Phenotype
A technical term from genetics and horticulture, phenotype more or less means “genetic expression.” Each cannabis strain has two parent plants: one male and one female. When the female is pollinated by the male and produces seeds, those seeds contain the genetic material of both parents and (much like animal breeding) the resulting plants have only that genetic material with which to work. Excusing genetic mutations, a hybrid of two stable strains would product three distinct phenotypes: phenotype A, which leans more towards the mother; phenotype B, which leans more towards the father; and phenotype C, which is a blend of the two. Growers will then select their favorite choices from the phenotypes displayed, choosing plants based on a variety of qualities including: appearance, aroma, taste, effect, flowering time and stature. Phenotype is often shortened to simply “pheno.”
