Subscriptions - Maximum Yield Cannabis USA November/December 2020 | Page 65

Cannabis is a dioecious plant,
meaning there are both male
and female plants. The plants have
two pairs of gender chromosomes. Female
plants have two X chromosomes, and males
have XY chromosomes. And, just like humans,
there is a natural 50/50 split between the two.
Only, less like humans, marijuana plants can become
hermaphroditic, meaning one plant can have male
and female parts (a stamen and pistil).
As a grower, you’ll want to become familiar with the
traits in female versus male plants. The unique qualities
may be more or less desirable for your garden.
For example, females without seeds (sinsemilla) have
a higher THC level. When you plant the males next to
or near the females, they will begin pollination. When
pollination begins, the female plants can grow seeds
and lose potency. If you prevent pollination, you can
ensure a higher quality of buds.
Now, if your goal as a grower is to create new genetics,
you’ll need a male cannabis plant.
However, hermaphrodite plants aren’t healthy. If this
happens, it could be that your plant has too much stress.
When one of your plants becomes a hermaphrodite, check
for disease, damage, or deficiencies. Also, this could
be the result of a female plant being unintentionally
fertilized, resulting in a lower quality harvest.
Overall, it’s best to know the gender of your plant as
soon as possible. This way, you can get the results you
want by harvest.
Can Male and Female Seeds be Identified?
It’s impossible to tell the gender of your cannabis seeds.
Trust me, I wish we could tell the difference between
male and female seeds. There is a theory that during
germination, if the sprout comes from the top or bottom of
the seed, it’s female. Whereas, if the sprout comes from the
side of the seed, it’s a male. While this doesn’t have any
scientific data to back it up, growers using this method
report a high success rate. However, it’s best not to rely
on this method. Plant the seeds and wait to determine the
gender when it’s distinct.
How to Tell if Your Plant is Male or Female
Before Flowering
Examining your plants’ pre-flower formation is a reliable
way to maintain a top-notch garden. You’ll explore the nodes
on the plant in search of sacs or two bracts for females.
Of course, it’s recommended that you check multiple
nodes on several locations of the plant before you declare
its gender. Any stressors in your garden could give you a
hermaphrodite plant.
The more evident sign you have a hermaphrodite plant is
when it grows anthers. Sometimes called bananas due to
the curvature and yellow color; these anthers can pollinate
females without bursting.
So, unless you’re looking to grow seeds in your garden,
you’ll want to remove the males and hermaphrodite plants
as soon as possible.
“It’s up to you to decide which
plants and seeds will help you
reach your garden goals.”
Early Signs of a Male Plant
The most successful way to know the gender of your
plant before flowering is by using a small hand-held
microscope. This will help you identify the pollen sac
early in development.
Early Signs of a Female Plant
If you see little hairs on the node instead of pollen sacs, you
have a female plant. Instead of those small round balls,
you’ll see what are called “bracts.” The bracts will have
wispy little white hairs. These hairs are sometimes the only
way to tell the gender of your plant before flowering.
You may not be able to determine gender until the plants
are almost ready for pollination. But, if you wait too long,
it may become too late to grow sinsemilla bud.
What Do Expert Growers do to Identify the Gender?
Focus on the pre-flowers that develop on the main stem and
at the tips of branches. When you notice the calyx is raised,
it’s most likely male. Conversely, if the calyx isn’t raised, it’s
most likely female. It can be hard to notice the difference
in the beginning. If you’re a novice grower, be patient with
yourself — it’ll get easier over time.
Can Plants Switch Sexes?
In your research, you’ve probably learned hermaphrodite
plants can happen when a plant is too stressed. If you have
disease or damage in your garden, your males can develop
female qualities, and the females can develop male attributes.
How Do I Know if my Buds are Pollinated?
A clear indication that your female pistils have been
pollinated is when they dry up and turn an orangish-brown
color. If your pistils are still white, they may be okay.
Further, the female bracts become larger when she’s been
pollinated. You can always test the bract by taking a pair of
tweezers and opening one bract up. If a seed is inside the
bract, you have a pollinated plant.
How Do I Avoid the Hassle of Cannabis Pollination?
Lucky for you, you can buy femininized seeds! As long as
you get your seeds from a reputable dealer, you can virtually
guarantee you have a full female crop. But, it’s up to you
to decide which plants and seeds will help you reach your
garden goals. Will you have an army of female plants?
Or, are you going to cross-pollinate and create a new strain?
With a little patience and practice, you’ll be able to identify
and dispose of male plants before they have an opportunity to
pollinate your females. By following the points above, even if
you’re just starting out, you should be able to identify the sex
of your plants before it’s too late.
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