basically the answer to all your questions (except the plant sexing question) is Bud is great to smoke anywhere (except your mom's) and any time (literally). You can roll your joint in the morning and smoke it a week later if you'ed like, the thc is still there and its not going anywhere. The only disadvantage about breaking up, rolling and smoking your bud later is that weed has a tendency to to dry up real fast after its been let out of the baggie, so you wont get the same refreshing smoke session that you could of had if you'ed smoked it right away. Instead it'll feel rougher on u're throat when you take a hit. Even though it's bagged up, it is still gonna dry up within a week or so (this is why dealers never buy grass they can't slang right away). When you think u'red bud is too dry, simply add orange peels inside the baggie over night, and in the morning remove the peels and what you should have left is soft, cushy bud. Some people don't like to do this cuz it'll leave an orangy after taste, but hey, I'ed rather smoke fresh herbs that have an orangy after taste them then smoke dry'ed up nasty shit. I can't really help you too much with the plant question, all I know is that in the middle of the plant where it is supposed to start budding the males grow like flowery substance (not too positive on how it looks) and females should grow like a hairy substance. Sorry I can't tell u much besides that. I hope I helped and good luck with your herbs.
PS: Toss a little this way, haha.