Timing of staminate flowering.

[senorx12562]

I've got some indica plants (4) grown from seed that I put into flower 5 days ago, and had some questions about determining sex. I don't know what strain they are, or even if they are all the same strain. The seeds were unidentified freebies I got with an order. I can tell they are indica or indica-dom by the leaves, but not much else. Two of them grew abt twice as tall as the other 2, but I don't know if they are a different strain, or if they are taller because they are male. The leaves are similar enough to make me think they are the same strain. I'l post pictures tonight after my lights come on, but my camera will not give useful pictures of the primordia forming now on the plants. Typically, how long under 12/12 lighting will it take for male flowers to be identifiable as such, and how long before pollen could drop? I've only grown from clones, so have never sexed a plant before. As these plants are in with my main grow which is 2-3 weeks from harvest, I'd rather take them all out than risk any chance of pollination. If my window is only hours at some point, I'll just tear 'em up now. I check my flowering plants at least twice a day, so if I can be assured if identification at least a day or 2 prior to any pollen being available, I'm ok. Thanx for any info you can provide.

senorx12562 Reviewed by senorx12562 on 12-29-2009. Timing of staminate flowering. I've got some indica plants (4) grown from seed that I put into flower 5 days ago, and had some questions about determining sex. I don't know what strain they are, or even if they are all the same strain. The seeds were unidentified freebies I got with an order. I can tell they are indica or indica-dom by the leaves, but not much else. Two of them grew abt twice as tall as the other 2, but I don't know if they are a different strain, or if they are taller because they are male. The leaves are Rating: 5

[copobo]

pollen sacks don't just pop out and release. Females usually show first.

For females, you'll see one or two white hairs, like you'd see in a bud at the junction of the stem and a branch near the top of the plant. If growing from seed, I believe it takes at least a month after sprouting to show. They have to hit a certain chronological age, 12/12 or not.

there is a good example here with a pic of male preflowers
What are preflowers? - 420 Magazine

[jakester]

I believe it's about 3 weeks before the male flowers open. I could be wrong. You will know that it's male before it's a danger to your other girls. Judging strain by leaf is not possible unless you have some crazy maple leaf varietal. I know few people who can even tell strain from mature buds....leaf, no...way.....

[growmanchw]

I've got some indica plants (4) grown from seed that I put into flower 5 days ago, and had some questions about determining sex. I don't know what strain they are, or even if they are all the same strain. The seeds were unidentified freebies I got with an order. I can tell they are indica or indica-dom by the leaves, but not much else. Two of them grew abt twice as tall as the other 2, but I don't know if they are a different strain, or if they are taller because they are male. The leaves are similar enough to make me think they are the same strain. I'l post pictures tonight after my lights come on, but my camera will not give useful pictures of the primordia forming now on the plants. Typically, how long under 12/12 lighting will it take for male flowers to be identifiable as such, and how long before pollen could drop? I've only grown from clones, so have never sexed a plant before. As these plants are in with my main grow which is 2-3 weeks from harvest, I'd rather take them all out than risk any chance of pollination. If my window is only hours at some point, I'll just tear 'em up now. I check my flowering plants at least twice a day, so if I can be assured if identification at least a day or 2 prior to any pollen being available, I'm ok. Thanx for any info you can provide.

after two weeks of flowering you will notice haiirs protuding from the stem/branch joint if these start to show you have females and males will start to grow the same things but the hairs will not be as long on them if you notice this then you should wait one more week just to be sure then thin out the males

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Any law against what I do on this forum would be impeding on my right to freedom and the pursuit of happiness. So unfortunately, I'm forced to play the role of a cannabis grower instead of actually participate in the hobby. (All pictures are pulled from the internet and knowledge is only portrayed as personal experience without ever having any actual experience

[LetsSeeYa]

I've got some indica plants (4) grown from seed that I put into flower 5 days ago, and had some questions about determining sex. I don't know what strain they are, or even if they are all the same strain. The seeds were unidentified freebies I got with an order. I can tell they are indica or indica-dom by the leaves, but not much else. Two of them grew abt twice as tall as the other 2, but I don't know if they are a different strain, or if they are taller because they are male. The leaves are similar enough to make me think they are the same strain. I'l post pictures tonight after my lights come on, but my camera will not give useful pictures of the primordia forming now on the plants. Typically, how long under 12/12 lighting will it take for male flowers to be identifiable as such, and how long before pollen could drop? I've only grown from clones, so have never sexed a plant before. As these plants are in with my main grow which is 2-3 weeks from harvest, I'd rather take them all out than risk any chance of pollination. If my window is only hours at some point, I'll just tear 'em up now. I check my flowering plants at least twice a day, so if I can be assured if identification at least a day or 2 prior to any pollen being available, I'm ok. Thanx for any info you can provide.

