Subcool Seeds: Notes From the Breeder

Subcool shares 3 tips for new growers, their favorite breeding project & a story!

BREEDER OF THE WEEK NASC JOURNAL FEATURE



BREEDER INTRO:

Subcool Seeds is dedicated to continuing Subcool’s legacy, bringing his legendary strains to a new generation of growers.


3 TIPS FOR NEW GROWERS:

1. Start Simple & Learn the Plant

New growers often try to do too much too fast. Pick a solid medium, a proven feeding plan, and give the plant time to show you what it needs. Healthy cannabis communicates clearly — leaf color, posture, and growth rate will tell you far more than any chart ever will.

“Strong roots and steady growth matter more than chasing perfection.”


2. Don’t Overlove Your Plants

Overwatering, overfeeding, and constant adjustments are some of the most common beginner mistakes. Cannabis prefers consistency. Let the medium dry properly between waterings, feed lightly, and avoid changing multiple variables at once.

“Less intervention usually leads to better results.”

3. Genetics Matter — Choose Wisely

Starting with quality genetics sets the foundation for success. Stable, well-worked lines are more forgiving, express better traits, and help new growers learn without unnecessary frustration. A great grow starts long before the seed ever hits the soil.

“Good genetics won’t fix every mistake, but they’ll forgive many of them.”


FAVORITE BREEDING PROJECT

That’s a tough one for us because the honest answer is we don’t really have a single favorite.

Right now, our focus is on preserving and continuing the iconic cultivars Subcool spent his career creating and championing. Each project carries its own history, personality, and purpose. Some are about flavor, some about structure, some about balance and some are simply about keeping something special from being lost to time.

At the same time, we’re thoughtfully bringing these genetics from 2012, into 2025, and beyond. Sub’s work was truly ahead of its time, so our goal isn’t to reinvent it; it’s to let it keep speaking in today’s market. That means carefully selecting for louder terpene expression, improved resin production, and extract-friendly traits, while maintaining the character, soul, and integrity that made these strains iconic in the first place.

If there’s a “favorite,” it’s the process itself: honoring the original work, selecting with intention, and ensuring these genetics remain available, true, and accessible for future growers. Every preservation project is a reminder that great genetics don’t just happen; they’re built, protected, and passed forward.

Sub always said the plants would tell you what mattered and we listen. Our favorite projects are the ones that protect his legacy: preserving the cultivars he believed in, refining them with care, and carrying them forward without losing what made them special.


BREEDER OUTRO: A STORY, TO CLOSE

It’s honestly impossible to narrow it down to one story. Some of our favorite moments weren’t about a single smoke sesh, but about the rooms we were lucky enough to be in. We’ve shared joints, laughs, and long conversations with some true legends of the plant; Subcool, Kyle Kushman, Mr. Soul, OG Raskal, Ross (one of the creators of GG4), and many others who helped shape modern cannabis. What stands out most isn’t just who was there, but the energy: growers swapping stories, debating terps, laughing about failures, and passing knowledge the same way it always has; one bowl at a time. Those moments remind us that cannabis has always been about community, curiosity, and respect for the plant and the people who came before us. That spirit is something we try to carry into our garden every single day.


MOST POPULAR NASC RECOMMENDATION CATEGORIES


AND AS ALWAYS, HAPPY GROWING!


Staff Picks from the Dirty Bird Genetics Grow Team

Get the insider scoop on some of the best genetics the Dirty Bird team has to offer, with staff growers offering insights on each of their top 3 strain picks (so far)!


