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Male vs female plants — how do I tell the difference?
I'm growing regular seeds (not feminized) and I need to identify males before they pollinate my females. What do male plants look like? When can I tell?
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3 Comments
Grower2mo ago
You can identify sex around 4-6 weeks, or 1-2 weeks after switching to 12/12 for photoperiods:
**Female signs:** Small white hairs (pistils) emerging from nodes. They look like tiny white V-shapes.
**Male signs:** Small round balls (pollen sacs) hanging from nodes. They look like tiny grapes or ball clusters.
Check the nodes where branches meet the main stem. Use a magnifying glass if needed. Remove males IMMEDIATELY when spotted — one male can pollinate your entire garden.
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Expert Grower2mo ago
If you're ever unsure, take a cutting from the questionable plant, put it under 12/12 light for a week. It'll show sex while the mother plant stays in veg. Saves you from accidentally removing a female.
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Grower1mo ago
Pro tip: buy feminized seeds and you never have to worry about this. All plants will be female. RKS feminized genetics are very stable — I've never had a herm from their seeds.
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