Early Sexing Methods

[dragula420]

Been reading The Cannabis Grow Bible by Greg Green he says the following:

First Early Sexing Method: If you have been growing the same strain and all the seeds at the same time, then you may notice that some plants are taller than others. This is a sign that the smaller plants are female and the taller ones are male. If you want too, you can separate your plants into two sections in order to see how good your guesswork was when you do finally identify sex. The other thing to know is that male plants in general start to pre-flower before females. If you have taller plants that are producing new growths before the smaller ones, then the taller plants are probably male.

Second Early Sexing Method. A good way to identify plant sex at early date is to look at the calyx with the aid of a very fine magnifying glass. (See last page of this book for pre-flowering/calyx illustration) If the calyx is raised on a small short stem then it is probably a male. If the calyx is not raised on a small short stem then it is probably a female.

Has anyone had any experience with this? What do you think?

 

[Lordhooha]

Been reading The Cannabis Grow Bible by Greg Green he says the following:

First Early Sexing Method: If you have been growing the same strain and all the seeds at the same time, then you may notice that some plants are taller than others. This is a sign that the smaller plants are female and the taller ones are male. If you want too, you can separate your plants into two sections in order to see how good your guesswork was when you do finally identify sex. The other thing to know is that male plants in general start to pre-flower before females. If you have taller plants that are producing new growths before the smaller ones, then the taller plants are probably male.

Second Early Sexing Method. A good way to identify plant sex at early date is to look at the calyx with the aid of a very fine magnifying glass. (See last page of this book for pre-flowering/calyx illustration) If the calyx is raised on a small short stem then it is probably a male. If the calyx is not raised on a small short stem then it is probably a female.

Has anyone had any experience with this? What do you think?

I Don't give that stuff any credit.

 

[printer]

You will have plenty of time recognizing the males, no need to guess prematurely.

 

[Wizzlebiz]

If any of that were feasible we wouldn't be taking clones and throwing them under 12/12 to figure it out.

I dont put any validity to those claims.

Shit he spoke of seeds as if they all grow the same exact pheno which they absolutely do not. That's a huge red flag and where you should have stopped reading.

Different phenotypes grow differently. Simply put.

So each individual seed will have different characteristics from genetic makeup of the mother and father.

Take a look at your family. Notice no one looks identical. Genetic makeup is different each time.

Yes identical twins btw are much like clones. Cut a clone from a mother and it will be the exact same as the mother.

Twins basically split the egg. Hence a clone of the original looks wise.

 

[dragula420]

If any of that were feasible we wouldn't be taking clones and throwing them under 12/12 to figure it out.

I dont put any validity to those claims.

Shit he spoke of seeds as if they all grow the same exact pheno which they absolutely do not. That's a huge red flag and where you should have stopped reading.

Different phenotypes grow differently. Simply put.

So each individual seed will have different characteristics from genetic makeup of the mother and father.

Take a look at your family. Notice no one looks identical. Genetic makeup is different each time.

Yes identical twins btw are much like clones. Cut a clone from a mother and it will be the exact same as the mother.

Twins basically split the egg. Hence a clone of the original looks wise.

It was more flipping through the book to look for certain information and I just happened to come across this section.. I'm familiar with taking clones and putting them under 12/12. Have never heard someone say you can sex cannabis plants like this it.
I have a few different books for growing to flip through luckily.

 

[MAGpie81]

Been reading The Cannabis Grow Bible by Greg Green he says the following:

First Early Sexing Method: If you have been growing the same strain and all the seeds at the same time, then you may notice that some plants are taller than others. This is a sign that the smaller plants are female and the taller ones are male. If you want too, you can separate your plants into two sections in order to see how good your guesswork was when you do finally identify sex. The other thing to know is that male plants in general start to pre-flower before females. If you have taller plants that are producing new growths before the smaller ones, then the taller plants are probably male.

Second Early Sexing Method. A good way to identify plant sex at early date is to look at the calyx with the aid of a very fine magnifying glass. (See last page of this book for pre-flowering/calyx illustration) If the calyx is raised on a small short stem then it is probably a male. If the calyx is not raised on a small short stem then it is probably a female.

Has anyone had any experience with this? What do you think?

Edit: kinda forgot the post was on early signs.
Yes. I’ve noticed both of those things. I would say 95% (just leaving room for error) on the stemmed calyx, but would need more experience to say close to certainty on the height thing, but I feel like I can usual tell by subtle clues I may not realize I’m picking up on- like height, node spacing, growth rate, and seedling stretch- all those often seem abundant in the males I’ve seen. But, I need more experience.

