Being able to know the sex of my seedlings way ahead of time allows me to reduce operating costs in my Veg Room by 50%. No more wasting resources like nutrients, electrical and labor costs on plants I won't put into flower.
JD
by Steep Hill
Identify Male Seedlings Without Interrupting the Vegetative Cycle
Identify male seedlings in four easy steps:
1.
Pull the tag out from the Sample Envelope, then tear it along the perforation to separate it.
2.
Attach the label by wrapping it around the base of the plant and threading it through the slit on the opposite end of the perforation.
Samples should only be collected after the second leaf has sprouted.
1.
With the coordinating sample envelope, squeeze the sides to open it and slide it onto the leaf as far as possible. Press firmly along the indication line to cut the leaf.
2.
Peel off adhesive strip and fold over opening to secure sample, and place it back in the Organizer.
Never use scissors or fingers to remove leaf from plant; this may cause cross-contamination and will hinder results.
1.
Place your completed Organizer into an envelope and send it to our lab located at 1005 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710.
1.
Visit the portal, and enter the sample ID located on the front of the GenKit box and click okay.
Results will be available on the portal between 3-5 days after we receive the Organizer.
1.
Pull the tag out from the Sample Envelope, then tear it along the perforation to separate it.
2.
Attach the label by wrapping it around the base of the plant and threading it through the slit on the opposite end of the perforation.
Samples should only be collected after the second leaf has sprouted.
1.
With the coordinating sample envelope, squeeze the sides to open it and slide it onto the leaf as far as possible. Press firmly along the indication line to cut the leaf.
2.
Peel off adhesive strip and fold over opening to secure sample, and place it back in the Organizer.
Never use scissors or fingers to remove leaf from plant; this may cause cross-contamination and will hinder results.
1.
Place your completed Organizer into an envelope and send it to our lab located at 1005 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710.
1.
Visit the portal, and enter the sample ID located on the front of the GenKit box and click okay.
Results will be available on the portal between 3-5 days after we receive the Organizer.
FAQ
What is GenKit?
GenKit is a DNA based diagnostic that allows growers to identify male plants without causing any damage or stress to the plant. Locate your male plants as early as the second leaf set, long before the plant has naturally shown its sex.
What are the benefits?
Give your female plants more time to grow. Longer grow: bigger plants. Bigger plants: bigger yields.
Cut down waste. Get rid of the plants you don't want.
Don't wait to find out. Stop male plants from creating holes in your garden. Be efficient with your space.
What is the science behind the GenKit?
GenKit is a diagnostic test based on identification of a DNA sequence. We have identified a sequence of DNA that is unique to the Y Chromosome (males). We test the samples we get for the presence or absence of that DNA sequence, by amplifying the region containing that sequence. The test is performed using our qPCR machine.
When will my order ship?
Orders will ship within 1-2 business days of being received.
How does it work?
It is a mail-in test but we have streamlined the process to make it efficient and user friendly. All of the testing packets are color and QR coded to ensure easy labeling and avoid cross contamination. Take a tissue sample as early as the second leafset using the non-contaminating envelope slicer and sealer provided in the kit. Once all 8 samples have been collected, the kit is ready for analysis.
The GenKit includes a pre-stamped and addressed envelope. Simply drop the loaded kit in any USPS mailbox. (See the user guide for more detailed instructions)
Does the GenKit identify hermaphroditic tendencies?
This test does NOT identify females that might have a tendency to hermaphrodite.
How long does the test take?
We advise a 3-5 business day turn around from when we receive the samples. Depending on our volume and the season, turn around time may be shorter or longer than anticipated.
How do I find my results?
Go to genkit.steephill.com to create an account, register your GenKits and view the status and results of all your samples.
How will I know my sample has been received?
You will be informed when your sample arrives. If you have an account and have registered your GenKit, you will receive an email notification. It will say "Received" along with the date your GenKit arrived at our lab.
Why do my results say reprepping test with only some of the results posted?
This means that the geneticist is retesting your sample to ensure accurate results. In order to make sure our results are valid, we like to double-check. As our founding scientist, Don Land says, “Remember, in science, once is never, twice is forever.”
Is telephone or web registration required?
Yes, register your GenKit online at genkit.steephill.com. You can now track your package when it is received by our lab and receive a notification when your results are ready. After creating an account, you can start adding your kits.
What is the potential for error?
We have a 99% accuracy. The qPCR machine does not make mistakes, but humans do. We have built in internal and external controls that make sure we didn’t make a mistake or the reaction didn’t fail for other reasons. If we get one of those flags, we retest your sample at our cost to get you your answer. Cross-contamination is the only possible way for a false positive. By false positive, we mean that a non-male tests as a male . It doesn’t take much to cross-contaminate since the test looks for a very small portion of DNA and if it finds it, it amplifies it millions of times. Genkit comes with 8 individual testing packets and an easy to follow user guide to ensure the sampling process is clean and effective.
Is the GenKit stealing my genetic information?
No, We are only performing this test to identify male plants. For us to do any meaningful sequencing, we would need a lot more of your plant than the small leaf you are sending. The reason we can detect this sequence is because we amplify that particular region on the order of millions of times. To do that for the whole genome, we’d need a lot more than a leaf.
What is your return policy?
GenKits can be returned within 30 days if unopened and in the original packaging. You can view our entire Return Policy.
CBD Marker Test
Any leaf sample provided to Steep Hill using our GenKit can also be examined for “CBD-Rich” genetic markers! Using the same leaf sample submitted via GenKit, our technicians can identify whether or not your seedling contains the genetic indicators responsible for High-CBD production. If this is a test you’re interested in purchasing, please contact us directly to clarify which samples you would like tested.