Frequently Asked Questions

PLANT DNA SAMPLE COLLECTION
Plant DNA Testing
Test Results

PLANT DNA SAMPLE COLLECTION

How do I collect samples?
WE’VE MADE THE PROCESS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE. FIRST, ORDER YOUR DNA COLLECTION KITS TO GET STARTED. THEN, FOLLOW THE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH YOUR KITS (ALSO AVAILABLE TO VIEW/DOWNLOAD ON OUR WEBSITE) TO COLLECT A HIGH-QUALITY DNA SAMPLE AND AVOID CROSS-CONTAMINATION FROM OTHER SAMPLES.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL (805) 253-2384 OR EMAIL US VIA INFO@DELTALEAFLABS.COM FOR GUIDANCE. WE ARE HAPPY TO SETUP A VIDEO CALL IF NECESSARY.

How do I collect samples?
WE’VE MADE THE PROCESS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE. FIRST, ORDER YOUR DNA COLLECTION KITS TO GET STARTED. THEN, FOLLOW THE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH YOUR KITS (ALSO AVAILABLE TO VIEW/DOWNLOAD ON OUR WEBSITE) TO COLLECT A HIGH-QUALITY DNA SAMPLE AND AVOID CROSS-CONTAMINATION FROM OTHER SAMPLES.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL (805) 253-2384 OR EMAIL US VIA INFO@DELTALEAFLABS.COM FOR GUIDANCE. WE ARE HAPPY TO SETUP A VIDEO CALL IF NECESSARY.

Where is the Sample Collection Sheet?
WE’VE MADE THE PROCESS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE!

VISIT THE DIGITAL SAMPLE COLLECTION DOWNLOAD PAGE FOR STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LABEL YOUR PLANTS FOR TESTING!PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL (805) 253-2384 OR EMAIL US VIA INFO@DELTALEAFLABS.COM FOR GUIDANCE. WE ARE HAPPY TO SETUP A VIDEO CALL IF NECESSARY.

Why do I have to use cotyledon leaves?
TAKING SAMPLES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER GERMINATION SAVES THE MOST TIME AND RESOURCES WHEN IDENTIFYING MALE PLANTS.

WHEN THE MATERIAL USED FOR SAMPLE COLLECTION IS TAKEN FROM THE FIRST ROUND EMBRYONIC LEAVES (THE COTYLEDONS) OF IMMATURE SEEDLING STAGE PLANTS, CANNABIS DNA SAMPLES NO LONGER MEET THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF “VIABLE CANNABIS PLANT MATERIAL”, THEY DO NOT CONTAIN ANY REGULATED SUBSTANCES (E.G. CANNABINOIDS), WHICH MAKES THEM FULLY COMPLIANT WITH THE U.S. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT. THE COMBINATION OF THESE THREE FACTORS ENSURES WE ARE LEGALLY ALLOWED TO HANDLE YOUR SAMPLES IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL U.S. STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

*IF YOUR COTYLEDON LEAVES ARE WILTING OR HAVE ALREADY FALLEN OFF, PLEASE CALL US.

Can I save unused kits for future orders?
ABSOLUTELY! WE REMAIN FLEXIBLE SO THAT WE CAN ACCOMMODATE YOUR PRACTICES ALREADY IN PLACE. IT IS UP TO OUR CLIENTS TO DETERMINE WHEN THEY SHOULD TEST PLANTS AND HOW LARGE OF AN ORDER THEY WILL SUBMIT AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME.
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UNUSED DNA COLLECTION KITS CAN BE USED AT A FUTURE TIME BUT SHOULD BE STORED IN CLEAN, COOL AND DRY CONDITIONS. WE DO NOT OFFER REFUNDS FOR UNUSED KITS.
Can Delta Leaf come collect samples for me?
YES! WE UNDERSTAND THAT CULTIVATION CAN BE LABOR INTENSIVE PROCESS THEREFORE WE ARE HAPPY TO ASSIST WITH ORDERS LARGER THAN 250 SAMPLES (THE EXACT MINIMUM NUMBER OF SAMPLES WILL BE DETERMINED DEPENDING ON YOUR EXACT LOCATION). FOR AN ALL INCLUSIVE FEE OF ($1 PER SAMPLE WITHIN CALIFORNIA) OUR TEAM OF TRAINED SPECIALISTS WILL COME COLLECT DNA SAMPLES AT YOUR SITE. ALL INFORMATION IS KEPT STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

WE ALSO OFFER ON-SITE DEMONSTRATIONS AND COURIER SERVICES TO SOME REGIONS OF CALIFORNIA (PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO).

IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR DNA COLLECTION SERVICES PLEASE CONTACT INFO@DELTALEAFLABS.COM OR CALL (805) 253-2384.

Can I bring plants to your lab for testing?
NO. OUR LABORATORY WILL NOT ACCEPT PLANTS FOR TESTING. WE ACCEPT PLANT DNA SAMPLES ONLY. ALL SAMPLES MUST BE PREPARED AT YOUR FACILITY USING OUR COLLECTION KITS PRIOR TO SUBMISSION.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE TO PROPERLY COLLECT SAMPLES OR IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN OUR ON-SITE SAMPLE COLLECTION SERVICES, PLEASE CONTACT INFO@DELTALEAFLABS.COM OR CALL (805)-253-2384.

Are DNA samples legal to send in the mail?
YES. PLANT DNA SAMPLES DO NOT CONTAIN VIABLE PLANT MATERIAL AND ARE LEGAL TO SHIP BETWEEN AGRICULTURAL REGIONS WITHOUT REQUIRING PERMITS. DNA SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM CANNABIS COTYLEDONS USING OUR PROTOCOLS DO NOT CONTAIN ANY PLANT MATERIAL OR REGULATED SUBSTANCES (I.E. CANNABINOIDS) THAT COULD BE USED FOR CONSUMPTION, CULTIVATION OR RESALE.

​PROPERLY COLLECTED DNA SAMPLES DO NOT CONTAIN VIABLE PLANT MATERIAL, BUT CONSIST ONLY OF THE RESIDUE FROM LEAF CELLULAR FLUIDS WHICH BECOME EMBEDDED IN AN ABSORBENT PAPER.

Do you ship internationally?
YES! WE CAN SHIP ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, HOWEVER, PAYMENT MUST BE MADE FROM AN ACCOUNT ORIGINATING IN EITHER THE USA OR CANADA. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING TIMES VARY BY CARRIER AND DESTINATION. STANDARD INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING TYPICALLY TAKES 5-10 BUSINESS DAYS TO REACH YOUR COUNTRY AND THEN MUST CLEAR CUSTOMS (TIMELINE VARIES BY COUNTRY).

EXPEDITED SHIPPING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEE. PLEASE CONTACT US TO PLACE YOUR ORDER.

EACH COUNTRY HAS DIFFERENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS ABOUT BUYING PRODUCTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. BEFORE YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER, PLEASE BE SURE OF YOUR LOCAL CUSTOMS LAWS CONCERNING THE SHIPMENT. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW WHAT IS LEGAL IN YOUR COUNTRY AND WHAT IS NOT.

YOU, THE BUYER, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY VAT, TARIFF, DUTY, TAXES, HANDLING FEES, CUSTOMS CLEARANCE CHARGES, ETC. REQUIRED BY YOUR COUNTRY FOR IMPORTING CONSUMER GOODS. WE DO NOT COLLECT THIS BEFOREHAND, AND CANNOT GIVE YOU AN ESTIMATE OF THE COST – CHARGES VARY AROUND THE WORLD.

How do I submit my samples?

IF YOU ARE WITHIN CALIFORNIA WE MAY BE ABLE TO ARRANGE FOR SAMPLE COLLECTION OR PICKUP (CONTACT US). YOU CAN ALSO MAIL YOUR SAMPLES FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

SEND ORDERS TO:
KIT RETURNS
5662 CALLE REAL #243
GOLETA, CA. 93117

Plant DNA Testing

How do I collect samples?
WE’VE MADE THE PROCESS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE. FIRST, ORDER YOUR DNA COLLECTION KITS TO GET STARTED. THEN, FOLLOW THE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH YOUR KITS (ALSO AVAILABLE TO VIEW/DOWNLOAD ON OUR WEBSITE) TO COLLECT A HIGH-QUALITY DNA SAMPLE AND AVOID CROSS-CONTAMINATION FROM OTHER SAMPLES.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL (805) 253-2384 OR EMAIL US VIA INFO@DELTALEAFLABS.COM FOR GUIDANCE. WE ARE HAPPY TO SETUP A VIDEO CALL IF NECESSARY.

How do you test the sex/gender of a plant?
WE USE A PROCESS CALLED QUANTITATIVE PCR (QPCR), WHICH IS THE MOST SENSITIVE MODERN SCIENTIFIC METHOD AVAILABLE TO DETECT SPECIFIC PIECES OF DNA (E.G. THE Y-CHROMOSOME). DUE TO THE EXTREME HIGH SENSITIVITY OF QPCR, IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION DURING SAMPLE COLLECTION. WE ONLY OBTAIN A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE RESULT FOR WHETHER A SAMPLE IS MALE OR FEMALE. OUR TESTING PROCESS DOES NOT REVEAL THE UNDERLYING DNA SEQUENCE OF YOUR SAMPLES.

