A dioecious type of plant, marijuana is comprised of the female and male reproductive organs. Despite the similarity in terms of physical characteristics, the distinct genders of marijuana provide and serves them with a variety of functions in the process of breeding and usage. Gender, in terms of cultivation, is vital among growers. The basic requirement of being to spot the difference between male vs female marijuana plants is an essential skill to acquire.
Moreover, growers can identify which among the crops are capable of producing buds and which assist in pollination. Let us take a look at the common differences between male vs female marijuana plants and identity them in each aspect.
Spotting the Difference Between Male Vs Female Marijuana Plants
Regardless of being nearly similar physically, there are tremendous differences that distinguish the male marijuana plant from the female marijuana plant. Within four to eight weeks after being planted, the marijuana plants showcase their reproductive organs approximately during the pre-flowering phase.
Typically, you will see the reproductive organs of the marijuana plants at the space between the intersection of the branch and stalk. This space is what we call the internode. Although the accuracy of differentiating the sex of male vs female marijuana plants can be tricky at this point. You are not alone in this struggle. Wait for couple more weeks to get a more accurate determination.
Differences in Characteristics: Male Vs Female Marijuana Plants
Male Marijuana
The male marijuana plants serve as the provider of the pollens that help in making the reproduction possible. Also, they help in creating marijuana seeds when breeding and crossbreeding. Physically, compared to the female marijuana plant, the male counterpart has apparent thicker stalks and the leaves are fewer in amount. The stalk of the male plants is meant to be stronger because they grow taller compared to the female. Also, the appearance of the reproductive organ of a male marijuana plant will show earlier than the female.
Between male vs female marijuana plants, the male will eventually form pollen sacs with round-like shape and appear on the internode. As the right time comes, these pollen sacs will rupture and send off pollens into the air and under the process of pollination in the air. As these pollen land on a pistil of a female marijuana plant, the female will commence its production of seeds.
Additionally, male marijuana plants are determined through their flower production. Given that they are male, the number of flowers it produces is far lesser than the female. This is also a similar case to the THC level, wherein it favors less to the male.
Female Marijuana
Male vs female marijuana plants in terms of characteristics differ significantly. The females usually are distinguished by the bulbs it produced along with the translucent hairs, naturally found in between the nodes. Calyxes are pointed and green, with white pistils sprouting out. The height of a female plant usually measures shorter than the male and they have a slimmer proportion of stalks.
When growing, the male vs female marijuana plants differs in terms of growth direction. The female plants will thrive horizontally while male plants grow vertically. Female is likewise characterized by it broad and full leaves, and usually they are present more on the upper portion of the plant. The pistil is a distinct element of a female that only this gender has. They act as a catcher of pollen from the male plants and once they are successful, seed production will start.
Usually, female plants have higher chances of developing the hermaphrodite condition, wherein it will carry both genders of females and males. In terms of THC and CBD content, female marijuana has more amount of such compounds present in their genetics. Hence, many growers prefer female plants to grow due to the number of compounds it possesses.
Differences in Usage: Male Vs Female Marijuana Plants
Male Marijuana
Despite the lesser function of male marijuana plants in terms of growing, breeding, and other aspects, they are not entirely useless plants. Many growers have used male marijuana in numerous means.
Terpenoids
The terpenes of the male marijuana plants will act not only as a producer of aromatic elements but also serve as a natural insect repellent. The terpenes will infuse the soil and enrich its quality to fight against all types of insects.
Moreover, between male vs female marijuana plants, the male plant is the only gender that has taproots, a root that develops deeply onto the ground. They function to break the soil and provide a passage for the nutrients to enter. Once nutrients enter, the taproots will keep the soil intact to avoid loss of nutrients.
Hemp Fiber
In terms of hemp fiber, male vs female marijuana plants favors mostly the former since it can provide a much softer version of hemp fiber than its female counterpart. These fibers are utilized when making tablecloths, clothes, dresses, fabric for furniture, and many other fabrics in a household. The fiber from a male marijuana plant is easier and more manageable to clean.
Breeding
Between male vs female marijuana plants, it is the responsibility of the male that give off pollen to help in the fertilization of female marijuana plants. This is how seedlings are produced that are used in various breeding and crossbreeding.
If the quality of male marijuana is stable and ideal, the end-product will possess superior quality and highly resistant to common types of molds, pests, and infection. These characteristics are passed on to several generations, hence the role of male plants is a crucial inbreeding process.
Female Marijuana
Breeding
The only marijuana plant that can provide seeds and produce one is the female. They are fertilized by the pollen from male plants, thus allowing the process of fertilization to transpire. However, when the female plants are cultivated to produce THC, the male plants are eliminated immediately from the grow area to assist the female plants to concentrate further generating THC rather than seeds.
Smoking
Comparing male vs female marijuana plants, the latter possesses a higher amount of THC compound, which is the reason why growers prefer female plants to harvest when aiming to produce marijuana products. The female marijuana possesses a cola where the THC compounds are rich in the amount is located.
Marijuana Concentrates
Due to the high amount of CBD and THC compounds, between male vs female marijuana plants, the latter is more preferred to use when making hash oils, powders, CBD products, oil concentrates, and other marijuana products that provide better medical usage and recreational intentions.
Final Words
This guide will hopefully help anyone to further understand the differences between male vs female marijuana plants. This is very essential to distinguish each characteristic, especially when planning on cultivating marijuana and the road to coming to be a master of this field. Regardless of the goals and objectives, the capability of differentiating the male vs female marijuana plants can get in a long way.
