Get Growing in 2026 article“ Seeds and Sex” in the April 2025 issue of The EVOLUTION Magazine for info on auto versus photoperiod plants.)
TRADITIONAL: Regular Seeds Get a pack of“ Regular, Regular”( regular, non-feminized) seeds. Germinate and grow the sprouts and veg them. Some will show their sex earlier than others, and some will have to be flipped into flower before they show their sex.( Again, see my article“ Seeds and Sex” in the April 2025 issue for sexing tips.)
You will then have male plants and choose your preferred pollination style— Natural or Precise collection. You will then be able to pair the male plants or pollen with your desired female plants. The result will be Regular seeds, a mix of male and female, just as nature intended for the survival of the plant species.
Stigma Hairs
Pollen Pods
Feminized Seeds
Producing what are known as“ Feminized” seeds has really gained traction in recent years. This is now the norm for most breeders, but is also considered“ not natural” by traditional growers because this is an induced process rather than naturally occurring. If you treat a female plant, several sprays and methods are available. Grow stores like Emerald Garden Grow Supply have some in stock. The female plant will produce male anatomy and release pollen. This plant is now used in place of a traditional male plant for breeding.
This is also what I was referring to earlier when I said,“ Pollen Producing Plants,” because it’ s not just males that can produce pollen.
The main reasons for the popularity growth of this practice are more predictable outcomes, both in sex and flavor profile. If you are producing babies from two known bud types, the outcome can be more predictable than when you utilize a male plant that has not and will never produce buds. Predictability in sex comes from the fact that you are making babies from two female plants, thus no male chromosomes are present to create male seeds.
That means that all those seeds should produce female plants, reducing the time and effort it takes to grow a plant only to find out that it is male! It’ s always a bummer to kill a plant you’ ve been caring for!
Before I conclude, I would like to cover two misconceptions regarding male and female plants.
Misconception 1: A female plant turns male based on proximity to males. 1. A male plant will not turn other female plants male. Not a thing, full stop.
2. A female plant, however, can naturally produce pollen pods.
● You must decide whether it is a full-on Hermaphrodite( see photo on top right) or just has a few pollen pod danglers.
● If it is a full-on Hermaphrodite: get rid of it— it can accidentally pollinate a harvest, and if breeding, it can stick in the genetics( in my experience).
If it is just a few Danglers— here’ s what to do and why.
This plant has both seed pods and stigma hairs. You must decide whether it is a full-on Hermaphrodite or just has a few pollen pod danglers.
● Just pluck them and monitor for more, usually around the base of the branches and on the tips of buds.
● Usually, a result of stress or self-preservation, and should pose no huge threat.
Misconception 2: Male plants produce seeds. 1. Male plants do not produce seeds. They produce and release pollen.
● Only female buds, when pollinated, will produce seeds.
Hopefully, you’ ve gained some general understanding of the plant’ s anatomy and making cannabis babies.
For more education, you can scan the QR code to watch a male plant grow!
Gerry Donovan, the owner of Emerald Garden Grow Supply, Raytown, MO, says,“ I am not a plant Biologist nor a Chemist. I do not have any formal cannabis plant education, as that was a non-existent thing before today’ s world. I do, however, have a passion for cannabis, which words fail to describe. I’ ve traveled throughout Europe, including Amsterdam, Spain, and Canada, where I not only ventured into the world of seeds and genetics but also continued my quest to learn as much as I could about Growing the Plant. I continue to expand my knowledge via grow seminars and cultivators’ conferences and, most importantly, through simple discussions with other growers. Over the last 22 years, I’ ve developed my own Grow Methodology through trial and error with love and passion. I hope to guide you on the pathway to enjoying the best cannabis you have ever consumed— your own homegrown!” Cannabis – Education – Wellness.
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