Cannabis, like humans, has two copies of every gene in their DNA (typically). 

Having a "higher level of genetic variation" means the two copies are different - like when someone has a blue and a brown copy of the eye color gene, and can pass either of those to their children. In the same way, if a person has two brown eye genes, they have a "lower level of genetic variation", and will only pass on brown eye genes.  

In plant breeding, with lots of work and thousands of pollinations, selections, and back crosses, you can gradually decrease the amount of genetic variation in a variety, meaning the plants begin to have the same two copies of the genes that control size, growth habit, yield, color, aroma, cannabinoid production, herm resistance, and any other traits that have been selected for. This results in plants that are more uniform, predictable, and easier to cultivate. 

When two "inbred" plants with low genetic variation are bred together, the seeds that are produced are called "F1" or "First Generation" hybrids. 

The sibling plants that grow from F1 seed are highly predictable and uniform, because they inherit the same, predictable genes from each inbred parent. 

The actual traits of the siblings can still vary from population to population, based on the environment they are grown in. Check our our article on variables that can be adjusted to achieve the full genetic potential of seeds for more info.

By contrast, most cloning is in lines with higher levels of genetic variation. Because cloning preserves the genome of the mother plant, clones have the same high level of genetic variation as the mother, but will be identical to each other.  

The Phylos Plant Sex Test and Genotype Test are no longer accepted for processing as of September 30, 2021. The Phylos Galaxy, full customer account access, sex test results, and genotype reports will all remain available through our website for the foreseeable future. We recommend printing and downloading your reports and taking screenshots (Windows, Mac, and Chromebook) of your constellations if you would like to retain visual representations of your variety in the Galaxy. Learn more about the discontinuation of the Phylos Plant Sex Test and Genotype Test.

If you have any questions, submit a ticket or call us at 503-206-6599 EXT 1.