis genetic selection. Unlike traditional photoperiodic strains, which rely on changes in the light cycle to trigger flowering, autoflowering genetics have the intrinsic ability to transition from the vegetative to the reproductive phase on their own.

This unique trait traces back to the incorporation of genes from Cannabis Ruderalis, a subspecies originally from the northern regions of Europe and Asia, which developed this ability to adapt to the short summers of the northern latitudes.

The modern history of autoflowering strains begins with Lowryder, regarded as the first stabilised, commercially available autoflowering strain. This pioneering genetic was brought to the collector's market in 2002 by the well-known breeder Joint Doctor. Although the active-compound concentrations and aromatic profile were initially limited, Lowryder revolutionised the industry thanks to its ability to complete its entire life cycle regardless of light conditions.

Lowryder's genetic origins trace back to a skilful cross of Northern Lights, William's Wonder and Mexican Ruderalis, combining the potency of Afghan and North American strains with the autoflowering traits of wild Ruderalis.

The ongoing evolution of collector's genetics

The Dutch seed bank Sensi Seeds had already launched an ambitious research project back in the 1990s aimed at creating stabilised hybrids independent of photoperiodic cycles. These early hybridisation experiments laid the groundwork for the development of the modern autoflowering strains that shape the collector's market today.

The advancement of feminisation techniques has led to increasingly refined and reliable methods. Modern feminised collector's strains stand out for their high genetic stability, disease resistance and consistency in expressing desired traits. It's important to note, however, that these specialised genetics come with certain specific limitations, such as a lower suitability for keeping as mother plants for cloning, since they can show hermaphroditic tendencies under stress.

Today the European market for collector's seeds offers an extraordinary variety of genetics, from heirloom strains preserved in their original form to modern hybrids that combine the best traits of different genetic lines. Each strain represents a piece of botanical history, a genetic heritage that bears witness to centuries of co-evolution between humans and this extraordinary plant.

Genetic research keeps advancing, with breeders working not only to improve cannabinoid and terpene profiles, but also traits such as environmental resistance, genetic stability and offspring uniformity. These collector's seeds represent the culmination of decades of patient, scientific selection, preserving genetic biodiversity for future generations of enthusiasts and researchers.