Cannabis pollen - what is it and what is it for?

Cannabis is divided into several forms: male and female. Both can bloom. But the main difference between male plants is that they are not able to produce inflorescences in the form of cones. At the same time, they create a pollen sac into which cannabis pollen is released when ripe. The importance of male plants should not be underestimated - they are necessary for the creation of new varieties of cannabis, but at the same time they can cause a lot of problems growers who grow bushes indoors because they are able to pollinate female plants, after which the inflorescences are filled with seeds.

Please note, this material is intended for persons over 18 years of age for informational purposes only. We do not encourage the cultivation, storage and use of cannabis.

Features of hemp plants

Cannabis plants are:

• Monoecious - in such bushes, male and female genital organs are located simultaneously on the same plant (you can often find the name hermaphrodite).
• Dioecious - this option implies that the female and male genital organs are located separately on different individuals. In this situation, to create seeds, the male plant must pollinate the female.

Heterogeneous dioecious plants are often found. But all experienced growers encounter hermaphrodites. They form when the plant is stressed. Due to the shock, the bush believes that it will soon die, so in order to survive its species begins to form other sexual characteristics in order to pollinate itself and create seeds on its own.

Features of pollen and where it is formed

The buds are considered cannabis buds and can only be produced by female buds. Male bushes can also flower, but in this situation a sac is created - a small round growth that opens when fully ripe, from which pollen is released. This ball contains DNA data from a male bush, which merges with the gametes of a plant of the opposite sex (they contain data about female DNA), after which hemp seeds are created.

What is hemp pollen for?

With the help of pollination, hemp seeds are created. Under natural conditions, cannabis can perpetuate its variety through pollen. At the same time, pollen helps breeders develop new varieties. If you cross two varieties, breeders will be able to get new species with a unique taste, aroma and leaf color. In this situation, pollen is collected from one variety and the inflorescences of another are pollinated with it.

How to properly collect and store cannabis pollen

When growing cannabis, you can collect pollen. But in this situation you need to act carefully, since it is quite light and a small draft or wind can easily blow it everywhere. In addition, pollen can remain on items of clothing, the skin of your hands, and hair, so you should act with extreme caution, in particular if there is a plant of the opposite sex nearby. The sacs should be checked daily on the male bush to know when they are fully ripe.

Before they start to open, you need to prepare a zip bag or container (you need something sealed). Keep in mind that pollen is very sensitive to sunlight and high humidity, so it needs to be kept in a cool, dry and dark place. The simplest and fastest solution is to put the bags on the refrigerator shelf. Additionally, you can add small silica gel packets to the container to completely remove moisture.

The process of pollination of cones

Everything is quite easy - you need to make sure that the pollen sticks to the inflorescence of the female bush. To do this, you can simply shake the male bush, placing it next to the female one. You can also collect pollen, dip a brush in it, and apply the pollen to the buds. Pollination should be carried out when the pistils are fully formed - approximately 3-5 weeks into the flowering stage.

In general, the importance of male plants should not be ignored. They are actively grown by breeders in order to develop new varieties. This is also the only way to continue the plant species.