Cannabis Propagation

Sexing Plants - Is it a girl??

Once the plants have grown big enough to provide some rooted clones you can start initiating the flowering process to identify the sex of the plant. Male plants typically show themselves earlier with the females a little behind. The process should take no longer than 2 weeks.


Female flower 		Male Flower

Male flowers have five outer sepals which open to reveal the five inner anthers which house pollen.

There is only one way to learn this part of the art. Look at as many pictures as possible so that when you finally see a male plant for the first time you have a strong suspicion instead of the novice grower's typical response of having a misguided celebration party (or at least a bowl with some friends!).

The thing to remember is that there is no huge rush; if not sure today, let things evolve and eventually you'll figure it out. The worst thing that will happen is that you'll get a seeded crop; as long as you are able to eventually identify the females and the males and you can keep the corresponding female clones while tossing the male ones future harvests will be seedless.

Closed immature male flowers clusters before opening.

Over time the sepals open releasing the pollen into the air.

The second batch, and every one after that, will be from clone and, as such, will be all female. It may take growing out your females fully a couple of times during both seasons to decide whether they are keepers or not. When you find a winner make sure you always have clone that is in the vegetative state; often referred to as a "mother plant".