 

[Fruity420]

I’ve noticed males are usually taller and develop more space between nodes, it’s also absolutely not a sure way to tell sex, only a general rule. Males also usually start showing sex quicker.
I thought all experienced growers would have noticed this.
I’ve just done a bunch of seeds, nearly all of the taller plants were male and the sacs were clearly visible before any female pre flowers, I always consider it a bonus when I have a surprise female that’s kept up with the faster growin lanky boys.
The only challenge is picking a male for breeding, I look for is resin, smell and something that’s slower showing sex

 

[go go kid]

same here, the taller and lazyer they are, the more chance its a male, females are usualy bigger and bushier

 

[Wizzlebiz]

I’ve noticed males are usually taller and develop more space between nodes, it’s also absolutely not a sure way to tell sex, only a general rule. Males also usually start showing sex quicker.
I thought all experienced growers would have noticed this.
I’ve just done a bunch of seeds, nearly all of the taller plants were male and the sacs were clearly visible before any female pre flowers, I always consider it a bonus when I have a surprise female that’s kept up with the faster growin lanky boys.
The only challenge is picking a male for breeding, I look for is resin, smell and something that’s slower showing sex

I've been fooled by "taller" plants. I can say males absolutely show sex faster than the females.

 

[twentyeight.threefive]

If your plant has a calyx it's a female. So yeah there's that.

 

[MAGpie81]

I’ve noticed males are usually taller and develop more space between nodes, it’s also absolutely not a sure way to tell sex, only a general rule. Males also usually start showing sex quicker.
I thought all experienced growers would have noticed this.
I’ve just done a bunch of seeds, nearly all of the taller plants were male and the sacs were clearly visible before any female pre flowers, I always consider it a bonus when I have a surprise female that’s kept up with the faster growin lanky boys.
The only challenge is picking a male for breeding, I look for is resin, smell and something that’s slower showing sex

I just started breeding and also read to avoid the males that sex too quickly. Was hoping for a male from one variety I only had two starts of. Both seemed very “feminine” to me- bushy, stout (I did some training) and lots of cola tips. Put them to flower. After a couple weeks, I discovered one was indeed a male. Very healthy, fragrant, and all those cola sites are bursting with bananas now (I moved him, of course).
I think I had an inkling it would be male because when I took clones at the start of flip I labeled ones from it, “King KZ” (KZ=Kwazulu), haha. I did notice a more vigorous growth and strong stalk on him during veg.
Have more of same seed sprouted and I have my money on the really tall, quick ones being male.

 

[MAGpie81]

Just for fun-
Here’s two South African Kwazulu (I shorten to KZ) from the same seed order from World of Seeds (gotta say, I like the genetics of the two adults I have- 50/50 m/f- the male took a week of 12/12 to show, but very healthy, fragrant, and I needed a KZ for my DP Princess; also the clones from the fem took root and were in soil in 8 days- doing well. Seedlings- a couple here; 5/5 popped, and are thriving!)
Soooo-
Let’s pretend (for fun, remember, haha) one is male and one is female-
Which would you guess either is?
(Ignore my whack head job on tall one).
I’ll update. You’ll see it as a new post in a month or so

 

[twentyeight.threefive]

If you want a for sure early sexing method send a tissue sample for analysis. If you cull all males it'll save you time and money growing them out.

 

[Jjgrow420]

If you want a for sure early sexing method send a tissue sample for analysis. If you cull all males it'll save you time and money growing them out.

well. i dont think it would save money. those tests cost a bit
time tho. and time is money i suppose.

 

[Doug Dawson]

I agree with the lab test. I know a couple people that do it and it is really not very expensive and it is fast. You can have your seedlings DNA checked and cull the males if you like. It seemed to average around $15 to $20 USD per test. I don't want to post links and be called out for advertising but it is easy to find places with a quick internet search.

 

[dragula420]

If you want a for sure early sexing method send a tissue sample for analysis. If you cull all males it'll save you time and money growing them out.

I agree with the lab test. I know a couple people that do it and it is really not very expensive and it is fast. You can have your seedlings DNA checked and cull the males if you like. It seemed to average around $15 to $20 USD per test. I don't want to post links and be called out for advertising but it is easy to find places with a quick internet search.

Have heard about getting them tested.. I'm growing bag seed to start and don't want to waste a ton of soil on males atm. Was curious to see if any experienced/veteran growers had any experience with these sexing methods. I know I could avoid this by buying fem seeds which I plan on doing in the near future. Just something that got me curious

 

[Doug Dawson]

Have heard about getting them tested.. I'm growing bag seed to start and don't want to waste a ton of soil on males atm. Was curious to see if any experienced/veteran growers had any experience with these sexing methods. I know I could avoid this by buying fem seeds which I plan on doing in the near future. Just something that got me curious

I have recently watched a number of people post about successful testing being done at labs. They take a clipping and send it in, easy peasy. As for other methods I think it's really just the lab or the tried and true "wait till they show you" methods.

 

[MickFoster]

I wish I had known about those early sexing methods a couple of months ago.
Don't wait this long to identify your males. Lol.

 

[dragula420]

Don't wait this long to identify your males. Lol.
View attachment 4868399

Im gonna be watching them like a hawk lol

 

[Doug Dawson]

Don't wait this long to identify your males. Lol.
View attachment 4868399

That is one major pollen chucker there, wouldn't want to have your little outdoor garden within miles of that.