​OUR PROCESS WAS DEVELOPED USING RESEARCH FROM THE WORLD’S LEADING SCIENTISTS. A LIBRARY OF PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES DOCUMENTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANNABIS RESEARCH CAN BE FOUND AT HTTP://STRAIN.WORKS/

What type of plants can you test?
SEX/GENDER TESTING

  • HEMP, CANNABIS, NEPENTHES ANd papaya

FOR CANNABIS ONLY, YOU MUST COLLECT DNA FROM COTYLEDONS LEAVES. WHOLE PLANT MATERIAL (CELLS, OILS AND FIBERS) ARE NOT PERMITTED. ALL SAMPLES COLLECTED ACCORDING TO OUR INSTRUCTIONS DO NOT MEET THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF CANNABIS NOR CONTAIN ANY REGULATED MATERIALS (E.G. CANNABINOIDS). ​

POWDERY MILDEW AND/OR FUNGAL CONTAMINANT SCREENING

  • ANY PLANT SPECIES

 

PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFICATION

  • ​ANY PLANT SPECIES
How does spending money on DNA testing make growing more affordable?
HALF OF MANY DIOECIOUS PLANT SPECIES GROWN FROM SEED WILL BE MALE. WAITING MONTHS TO OBSERVE TRAITS THAT ARE WRITTEN IN THE PLANT’S DNA CAN BE LABOR INTENSIVE AND COSTLY.
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DNA TESTING DRASTICALLY REDUCES THE TIME TO IDENTIFY PLANT SEX FROM MONTHS TO DAYS. WE CAN START TESTING PLANTS 1-2 WEEKS OLD TO WEED OUT YOUR MALES. YOU’LL BE ABLE TO REMOVE YOUR MALES AND PLANT MORE FEMALES, HELPING TO PRODUCE A LARGER YIELD. ALONG THE WAY YOU’LL CONSERVE ABOUT 6-8 WEEKS OF PRECIOUS GROW SPACE, LABOR, WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND NUTRIENTS.
How much does plant DNA testing cost?
We can beat or match any competitors price and offer discounted rates for bulk orders. Please reach out to our sales team by calling (805) 253-2384, contacting us through our website, or by emailing info@deltaleaflabs.com.

Testing rates are based on order size and discounted at the pricing tiers shown below.

Testing rates:  When we receive your samples, we’ll send you a confirmation that we received your samples along with a link to pay for testing based on the number of samples you’ve submitted. 

SEX/GENDER

  • Under 100 tests: $10 each
  • 100-499 tests: $9 each
  • 500-999 tests: $8 each
  • Over 1000 tests: $7 each


CANNABONOID DOMINANCE SCREENING

  • Under 100 tests: $2O each
  • 100-499 tests: $18 each
  • 500-999 tests: $16 each
  • Over 1000 tests: $14 each


PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFICATION

  • Under 100 tests: $55 each
  • 100-499 tests: $50 each
  • 500-999 tests: $47.5 each
  • Over 1000 tests: $45 each


PLEASE CONTACT US FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT BULK PRICING: INFO@DELTALEAFLABS.COM OR CALL (805) 253-2384

Can sex/gender testing identify hermaphrodite plants?
THAT’S A GREAT QUESTION AND A PROBLEM THAT SO FAR, NO LAB HAS BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE. DESPITE THEIR PHYSICAL TRANSFORMATION, THE DNA OF A HERM DOES NOT CHANGE – HERMAPHRODITES ARE GENETICALLY FEMALE (TWO X CHROMOSOMES). HOWEVER, SOME VARIETIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO HAVE HIGHER INCIDENCES OF FEMALES SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPING MALE FLOWERS. FURTHER, SOME VARIETIES CAN BE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES SUCH AS HIGH TEMPERATURES, NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES AND LIGHTING, ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO INDUCE THE FORMATION OF HERMAPHRODITES. IT’S CRUCIAL TO KNOW THE STABILITY OF SEX PHENOTYPES IN YOUR VARIETY AND KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON YOUR FEMALES TO DETECT APPEARANCE OF HERMAPHRODITES.

