Growing cannabis Learn how to identify male and female cannabis plants for a successful harvest! #cannabis #growing #plants

26. 07. 2023

Identifying male and female cannabis plants is crucial for growers to effectively manage the growing process and achieve the desired results. Identifying the sex of cannabis plants allows growers to eliminate male plants and focus on female plants that have a higher potential for producing flowers with a higher cannabinoid content.

Biological difference

Cannabis, like many plants, has male and female individuals. These individuals can be distinguished by several key characteristics. Understanding these differences is essential for cannabis growers, as female cannabis plants have flowers that are targeted by growers for their high cannabinoid content. On the other hand, male cannabis plants produce pollen sacs that can fertilise female flowers, causing them to produce seeds instead of flowers.

Female Cannabis

Female cannabis plants are generally viewed as more important in the context of cannabis cultivation, especially for medicinal and recreational purposes. Female cannabis plants produce flowers that contain high levels of THC, CBD and other cannabinoids.

Female cannabis plants can be identified by their flower nodes. These nodes usually appear between the stems and branches and are made up of two small pistils. These pistils are often white or cherry red in colour.

Male Cannabis

Male cannabis plants play an important role in cannabisreproduction, but are less desirable to growers looking for high-cannabinoid flowers. Male cannabis plants produce pollen sacs that can fertilise female flowers. If fertilisation occurs, the female plants will start producing seeds instead of flowers.

Male cannabis plants can be identified by the small round pollen sacs that appear on the nodes of the plants. These pollen sacs appear before the pistils of the female plants appear.

Appearance of the plants

The appearance of cannabis plants is not only aesthetic but also of practical importance. In what way can external appearances provide information about the quality, effects and uses of this versatile plant?

Female Cannabis plants

Inflorescences: Female cannabis plants have distinctive inflorescences, also known as 'tops'. These inflorescences are often full, compact and dense, with many highly resinous glands. These glands produce cannabinoids and terpenes, which are responsible for the medicinal and aromatic properties of cannabis.
Stigma: Female cannabis plants also have distinctive stigmas, which are the parts of the flower that serve to trap pollen. The stigmas are usually small, bright white or orange and protrude from the inflorescence. They are part of the plant's pollination process.
Branching. The branches are often shorter and fuller, providing plenty of room for inflorescence formation.
Leaves. These leaves are often larger and may have a more robust appearance than the leaves of male plants.

Male cannabis leaves have a larger, more slender shape than the larger leaves of the male plants.

Inflorescence: Male cannabis plants exhibit inflorescences in the form of small flowers arranged in drooping panicles. These flowers are usually smaller and less den se than those of female plants. Male flowers often do not produce resinous glands to the same extent as female plants.
Stigma: Unlike female cannabis plants, males usually do not have a distinct stigma. Stigmas are the parts of the flower that serve to trap pollen. In males, these stigmas are usually smaller and less pronounced.
Branching: Male cannabis plants tend to have less branching and more upright branches compared to females. Male branches are often longer and less densely packed.
Leaves: The leaves of male cannabis plants tend to be narrower and have a less pronounced lobed structure compared to female plants. They may also be smaller and less robust.

Female use

The female cannabis plant is very valuable and has a wide range of uses. Here are some of the main ways female cannabis plants are used:

Medicinal products: The flowers of the female cannabis plant are rich in cannabinoids such as CBD, which has potential medicinal properties. The inflorescence is extracted into an extract or oil that is used in various medical products such as oils, tinctures, creams or capsules that can help with anxiety, pain, inflammation and other health problems.
Cannabis tea: thedried flowers of the female cannabis plant can be used to make an herbal tea. Cannabis tea has a reputation for being a soothing drink that helps to release tension, improve sleep, and provide gentle relaxation.
Cosmetics and skin care: extract from the flowers of the female cannabis plant is also used in cosmetic and skin care products. It is present in creams, ointments, lotions and other products that can help with moisturizing, soothing the skin and improving its appearance.
Food: Female hempseeds are rich in nutrients such as protein, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. The seeds are eaten raw, roasted or made into hemp oils, milk or protein powders. They are also included in many food products such as energy bars, muesli or baked goods.
Textile industry: Female hemp fibres are used to make clothing, canvas, rope and other textile products. Known for its strength and durability, hemp fibre has an environmental advantage as it does not require as many pesticides or artificial fertilisers to grow as other textile crops.

Use of the male

The male cannabis plant has less widespread use than the female, but it still has a role in the production process and some specific applications:

Pollination: male cannabis plants play a key role in the pollination of female plants. Their pollen is essential for fertilizing the female flowers and producing seed material. This is particularly important for growers who want to produce seeds and breed new varieties of cannabis.
Breeding and genetics: Male cannabis plants are also used in the breeding process to create new varieties and hybrids of cannabis. Their genetic material is researched and used to improve specific plant characteristics such as cannabinoid content, aroma or pest resistance.
Research extract: Male cannabis pollen contains small amounts of cannabinoids and other chemical compounds. This pollen can be used for research purposes such as compositional analysis, studying the genetics of cannabis or developing new analytical methods.

How to identify male and female cannabis plants?