The visual characteristics of a cannabis plant expressing male sexual characteristics are crucial for growers to identify. These plants develop pollen sacs, small, ball-shaped structures that emerge at the nodes where branches meet the main stem. These sacs are typically green initially and become yellowish as they mature and fill with pollen. They hang loosely from the plant and are easily distinguishable from the pistils (hairs) of a female plant. A defining feature is the absence of the hair-like pistils characteristic of female flowers; instead, only the pollen sacs are present. The presence of these sacs signals the plant’s male gender.
Recognizing a male cannabis plant is vital in cultivation for several reasons. Primarily, male plants pollinate female plants, leading to seed production. While seed production is desirable for breeding purposes, it diminishes the potency and quality of the desired product when the goal is sinsemilla (seedless) cannabis. Furthermore, resources expended by female plants in seed production detract from bud development. Historically, cannabis growers diligently removed male plants to prevent unintended pollination and maintain the quality of their crop. This selective removal ensures that female plants focus their energy on producing potent, resinous buds.