THIS IS WHY IDENTIFYING HERMS THROUGH DNA TESTING IS STILL A CHALLENGE. THE BENEFIT OF DNA TESTING TO IDENTIFY AND WEED OUT TRUE MALES REMAINS EQUALLY IMPORTANT – THIS ALLOWS YOU TO POP MORE SEEDS ALLOWING YOU TO MAXIMIZE YOUR GROW SPACE IF YOU WANTED TO RAISE MORE FEMALES AND SET YOURSELF UP FOR A LARGER HARVEST. ​

Why would you ever need to repeat a test?
Our analysis method (qPCR) relies on an enzymatic detection process that can be sensitive to variations in the precise molecular content of each DNA sample. This can potentially lead to a failed reaction in which either a weak or undetectable result is produced. In cases where either one or both replicates of a sample fail in a given round of testing, we’ll put that sample through an entire second round of testing (two more replicate reactions) to ensure we acquire a consistent and confident result before making a final call on the genotype of a sample.
What is your return and refund policy?
Kits typically ship within 1-2 business days after placing your order. Results will be emailed as a PDF within 2-5 days after we receive your samples (for most orders).

We do not accept returns or refund requests for DNA collection kits after they have shipped. Please contact us if you would like to request replacement kits for any reason (qualifying circumstances may include damage during shipping, accidental damage/destruction while handling and incorrectly/poorly collected samples).

 

Payment for DNA testing services is non-refundable. We test all samples at least two times in separate batches to ensure accuracy of sample handling and processing. If your samples fail to give detectable results or may have been contaminated during collection we will happily issue credit toward future testing.

Test Results

How do I collect samples?
WE’VE MADE THE PROCESS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE. FIRST, ORDER YOUR DNA COLLECTION KITS TO GET STARTED. THEN, FOLLOW THE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH YOUR KITS (ALSO AVAILABLE TO VIEW/DOWNLOAD ON OUR WEBSITE) TO COLLECT A HIGH-QUALITY DNA SAMPLE AND AVOID CROSS-CONTAMINATION FROM OTHER SAMPLES.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL (805) 253-2384 OR EMAIL US VIA INFO@DELTALEAFLABS.COM FOR GUIDANCE. WE ARE HAPPY TO SETUP A VIDEO CALL IF NECESSARY.

When will I receive my results?
FOR MOST ORDERS (UNDER 1000 SAMPLES), RESULTS ARE TYPICALLY AVAILABLE 2-5 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER WE RECEIVE YOUR SAMPLES. SMALLER ORDERS HAVE FASTER TURNAROUND TIMES. PLEASE CALL US AT (805) 253-2384 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRACK THE STATUS OF YOUR ORDER.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF POTENTIAL DELAYS AS OUR LAB IS CLOSED ON WEEKENDS AND FEDERAL HOLIDAYS

How accurate is the testing?
OUR TRACK RECORD FOR CORRECTLY CONFIRMED RESULTS IS OVER 99.9%. THE TESTING PROCEDURE (QPCR) DOES NOT PRODUCE FALSE RESULTS, HOWEVER, RARE HUMAN ERRORS IN SAMPLE COLLECTION AND/OR PROCESSING CAN LEAD TO AN INCORRECT RESULT. TO CONTROL FOR THIS WE RUN EVERY SAMPLE AT LEAST TWICE TO ENSURE NO HUMAN ERROR OCCURS DURING TESTING. FOR WHATEVER REASON, IF YOU THINK THAT ONE OF OUR RESULTS WAS INCORRECT, PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE WILL RETEST YOUR SAMPLE FREE OF CHARGE (YOU CAN EVEN SUBMIT A NEW SAMPLE).

OUR PROCESS WAS DEVELOPED USING RESEARCH FROM THE WORLD’S LEADING SCIENTISTS. A LIBRARY OF PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES DOCUMENTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANNABIS RESEARCH CAN BE FOUND AT HTTP://STRAIN.WORKS/

Who will see my data?
WE RESPECT OUR CLIENTS’ RIGHTS TO PRIVACY AND WE NEVER SHARE CLIENT DATA OR PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH OUTSIDE PARTIES.

ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES SIGN A BLANKET CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT. RESULTS WILL ONLY BE SENT TO THE PRIMARY CONTACT OF A SUBMITTED ORDER (UNLESS INSTRUCTED OTHERWISE BY THE PRIMARY CONTACT).

​OUR TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY ARE AVAILABLE HERE ON OUR WEBSITE AT ALL TIMES. 

What happens to samples after they're done being processed?
ALL SAMPLES WILL BE DESTROYED APPROXIMATELY 14 DAYS AFTER PROCESSING UNLESS INSTRUCTED OTHERWISE BY THE PRIMARY CONTACT WHO PLACED THE ORDER.
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