To grow medical marijuana, you need to know the difference between the male and the female plant. Almost all cannabis growers prefer the female because she alone produces the bud, which has the medicinal properties; male plants have a lower THC concentration compared to females and are usually kept only to generate seeds.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Identifying Male Plants
Step 1. Note the size and thickness of the stem
Male plants generally have a thicker stem than the female in order to support the weight of their height, also greater than the female's; in addition, male plants produce fewer leaves.
Step 2. Observe them regularly between July and September to differentiate between the sexes
When male plants pollinate, they end up drastically reducing the female yield; this is because the females use energy to produce the seeds instead of THC when they are fertilized, which shrinks the crop. Checking is easier for those who have domestic plantations.
- Look at each plant to find out which is male and which is female; an infiltrated male will devastate your crop.
- Male flowers are most easily recognized between seven and ten days (if grown indoors) or three weeks (outdoors) before females.
Step 3. Look at the stem junction of the male plants
The balls that grow in these junctions are the main indications that it is a plant with a male flower. These flowers release pollen and should be removed if you want a better quality crop.
- Leave these pellets untouched if you are trying to grow new plants or reproduce them.
- Female flowers also have these bulbs, but with long, see-through hairs, so don't pull out just yet - wait longer if you've only seen one or two balls.
Step 4. Hermaphrodite plants also exist and should be treated like male flowers
We are talking about a plant that develops both sexes; if you see characteristics of male flowers in the plantation, you can pull out, as hermaphrodites also release pollen and fertilize females, damaging the crop.
Hermaphrodites are never desirable, they can ruin an entire crop if you're not careful
Step 5. Unless you want to produce seeds, get rid of the males
Once you've figured out which flowers are male, you'll need to remove them before they spoil your crop. Do not try to pull the balls by hand, the existence of few balls is enough to reduce your crop. Many growers throw these plants away, but some prefer to keep them for breeding; if that's what you want, do it in a room separate from the females and make sure that pollen doesn't transfer from one room to the other through your clothes, hands, etc.
Method 2 of 2: Identification of female plants
Step 1. Let the plants grow for six months before sexing
The male and female flowers of the marijuana plant are identical during the first six weeks. Differentiation will only be possible after they have developed the reproductive organs.
It is possible to buy feminized seeds; these generate almost 100% female flowers. Mistakes do happen from time to time, so pay attention to your plants anyway to ensure there are no males infiltrating
Step 2. Female flowers have thicker leaves than male ones
If you're trying to differentiate the sex of adult plants, one of the most basic clues is the number of leaves; male plants have a thicker stem and much fewer leaves, while females of the same type are shorter and leafy, especially near the top.
Step 3. Look for fine hairs on the joints of the stem with the leaf
Once fully developed, the female plant begins to flower. At the joints of the stem with the leaf, you will see tiny, transparent hairs called pistils (or lint), coming out of a kind of chalice, right at the junction of the stem, there are also new branches and smaller leaves growing.
- Male flowering plants have pollen bags but no fur.
- Remembering that marijuana plants can develop both pollen bags and pistils; they are the hermaphrodites and must be removed.
Step 4. Separate females from any and all males
Only plants with female flowers produce enough THC for medicinal use and only if they are not fertilized. Lint exists to attract pollen; when they meet, they create a seed and all of the female's energy and nutrients go to her instead of the THC-filled sprouts. Your female flowers should be the only ones in your crop, but this is only possible if they are separated from the males.