The Craft of Growing with Matthew Dent

Matthew Dent is an Aussie horticulture pro who’s been riding the wave of legal cannabis since 2017. He cut his teeth traveling with Dutch horticultural giant Royal Brinkman, soaking up knowledge across Holland and the U.S, while helping early Australian farms implement high-tech gear. By 2021, he was working with large cannabis greenhouse operations in Victoria. He then co-founded Wangara Cultivation Co. and partnered with Golden Days to bring two facilities online.

The Farm

Wangara is an indigenously led, Australian-owned, and Australian-grown cultivation facility focused on craft cultivation. We take pride in curating every aspect; environment, post-harvest, facility, and genetics, to get the absolute best out of each plant and deliver world-class, homegrown flower to Aussies.

These days, we’re laser-focused on genetics. The right genetics set the stage for flavour, potency, and consistency.

The Cut

A breeder cut is the closest possible representation of what the breeder envisioned. It’s the original plant they selected themselves, not just any phenotype from seeds.

For example with a strain like Mandarin Zkittlez, we sourced the exact Ethos Genetics breeder cut; the one chosen to embody that bright orange-candy-gas aroma and balanced effect Ethos is known for.

The Genetics

Genetics are the backbone of a well-rounded cannabis experience. Our team at Wangara views cannabis quality through a five-tier lens:

Bag Appeal: The immediate visual impact of the flower. It serves as the first indicator of the plant’s health, and of how well the plant was handled throughout its life cycle.

Bud Structure: The physical build of the flower. They select genetics that produce well-formed, substantial "nugs" rather than loose or airy growth. This density helps protect the flower’s internal qualities and ensures it remains resilient throughout the curing and packaging process.

Smell: The aroma. This is the most direct expression of a strain’s terpene profile. We prioritise genetics with distinct, high-impact scents that stay true to their lineage. For the Mandarin Zkittlez, this means a bright, unmistakable orange candy aroma. Our post-harvest curation is dedicated to preserving these aromatics so they are as prominent as possible the moment the product is opened.

Taste: The flavour profile. The best experience requires a clean, smooth translation from scent to palate. We look for a profile that is consistent. Whether it’s the sugary sweetness of a "Z" profile or a sharp, gassy undertone, the taste should be a true reflection of the plant's genetic heritage.

Effect: The functional experience. We grow for the Australian medical community, so consistency is the benchmark. We study the lineage of our breeders and their specific crosses to ensure the effects are reliable and balanced. We want patients to have a predictable experience every time they reach for a Wangara-grown flower. 

The Grow

The rise of the candy-sweet, citrusy, hint of gas “Z” terpene profile has shaped modern breeding. Mandarin Zkittlez, from Ethos Genetics, is a perfect example of this.

To nail Mandarin Zkittlez, we aligned harvest timing with the breeder’s specs, watching trichomes carefully, and pulling the crop right when ambering hit that sweet spot.

We gave the flower a three-week cure, using Grove Bag technology to maintain ideal humidity and doing regular burps to let the buds breathe.

By six months, most stored cannabis flower loses around 60% of its terpenes and nearly all of its esters and thiols. We’ve worked to narrow the supply chain so patients can experience this medicine fresh, delivering that full-spectrum aroma and effect straight to them.

The Collaboration

We’re extremely excited and proud to be collaborating with Astrid - it feels like a natural fit, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Please contact the Astrid team for more information.