CULTA is once again making history in Maryland’s cannabis market with the launch of its first in-house genetics breeding project —the latest drop in their Connoisseur Collection. This limited-edition lineup showcases exclusive, small-batch strains that embody the quality and innovation CULTA is known for. By carefully selecting and breeding genetics from our extensive tissue culture library, our cultivation team has created unique hybrids with exceptional flavor and terpene profiles.
In this interview with Tom Moylan, CULTA’s Director of Cultivation, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration, process, and dedication that goes into creating these highly sought-after strains.
What inspired CULTA to begin in-house breeding?
We wanted to make something unique to CULTA and the Maryland market that embodied the high-quality cannabis CULTA is known for. With so many amazing genetics stored in our tissue culture lab, we had the opportunity to breed genetics we love from past and present to create new, unique hybrids with targeted flavors, growth characteristics, health traits, and cannabinoid profiles.
When CULTA was established, we started all our plants from seeds. So, it only made sense to start making our own genetics from the amazing keepers we’ve found from our seed hunts over the last 8 years.
Can you walk us through the key stages of the breeding process?
In our breeding project, we made all feminized seeds, so the first step was picking the females we wanted to “reverse” so we could create feminized pollen to pollinate our female receiver plants. We reversed 5 different genetics using a STS spray that causes the female plants to produce pollen sacks like a male plant. We carefully collected the pollen from each of the 5 genetic donor plants and applied each donor pollen to 10 other genetics from our library.
What challenges do you typically face during breeding and how does your team overcome them?
In breeding, you have to be okay with failure and persevering through those failures to achieve the goal you set for each cross. One of the biggest challenges in breeding is that the plants don’t always take to the pollen and create seeds. Sometimes your pollen turns out sterile and won’t produce any seeds. Sometimes your pollen will create just a few seeds and other times the pollen can create thousands of seeds from just a small plant. You’ll never know what you’re going to get until you do it.
How do you ensure genetic stability and consistency when developing a new strain?
We made all F1 hybrids and given F1 hybrids in most cases have very different parents, they are generally very stable given their genetic diversity. Having said that, there is always the chance for herms, so you have to be diligent about examining the plants daily and culling any plants that show signs of intersex traits.
How did the idea for the CULTA Connoisseur Collection (CCC) originate?
We wanted a way to showcase our newest and highest quality genetics in smaller, more exclusive batch sizes before they hit full production.
How often do you plan to drop new CCC strains?
There should be a fairly steady flow of new CCC strains, but people can expect about 2-3 new strains per quarter. This month is special though as we will be dropping 12 new strains from our CULTA breeding project.
What happens if a strain doesn’t graduate to a permanent production genetic?
If we don’t think a new genetic meets our standards to graduate to production, we won’t even send it to market. Every strain that reaches CCC needs to show true potential in the grow to make it into a white CCC jar.
How often will you do an in-house breeding project?
When breeding the right way, it takes a long time, sometimes years, but with our well laid out plan we will be breeding every year and strategically releasing new strains every few months as they graduate from their R&D testing.
Where can I buy CULTA Connoisseur Strains?
The Connoisseur Collection is your chance to experience CULTA’s most exclusive genetics before they hit full production. With only a limited number of jars available, these small-batch strains won’t last long. Visit one of CULTA’s dispensaries in Baltimore, Columbia, or Urbana, or check with select dispensary partners for availability. Don’t miss out—elevate your cannabis experience with the finest genetics CULTA has to offer.
