if growing indoors you have to let it grow for about 6 weeks with a fluorescent, metal halide, or HPS light on it 18 hrs a day, but 24 is a lot better. after you get it about 1 foot tall you can sex it to see whether its a male or female. females produce the buds so if you get a male you shouldnt bother keeping it and just try again. try ordering some femanized seeds online, that way youre sure to get a female. im growing some myself but mine are about 18 days old.