If you're growing medical marijuana, you need to know how to recognize a female from a male plant. Most growers prefer females because they are the only ones to produce the coveted buds that contain a large concentration of the active ingredient. Male plants have lower strength and THC content than females and are grown primarily for seed production.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Recognizing Male Plants
Step 1. The male plant has stronger stems and fewer leaves
If you compare two specimens of the same variety but of the opposite sex, you will notice that the male generally has thicker stems. This is because it reaches greater heights and must be able to support its own weight. It also has fewer leaves than a female plant.
Step 2. Check your plants regularly between June and September to distinguish sex
If you allow the males to pollinate the females, they will reduce the active ingredient potential of the crop. This is because, once fertilized, female plants focus their energy on seed production instead of THC, resulting in a rather poor yield. If you grow marijuana indoors, you have the ability to monitor your plants often, so it won't be difficult for you to carry out the checks described here.
- You must observe the plants every week to understand their sex, as even a single unidentified male can impair the yield.
- Generally, the specific characteristics of males are revealed between the seventh and tenth week of life (for indoor crops) or three weeks earlier than those of females (for plants grown outdoors).
Step 3. Check the joints of the stems for male flowers
You will notice small balls that develop directly on the stems, at the point where they branch from the main stem; these are the main sign that you are facing a male plant. They will become flowers that release pollen, so the buds need to be removed to ensure a good harvest.
- If you are looking to get plants to reproduce or want to make crosses, then you can leave these flowers undisturbed.
- Female plants also produce these buds, but they are covered in long translucent fuzz. If there are only one or two flowers on the plant, wait for them to develop further before deciding to cut them.
Step 4. Know that there are hermaphroditic specimens (with characteristics of both sexes) that must be treated as if they were male
Marijuana plants can develop both sex organs; if you notice male buds, you must cut them as you normally would with a plant of this sex. Even if they come from a hermaphrodite specimen, they are still capable of releasing pollen and spoiling the crop.
Generally, plants that are male and female at the same time are undesirable, as they can ruin a small crop if you are not alert enough
Step 5. Remove or discard male plants, unless you want to get seeds
Once you are satisfied that your plant is male, you need to get rid of it, otherwise it will compromise your projects. Do not pluck the buds by hand because if you miss any, you risk not getting a satisfying harvest. Although most growers shed male plants, some prefer to keep them for seed production. If you are of the latter opinion too, then take the male specimens to a separate room and be careful not to transfer pollen to the female plants by means of clothes or hands.
Method 2 of 2: Recognizing Female Plants
Step 1. Let the plants grow for at least six weeks before trying to figure out their sex
Both male and female marijuana plants are virtually identical in the first six weeks of life. They will only develop the sexual organs later and at this point you will be able to recognize the differences.
You can buy packs of "female" seeds, which generally guarantee 100% the development of female plants; however, some mistakes are always possible, so you have to monitor the crop regularly to make sure there are no "infiltrated" males
Step 2. An adult female plant has denser foliage than a male
If you are trying to distinguish mature plants, the simplest characteristic to observe is the quantity of leaves. Males have thicker and more robust stems but fewer leaves; the females, with the same variety, are shorter but thick, with many leaves especially in the apical area.
Step 3. Check the areas where the stems branch for balls of translucent fuzz
When the plants have grown sufficiently, the females begin to flower. In areas where the secondary stems branch off from the main one, drop-shaped pods covered with translucent hair develop and are called pistils. These formations are embedded in the bifurcation between the stems. Often you can also see buds that indicate the development of new branches and groups of leaves.
- Male plants have small buds (pollen sacs) that are free of fluff.
- Some plants may show both pollen sacs and pistils; in this case you are faced with a hermaphrodite specimen that must be treated like a male.
Step 4. Separate the females from all males, as only females produce buds
Females are also the only ones who can produce enough THC for medical use, but will not be able to do so if they are pollinated. The pistils are structured in such a way as to attract pollen and, if this happens, the female plant will direct all its energy and nutrients to the development of the seeds and not the buds rich in active ingredients. Only female plants can guarantee you the harvest you want, but only if they remain well separated from the male ones.