Beth's Picks:

pine tree kush cannabis seeds by dirty bird genetics

(Grape Jelly* x Platinum Kush Breath Remix *Jelly Breath x Chocolate Pie)

I have an affinity for this plant. Ben says that when I look at it, I get this shit eating grin on my face, and I know he isn’t wrong. The buds are so dense. SO dense. She’s all calyx and they stack in this unique, knuckly way. She’s a bit of a stretcher with semi-long internodal spacing, but the gorgeous, boutique flowers she amasses are actually respectably sized unlike many of her ilk, and they’re some of the best quality flowers I’ve ever seen. To top it all off, her terpene profile is this striking mash up of pine, lemon pinesol and grape. It’s super complex and one of my favorite terp profiles ever. 

pine tree kush cannabis seeds by dirty bird genetics
pine tree kush cannabis seeds by dirty bird genetics

Sour Lime Haze x Skunch

The Roadside Haze was one of our first that I felt nailed that perfect trifecta of yield/morphology, quality, and terpene profile we are looking for when we breed. The quality and potency of this strain is incredible considering how well it yields and how vigorously it grows. She’s incredibly sturdy and an all-around powerhouse. 


Sour Moose:

Sour Lime Haze #5 x Moose & Lobsta #11 F1

It was so darn hard to choose a winning pheno out of this run. From veg on, this cultivar stood out in a serious way to the whole team. Her stalks were crazy thick, her leaves were super large, and her health and vigor was super striking. She was one of the most gorgeous powerhouses we’d ever tested. And that didn’t stop with veg. Every single one of her progeny were keepers in their own right, and her homogeneity was notable for an f1 cross. I think the potential in these genetics is off the charts and we are really excited to continuing breeding with this line. 


Siobhann's Picks:

Dam-a-lam* x Skunch *(Dolato x Chocolate Pie)

Beautiful plant. Super terpy and frosty. Extremely smooth smoke - mellow high. Easy to grow - great for low ceiling grows.

Cold Queso Tester by Dirty Bird Genetics
Cold Queso Tester by Dirty Bird Genetics

The Brunch “Lover’s Cut” x Dirty Mimosa

A Brunch and Dirty Mimosa mashup with terps that come out atrociously addictive. Moderate internodal spacing allows for good airflow without defoliating.

bad apple cannabis seeds by dirty bird genetics
bad apple cannabis seeds by dirty bird genetics
bad apple cannabis seeds by dirty bird genetics

Dirty Mimosa 'White Cap Cut' x Mimosa

Takes something great and makes it better. A powerful zippy sativa in 50 days, in half the space with twice the yield of a traditional sativa.


Sarah's Picks 

Dam-a-lam* x Skunch *(Dolato x Chocolate Pie)

... because of the crazy terps.

Sour Moose:

Sour Lime Haze #5 x Moose & Lobsta #11 F1

Incredibly easy, very little maintenance with great yields and awesome results. Will not disappoint any grower.


Dirty Bird Genetics > Mezzaluna Tester

Total Eclipse x Skunch

She may need some love and attention as she puts on weight, but man what a gorgeous plant. Really dark people with beautiful contrasting soft orange with hunts of pink in the fan leaves. She looks AND smells great.


Devin's Picks:

Thousand Oaks x Maui Wowie 2.0

Knockout power for the novice smoker. Unlimited power for the daily user. Incredible growth speed and overall strength. 

Watermelon Slush x The Brunch "Lover’s Cut"

Majestic looking when vegged out, and a colorful beauty in flower. Taste’s fruity and is a perfect hybrid to smoke early and often. 

Hawaiian Dream x Royal Blood x Family Secret


Ben's Picks:

sour lime haze cannabis genetics by dirty bird genetics

sex melon cannabis seeds by dirty bird genetics
sex melon cannabis seeds by dirty bird genetics
sex melon cannabis seeds by dirty bird genetics
sex melon cannabis seeds by dirty bird genetics


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Disclaimer: Cannabis seeds are sold as souvenirs, and collectibles only. They contain 0% THC. It is imperative that you check your state and local laws before attempting to purchase seeds, and we are not liable for what you do with seeds after receiving them. The statements on this website and its products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your doctor before use. North Atlantic Seed Company assumes no legal responsibility for your actions once the product is in your possession and is not liable for any resulting issues, legal or otherwise, that may arise.