Nightmare Cookies | Photos Ron Goldman via Stock Pot Images

While youve probably never encountered strains like Gorilla Grip or Nightmare Cookies, Goldman and a select group of other growers have been diligently laboring over trial gardens scanning them for anomalies and difficulties or possibly the next cannabis superstar like Northern Lights or Jack Herer.

I really like pushing the boundaries to get plants to reach their full genetic potential, he says.

Strain: Frozen Tangerines

A cannabis cultivator with overfour decades of experience, Goldmans initial farming experience began as a grower of greenhouse produce in the 1980s. More recently,his talents have been sought after by a number of marijuana seed breeders looking totest out new creations.

The same way that most manufacturers put their products through rigorous testing, says Goldman, cannabis seeds need to be tested toobefore theyre released to the world.

Because breeders are basically putting their reputations on the line every time they release a newly developed strain, testers like Goldman are absolutely essential to the process. The seed sellers that he consults for want to hear all the pros and cons of their new strains how they handle heat, synthetic versus organic fertilizers or small versus large habitats. They want a full picture of the plants inherent strengths, weaknesses and peculiarities to know whether its back to the drawing board or ready for consumer release.

Strain: Purple Frog

With every trial run, Goldman creates a detailed grow log from the time seeds germinate all the way through harvest. Being an avid photographer and a teacher of photography besides all of his very detailed scientific methodology is accompanied by close photo documentation week after week as the plants mature.

Ill document the structure of the plant and flowers. Looking at things like flower density and calyx to leaf ratio as well as yield and cannabinoid levels.

Some of Goldmans most recent work has been with Sin City Seeds, testing potential new releases such as Nightmare Cookies, a cross of White Nightmare and Platinum Girl Scout Cookies. He says its not only a beautiful plant with rich colors but at 26 percent THC, it packs a potent punch.

Strain: West Seattle

With Washington state now allowing medical and recreational cultivation, says Goldman, I can legally put together my passion for photography with my passion for growing.

The following photos were all taken from Goldmans medical cannabis test gardens and are strains we hope the public will soon have a chance to sample.

Originally published in Issue 18 of Cannabis Now. LEARN MORE

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