How To Identify A Female Seed? Marijuana Seeds Explained

As states continue to legalize recreational and medicinal marijuana, more people are becoming interested in growing their own cannabis plants. Before starting, many considerations must be made, such as whether to grow and harvest indoors or outdoors or what soil and hydroponics system to use. However, female seeds are always necessary for an effective yield.

Distinguishing between male and female seeds is important, but it can be tricky for untrained growers. Cannabis growers need female seeds because they produce the traditional buds (also known as flower) found in dispensaries, whereas male seeds do not. 

If you’re interested in growing and sexing your seeds, this guide provides tips for identifying viable female seeds and turning an idea into a harvest.

What’s The Reasoning Behind Identifying Male or Female Cannabis Seeds?

So, why do we need to identify female from male seeds? It all comes down to the final harvest. Unlike male plants, female cannabis plants produce buds that are rich in cannabinoids and have a much higher THC yield than male plants.

Female seeds lead to plants that offer diverse terpene profiles, cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBG, and more, and phytonutrients. The buds of these female plants—which males have not pollinated—will be seedless or have minimal seeds. The plant will also be able to produce bigger and more potent buds.

Male seeds are not widely used in the sense of creating consumable cannabis, so manufacturers often utilize the fiber of these plants to make clothes, towels, and more.

How To Tell Female and Male Cannabis Seeds Apart

Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to know if a cannabis seed will produce a male, female, or hermaphrodite plant right away. However, through cannabis seed retailers, you can find what are known as feminized seeds from growers. Reputable stores will breed seeds to eliminate male chromosomes and produce only female plants.

Female strains typically reveal their gender around the 4-week mark before entering the flowering stage. The first signs of their sex appear as light, hair-like pistils emerging from the stem. These pistils signify the onset of the pre-flowering stage and serve as a solid indicator of if you have a female plant on your hands. 

Male plants show their gender quite early on and can be identified by sacs filled with pollen tucked within the stems, a clear sign that the male plant should be removed quickly to prevent pollination of any nearby female plants.

Types Of Female Cannabis Seeds

Knowing the differences between types of seeds is crucial for a good grow, as choosing between feminized or auto-flowering seeds can significantly impact your cultivation experience.

Feminized cannabis seeds provide a predictable growing experience. They have a 99% chance of producing female plants and eliminate the need to worry about males, creating a more precise cultivation plan.

Autoflowering cannabis seeds are created by crossing ruderalis strains. They offer a unique advantage since they enter the flowering stage from birth. As they mature, though, they may yield less compared to femininized seeds.

Each type of seed gives particular benefits and considerations, so exploring these choices is a must for establishing your cultivation goals.

Are Feminized Cannabis Seeds Always Female?

Almost always, yes. Femininized cannabis seeds are usually female as they are created by administrating a mineral solution to a female plant. This causes suppression and further development of male hormones, and the result is that these feminized seeds will become female plants. 

However, during the flowering stage, the female offspring may transition into a male or even a hermaphrodite due to onset stress. Inducing stress on a plant is one method used to create feminized seeds intentionally. By placing the female cannabis plant in stressful conditions, it can be coerced into adopting a hermaphroditic state and producing seeds.

The combination of hormones and environmental conditions affects each seed’s lifespan, making them a marvel of nature’s design.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the difference between male and female seeds is the first step to starting a successful harvest. By identifying the early signs of gender in cannabis seeds, growers can ensure that they are cultivating female plants for optimal yields.

While feminized cannabis seeds are predominantly female due to intentional breeding methods, environmental factors and stress during the flowering stage can sometimes lead to unexpected transitions to male or hermaphroditic plants. 

This intricate combination of genetics, hormones, and environmental influences shows off the complexity of cannabis cultivation. If it seems overwhelming, don’t panic! As you continue your growing journey, you’ll begin to notice the signs and signals sent by the plants with ease, and your harvests will only improve with time. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tell if a cannabis seed is female?

Until the seed reaches the pre-flowering stage, there is no concrete way to determine the potential gender of a cannabis plant.

Can a female cannabis plant produce seeds on its own? 

No–female cannabis plants will only produce seeds if they have been fertilized by a male cannabis plant, which is not ideal for most growers and can impact the quality of your harvested buds.

Can I feminize seeds? 

There are three common methods for feminizing cannabis seeds. The first two involve spraying colloidal silver or gibberellic acid to alter the plant’s hormones. Alternative options include intentionally creating stress on the plants (known as rodelization) so they create pollen sacs as a survival tactic.

Will a male cannabis plant produce female seeds? 

No, since male plants do not produce seeds at all. Instead, male plants create the pollen to fertilize female plants, which then create seeds.