Males vs. Females
Unlike many types of plants, cannabis is a dioecious plant. What that means, is if you don’t have a male plant around, your female plants will only produce buds and no seeds.
Now, this isn’t the case will all marijuana plants. Some female plants can turn hermaphrodite, by either bad genetics(sometimes caused by the feminized seed process), light leaks, or by rodelization(female plant seeds itself, when nearing the end of its life). Thankfully for new growers, it is pretty darn easy to tell the difference between a male and female plant.
Male Cannabis Plants
Males, have pollen sacks. The pollen sacks are on short stems and usually in bunches of several sacks in a group. Male pollen is very viable and will seed your female plants with ease. Even before they have opened, pollen sacks can drop some pollen, so it its best to get them away from your ladies at the very first sign of a male plant. When opened, pollen sacks look like opened flowers or peeled bananas.
Female Cannabis Plants
Females, have pistils growing from bud sites. For early identification, pistils or hairs will also show up around the calyxes(the small pods that will encase the seeds, as they mature). Calyxes are filled with resin at harvest, when they were not provided the chance to be seeded by a male or hermied plant.
The Dreaded Hermie
Hermaphrodites, have both male and female genetics. This means that they can produce both buds, as well as pollen sacks. It can and most likely will seed itself, as well as any neighboring female plants. If you have a hermied plant indoors, it is best to dispose of the plant. Otherwise, some pollen may be left over and could seed your future grows. Do not use seeds that grew due to hermaphrodites. There is a very good chance, the plant that grows from that seed, will hermie as well.
So, there is our quick tutorial on how to tell the difference between male and female cannabis plants. This method also works with many hemp varieties. Although some hemp is considered monoecious, meaning it does have both male and female parts naturally. They will seed themselves, but are not considered hermaphrodites, because they didn’t develop the trait to seed themselves, by any of the above mentioned hermaphrodite causes.
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to contact us or check out our pricing page. We offer an array of services, from virtual consultations to harvesting assistance, and even how to make feminized seeds! At Vermont Grow Coaching LLC, service is our commitment and plants are our business.
Vermont Grow Coaching LLC
(802)342-5381
Pittsford, VT 05763
Service@VermontGrowCoach.com
Disclaimer: Please note that this article is the opinion of Vermont Grow Coaching LLC and should only be viewed as such. Vermont Grow Coaching LLC takes no responsibility for any damages, or legal concerns regarding the cloning or cultivation of Cannabis or the use of information in this article. The responsibility to ensure operation within governing law, is placed solely on the person or entity that chooses to cultivate Cannabis. Be smart and remember to keep it legal with your local and state governments.
