As someone who is new to growing marijuana, you may be wondering how to sex your plants. Sexing your plants is an important step in ensuring that you are growing the correct gender of plants, as only female plants produce buds that can be smoked or used to make edibles.
In this article, we will teach you how to sex your marijuana plants so that you can begin producing those valuable buds.
Difference Between Male and Female Plants
The first step in sexing your marijuana plants is to learn the difference between male and female plants. Male plants produce pollen, which is used to fertilize female plants. Female plants produce buds, which contain the THC that we all enjoy smoking.
So, how can you tell the difference between a male and a female plant? The easiest way is to look at the stalk and leaves. Male plants have thicker stalks than female plants of the same strain. The leaves of male plants are also fewer in number compared to female plants.
The most obvious way to tell if a plant is male or female is to look for the presence of male flowers on its stalks. The tiny balls that sprout on the stalk’s joints (where adjacent branches connect with the main stem) are the primary indicators of male plants. Female bulbs are slightly different in that they have long, translucent hair.
These male flowers produce pollen and the male plants must be removed from the garden or grow room to avoid pollination. However, if you want to collect seeds, you will need to let the male plant pollinate the female plant. Keep in mind that, as a result of this, your buds will have a lower THC concentration since the female plants will devote energy to creating seeds rather than producing THC.
When Do Male Plants Pollinate Females
It is important to remove the male plants before they pollinate the female plants. The males start to pollinate females when their flowers open and release pollen. This usually happens about halfway through the flowering stage, but it can vary depending on the strain.
The female plants will show signs of pollination by developing seed pods. These are small, round balls that appear on the branches and stalks of the plant. If you see these, it is too late to save your crop and you will need to start over with new plants.
How to Sex Marijuana Plants FAQ
How soon can you tell marijuana sex?
The earliest time you can tell the sex of a marijuana plant is when it produces preflowers, which usually happens around four weeks after the germination stage.
How can you tell a male plant from a female plant?
Female weed plants have thinner stalks and more leaves than male plants. They also have long, translucent hairs on their bulbs while the males do not.
How do I remove male plants?
Once you have determined that a plant is male, you will need to remove it from your grow room or garden. The best way to do this is to cut down the entire plant and dispose of it.
Closing on How to Sex Marijuana Plants
Now that you know how to sex your marijuana plants, it is important to remember to remove any male plants before they have a chance to pollinate the females. By following the tips in this article, you can ensure a successful harvest of buds with high THC concentrations.
