A male marijuana plant’s singular purpose in the cannabis life cycle is the production of pollen. Unlike the female plant, which is cultivated for its resinous, cannabinoid-rich flowers, the male develops small pollen sacs instead of buds. For most growers focused on harvesting smokable flower, the presence of a male plant is a significant threat to the entire crop. If pollen reaches a female plant, it triggers seed production, diverting the female’s energy away from cannabinoid development and reducing both the yield and potency of the final harvest.
Visual Identification of Male Plants
Identifying the sex of a cannabis plant is done by examining the pre-flowers, the first signs of reproductive organs that appear at the nodes. Male plants typically reveal their sex earlier than females, generally during the pre-flowering stage.
The male pre-flower is a small, smooth, spherical structure resembling a tiny ball. These sacs appear in clusters and are distinct because they have no protruding hairs. As they mature, they may become slightly elongated or spade-shaped, hanging away from the stem.
In contrast, a female pre-flower is distinguishable by the presence of one or two fine, wispy white hairs, called stigmas, which emerge from a calyx. The presence of these white hairs is the definitive indicator of a female plant.
Male plants often exhibit a lankier growth pattern, becoming taller with less foliage and greater spacing between the nodes compared to the bushier structure of a female. Growers should use a magnifying tool, like a jeweler’s loupe, to inspect the pre-flowers closely to confirm the absence or presence of the stigmas.
Immediate Action to Prevent Pollination
For any grower aiming for a seedless harvest, known as sinsemilla, the immediate and complete removal of a male plant is the only course of action upon positive identification. Pollination severely reduces the quality of the female crop by diverting energy to seed production instead of cannabinoid synthesis.
The danger posed by a male plant is magnified by the lightweight and pervasive nature of cannabis pollen, which can travel a significant distance on air currents. Even a single male sac opening can compromise an entire grow space. Growers must also be vigilant for hermaphrodite plants, which develop both male pollen sacs and female flowers, and should be removed immediately.
To remove a confirmed male plant safely, first mist it lightly with water to weigh down any loose pollen. Carefully place a plastic bag over the entire plant before cutting the stem at the base. The removed plant should be disposed of far away from any flowering females.
Intentional Use for Genetic Breeding
While most growers discard male plants, they are indispensable for those involved in genetic breeding and seed creation. The male plant contributes 50% of the genetic makeup to the resulting seeds, passing on valuable traits like disease resistance, vigor, stalk strength, and unique terpene profiles. Selecting a male based on its growth habit or general health is common practice among breeders looking to stabilize or enhance a strain.
For breeding purposes, the male plant is typically isolated from the female flowering area to prevent uncontrolled pollination. When the male’s pollen sacs mature, the pollen can be collected using a clean, dry method. One technique involves carefully cutting the branches with the sacs and letting them dry over a non-static surface, like parchment paper, for a day or two.
Once dried, gently shaking the branches over a fine mesh screen allows the pollen dust to separate from any plant material. The collected pollen must be kept dry, as moisture will cause it to rapidly lose viability.
Pollen Storage
For short-term use, the pollen can be stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator for a few weeks. For long-term preservation, it should be mixed with a desiccant, such as dry flour, and stored in a sealed container in a freezer, where it can remain viable for a year or more.
Utilizing Male Plant Biomass
Even after a male plant is culled from a grow, its physical material retains several uses beyond simple disposal. Male cannabis plants naturally produce softer, more pliable fibers in their stalks compared to females. This makes them desirable material for producing textiles, rope, or paper, similar to industrial hemp applications. The stalks can be processed using retting techniques to separate the fibers.
Although male plants do not produce dense, resinous flowers, their leaves, stems, and pollen sacs still contain lower levels of cannabinoids and terpenes. This material can be utilized to make mild concentrates, such as hash or oil, or processed into edibles like cannabutter. The fresh leaves can also be juiced for their nutritional content, providing unactivated cannabinoids like THCA and CBDA.
The male plant’s biomass is also beneficial for soil health and pest control. Placing male plant matter around a garden can help deter pests from other crops. The long taproots of the male plant are valuable when composted, as they break down to improve soil structure, aeration, and water penetration.