Cannabis and hemp plants, like humans, have either male or female reproductive organs. It is very important to know the gender of their plants before harvest, depending on the grower’s goal. Though both male and female cannabis offer specific benefits, growing both together can cause cross-pollination and create seeds for the next crop. However, for cannabis growers who aim to produce buds of high quality, which are rich in cannabinoids, allowing male and female cannabis to grow alongside would be catastrophic.
This article explains why determining the gender of cannabis plants is crucial for a high yield.
What are the differences between male and female cannabis plants?
The female marijuana plants are the ones that produce strong high THC buds. Male marijuana plants will have minimal psychoactive effects, and we won’t derive much of a high when consumed.
Furthermore, male plants can pollute a crop of female plants by potentially pollinating them. A fertilized female plant spends its energy-producing seeds rather than growing the coveted THC buds and flowers.
Male plants can also crowd out female plants, occupying the space they need to grow to their full potential.
Therefore, experienced growers know that the crops can yield a high-yielding marijuana harvest by planting female seeds.
How to identify the gender of cannabis plants?
The gender of cannabis plants can be identified by looking at what grows between the nodes of the plants. Nodes are where the branches shoot out from the plant’s stem. Male cannabis plants will have pollen sacs used to spread seeds, while female plants develop a stigma. Stigmas receive the pollen that male plants disperse from pollen sacs. The gender of a plant can be determined by 4-6 weeks of the growth of the plants. It is ideal for determining the sex of the plant before the plant’s reproduction cycle gets kicked into motion.
How do male cannabis plants affect the crop?
The flowering period of male cannabis flower is around two to four weeks. During this phase, a single male flower can produce 350,000 pollen grains. Pollen is spread around and carried to female plants by the wind, and it can travel great distances in favorable conditions.
Female flower tissues usually have abundant cannabinoids, including prized THC and CBD. However, if a male cannabis plant pollinates them, the females produce seeds instead of valuable flowers.
By isolating the males, female cannabis plants can grow to great heights and provide prized, high-quality buds rich in cannabinoids.
Conclusion
Knowing the disparities between male and female cannabis is vital in getting a good yield of cannabis. To Buy Super Autoflower Seeds For Sale and other quality cannabis seeds, please click here.