During the London Poundcake 75 seed drop, Serge had the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals. During this event, he began laying the foundation for a new project. Serge explained that while their partners in Maywood were focused on opening cannabis dispensaries, his team of growers wanted to concentrate on the breeding process. As a result, they decided to start their own venture to help with research and development while supporting Cookies Maywood.

 

Serge Damirjian inspecting cannabis grown indoors

In 2020, Serge launched Fiore, a project that began with an extensive indoor pheno-hunt in Adelanto, California. This pheno-hunt involved 14,500 seeds, which Serge considers one of the most significant indoor hunts he has ever undertaken. He continues to explain the importance of pheno-hunting, which involves meticulously searching for specific traits in cannabis cultivars that are then selectively bred to preserve the desired characteristics.

 

Serge explains that their selection consisted of a broad selection of contemporary and traditional varieties. Once these phenotypes were introduced to the public, the feedback they received was both valued and essential in refining their menu. He stresses the significance of a community-oriented approach, which he believes has led to the widespread appreciation of these strains within the industry.

 

Serge reveals that he is particularly fond of their strain Pomelo Anderson and recounts how they skilfully crossed Pomelo with Georgia Pie to create this highly sought-after hybrid known for its exceptional quality and potency. It is safe to say that Fiore has left an indelible mark on the market, and their influence is nothing short of remarkable.

 

Serge Cannabis

Along with Fiore, Serge founded Serge Cannabis, which is dedicated to developing the highest-quality genetics. He views this endeavour as the culmination of his life’s efforts and contributions to the cannabis community, fuelled by his unwavering passion for cannabis. He believes concentrating on smaller breeding projects empowers them to create something unique that growers genuinely appreciate. This unparalleled experience and commitment distinguishes them from others.

 

As an experienced grower and electrician, Serge emphasises the importance of being proactive in problem-solving. According to him, it is crucial to identify and address any issues before or as they arise. By highlighting the advancements in automation and the prevalence of sensors and cameras, Serge feels confident knowing he will be alerted in an emergency.

 

However, predicaments can still happen, and he describes an unfortunate event at the facility just weeks ago when the transformer failed, causing a power outage. He promptly emphasises that being well-prepared for such unexpected situations is crucial.

The launch of Serge Cannabis has been a source of motivation for everyone involved, boosting morale and garnering support from the global cannabis community. Their indoor facility in California is spread across an area of 4,450 square metres and consists of eight flower rooms, seven of which are equipped with HP double-ended 1000W lights. They also have a lead flowering room and a research and development department.

Furthermore, Serge has revealed that a brand new indoor facility covering an area of 1400 square metres is being constructed in Las Vegas. The facility will boast state-of-the-art LED lighting installed throughout the premises. Having already created some of the world’s most influential hybrids, Serge says the facility will prioritise cultivation, breeding, and discovering innovative opportunities to continue providing premium quality genetics to the cannabis community.

After conversing with Serge, it is evident that he and his breeding team are continuously exploring new frontiers in research and development, resulting in the creation of some truly captivating strains. Serge tells us it takes a lot of effort and perseverance to bring a new strain to market, and achieving stability and overcoming challenges is lengthy and tedious. The results are always worth it though, and he is proud that their work has dramatically impacted the cannabis community.

Like Ben Dronkers, Serge shares a profound appreciation for the plant and is dedicated to developing and preserving heritage genetics. When travelling to places like Amsterdam, Spain, or Lebanon, Serge tells us that he thoroughly enjoys conversing with many like-minded individuals who share this same enthusiasm for cannabis, which is precisely why we launched Breeding Grounds.

Sourcing genetics from Amsterdam

From a young age, Serge has been passionate about preserving genetics and vividly remembers his first trip to Amsterdam. He explains that he was initially only familiar with bag seeds but later started sourcing seeds from Amsterdam. He gathered genetics from reputable seedbanks, naming Sensi Seeds among them. According to Serge, Amsterdam has always been the go-to destination for acquiring seeds, and he considers the Netherlands a central hub for the global cannabis community.

During his visit to Amsterdam in early 2023, Serge had the privilege of being taken on a tour of the Sensi Seeds facilities, an experience that he found both fascinating and incredibly humbling. He emphasised sharing some of his genetics with the Sensi Seeds team, who graciously gifted him with some of their classic award-winning genetics. Since then, he’s been thoroughly exploring our treasure trove of genetics for the Breeding Grounds collaboration.

Acknowledging the collective dedication of Ben and his team towards cannabis has been genuinely inspiring. He particularly admires their contributions to curating cannabis artefacts for the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum and advancing the cannabis community with their groundbreaking genetics. Expressing his gratitude for the chance to collaborate with Ben Dronkers, a renowned cannabis icon and trailblazer, Serge is excited to share Breeding Grounds with the community.

He continues to explain his enthusiasm for combining iconic Sensi Seeds strains that have profoundly influenced  European cannabis culture with emerging American genetics. Given the rarity of Hazes in the American market due to their prolonged flowering period, Serge is dedicated to enhancing their commercial viability. His goal is to make these strains more accessible, allowing more cannabis connoisseurs to appreciate their distinctive characteristics.

Dedicated to maintaining the exceptional genetic standards established by Sensi Seeds, Serge thrives on exploring new possibilities while pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Looking ahead, he believes that if something as simple as rubbing the stem of Jamaican Pearl during its vegetation stage can produce such a complex terpene profile, then the potential of breeding Blackberry Gary with classic old-school strains like Haze, Jack Herer, or Jamaican Pearl is genuinely limitless.