A Comprehensive Guide to Inducing Polyploidy and Pioneering Triploid Advances

Welcome to our guide where we delve into the fascinating process of inducing polyploidy in cannabis.

This guide is designed to equip you with the knowledge to transform a cannabis plant into a polyploid, enhancing its genetic makeup without the need for a laboratory setup.

Polyploidy increases a plant’s chromosome count, leading to larger, more robust plants and potentially greater yields, laying the groundwork for advanced triploid breeding.

In this guide, we will explore how the application of colchicine can initiate this transformation, discuss the ethical considerations of such genetic experimentation, and share insights from our own experiences bringing complex scientific concepts into the realm of everyday gardening.

This is the initial phase of breeding towards triploidy, which combines the enhanced traits of polyploids with additional genetic stability and vigor.

What We Are Doing?

We will apply the alkaloid colchicine to a cannabis plant to turn it polyploid.

This process is simple and doesn’t require a laboratory setup.

Making a plant polyploid is the first step towards developing a triploid plant.

Why Triploidy as a goal?

Developing triploid cannabis plants can offer significant advantages, including increased genetic stability and vigor.

These plants often exhibit reduced seed production, leading to more usable plant material and potentially higher concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes.

Understanding and mastering polyploidy is a gateway to achieving these superior traits.

How Colchicine Makes a Plant Polyploid?

Colchicine is a chemical used to alter the genetic structure of plants, allowing them to have more sets of chromosomes than usual.

Typically, cannabis plants have two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

When plant cells divide to grow or repair, they usually duplicate their chromosomes and then split them evenly into two new cells. This process is called mitosis.

Colchicine interferes with this process. When applied to a plant, colchicine prevents the chromosomes from separating during mitosis. Instead of splitting into two new cells, the duplicated chromosomes stay together in one cell. This causes the cell to have twice the number of chromosomes as normal.

Result cells with double the chromosomes can lead to the plant having features like larger leaves, bigger flowers, or bigger fruits. This is because there’s more genetic material working in the plant, which can change its appearance and how it functions.

Ethical Considerations

When undertaking any form of genetic experimentation, including inducing polyploidy in cannabis, it's crucial to approach the process with ethical responsibility.

It's important to clarify that inducing polyploidy with colchicine is not the same as creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

GMOs typically involve the introduction of foreign DNA into a plant. In contrast, inducing polyploidy simply increases the number of existing chromosomes within the plant.

This process does not add any external genetic material.

Purpose of Experimentation

This project is conducted purely for educational purposes. to learn more about plant genetics and the effects of polyploidy.

It is not intended for commercial production or sale without proper regulatory compliance.

Responsible Conduct

Ensure that all experiments are conducted in a safe environment using appropriate safety equipment.

Follow all local regulations regarding the cultivation and genetic experimentation with cannabis.

Be transparent about the methods and intentions of your experimentation, and consider the ecological and biological impacts of introducing polyploid plants into the environment, if applicable.

By adhering to these ethical guidelines, we ensure that our scientific exploration respects both the law and the broader implications for society and the environment.

Now let's start hacking!

Material's list

List of materials that we are going to use to hack the plants.

Make the Colchicine Solution

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing a Colchicine Solution

How to mutate from seedlings

The entire plant, from the roots to the leaves and eventual flowers, will exhibit the effects of the mutation

How to mutate from Apical Buds

Inducing mutations in the apical buds of a branch affects only the new growth from that bud.
This method allows specific branches to be targeted for mutation, which can be useful for experimental and selective breeding purposes

More nerdy info

Here @lahuertadeldiablo and @alien.farmers, we're not scientists, but passionate enthusiasts eager to explore the world of cannabis genetics.

This old video presents a project close to our hearts, our venture into inducing polyploidy in cannabis plants.

Please note, while we strive to share accurate information, our presentation might include some scientific inaccuracies. Our main goal is to make the concepts understandable and to share what we've learned with a community that's as curious as we are.

We're here to learn together and encourage an open exchange of ideas.

So, if you're into cannabis cultivation, genetic experiments, or just love to engage with innovative gardening projects, join us!

Let's explore the possibilities and learn from each other.

Remember, this is about sharing knowledge and growing together.

No expertise required, just a shared enthusiasm for cannabis exploration!