Well if this helps my man, iv had a few males and sexing is easy after ya do it once. As far as pollinating your girls, the balls need to mature some what to offer pollen to your girls. Also, iv read that if you keep them wet they wont pollinate, which you probably know. As you said 2 were bigger and males grow faster, but could be some good stuff. Could be an opportunity to create an interesting cross? I grew a male for 2 months outside and the balls never opened. Of course i moved it once i knew it was male. I did get two seeds out of the plant that was close to it, but it was a good size plant, so no big deal. I think you would catch them before any pollen would get out of the balls. I have a couple pics il post that has helped people when asking about sexing, i think might help to see the sex up close and personal. The pro's will be chimming in soon too.


If you right click and open link in the first pic i marked sex with paint program which can be seen earlier with a 30x microscope, or jewelers loop. Second pic you can see the balls that are not open. It was about two months old.

Headshake gave me this link for the perfect tool to identify male/female, he said it was about 13 bucks, so not to much to spend.

Illuminated Microscope - RadioShack.com

Hope this helps my friend:rasta:

[senorx12562]

Well if this helps my man, iv had a few males and sexing is easy after ya do it once. As far as pollinating your girls, the balls need to mature some what to offer pollen to your girls. Also, iv read that if you keep them wet they wont pollinate, which you probably know. As you said 2 were bigger and males grow faster, but could be some good stuff. Could be an opportunity to create an interesting cross? I grew a male for 2 months outside and the balls never opened. Of course i moved it once i knew it was male. I did get two seeds out of the plant that was close to it, but it was a good size plant, so no big deal. I think you would catch them before any pollen would get out of the balls. I have a couple pics il post that has helped people when asking about sexing, i think might help to see the sex up close and personal. The pro's will be chimming in soon too.


If you right click and open link in the first pic i marked sex with paint program which can be seen earlier with a 30x microscope, or jewelers loop. Second pic you can see the balls that are not open. It was about two months old.

Headshake gave me this link for the perfect tool to identify male/female, he said it was about 13 bucks, so not to much to spend.

Illuminated Microscope - RadioShack.com

Hope this helps my friend:rasta:

I actually have that exact microscope in a 60x-110x. I use it to watch spider mites suffer and die after they are sprayed. I hate those little fuckers. I also have a 30x jewelers loupe that I've been using to look out for balls. It's a little more convenient to use. I think I know what to look for, I'm just worried that I will miss one for long enough to allow some pollen out, but it sounds as if I'm just being paranoid. The problem is that no pistils have appeared on any of them, but they also aren't obviously male. Guess I'll just keep checking. Thanx man.

[senorx12562]

pollen sacks don't just pop out and release. Females usually show first.

For females, you'll see one or two white hairs, like you'd see in a bud at the junction of the stem and a branch near the top of the plant. If growing from seed, I believe it takes at least a month after sprouting to show. They have to hit a certain chronological age, 12/12 or not.

there is a good example here with a pic of male preflowers
What are preflowers? - 420 Magazine

Thanks for the link. These plants were actually planted approx. 2 mos prior to flowering. In that time they never showed any differentiated sex parts, even though the branching went to alternating. Chronologically I think they are mature enough to flower. I decided to go ahead and put them in 12/12, in part because I needed the room in my veg room. I'd much rather lose them entirely than take any chances. We'll see.

[LetsSeeYa]

I actually have that exact microscope in a 60x-110x. I use it to watch spider mites suffer and die after they are sprayed. I hate those little fuckers. I also have a 30x jewelers loupe that I've been using to look out for balls. It's a little more convenient to use. I think I know what to look for, I'm just worried that I will miss one for long enough to allow some pollen out, but it sounds as if I'm just being paranoid. The problem is that no pistils have appeared on any of them, but they also aren't obviously male. Guess I'll just keep checking. Thanx man.

Well it sounds to me your just way ahead of the game my man. If ya check the node area, with the loupe you will see the white hairs for sure. I wouldnt worry at all with having that equipment, the males/females will show easy.
Your good for sure,

:rasta:

[senorx12562]

Here's the picture I promised. You can see the difference in height. The developing primordia have me pretty convinced that the tall ones are male and the smaller ones are females. Still no pistils though. The tall male/ short bushier female thing fits with what I've read.

[senorx12562]

I believe it's about 3 weeks before the male flowers open. I could be wrong. You will know that it's male before it's a danger to your other girls. Judging strain by leaf is not possible unless you have some crazy maple leaf varietal. I know few people who can even tell strain from mature buds....leaf, no...way.....

I don't think I said anything about judging the strain by leaves, I said I could tell they were at least indica-dominant by the leaves, which in the case of most strains is relatively easy to do. As for identification of strains within the general categories of sativa or indica goes, I have my doubts about anyone who claims to be able to reliably do so by looks alone. There are far too many phenotypical variations due to environmental factors.