Hermaphrodite cannabis plants and their uses

Hermaphrodite weed plants are often the unspoken plants of the cannabis world. Much like with other species, a hermaphrodite weed plant will develop the characteristics of both male and female plants and produce flowers that contain both thick flower buds and seeds. Unfortunately, these cannabis plants are mostly unwanted by the growing community. They can completely ruin crops meant for recreational use and are full of annoying seeds which makes it a low-quality product.

Things that can influence your chances of getting a hermaphrodite plant

There are only a couple different ways that a hermaphrodite weed plant will form. The first is due to genetics and the second is based on the environment. If a plant is put under conditions lacking essential components like water and light, then the stress a plant is experiencing can cause this reaction. It is the plant’s natural ability to shut down and shorten its growth cycle if it isn’t getting what it needs to flourish. Some of the biggest causes of stress for a marijuana plant are interruptions in light during the flowering stage, heat reaching over 27 C on average, harvesting a plant past its prime, damage to the plant structure, lack of water, too much fertilizer, predatory bugs or diseases, too much cold, and the use of pesticides or fungicides.

How to tell male from female marijuana plants

Spotting a hermaphrodite weed plant is difficult until you learn to tell male from female marijuana plants.

Male marijuana plants

Male cannabis plants will produce balls underneath their leaves. They are pollen sacs that once developed can fertilize an entire field of female plans with just one ball. The male cannabis plant tends to grow more quickly and will be spindly. They will not produce crystals or hairs at all until they are in their final growing stages. A male marijuana plant will produce mainly seed and only a small fraction of flower.

Female marijuana plant

The female cannabis plant will grow slower than her counterpart. Females will be shorter a bushier and almost immediately begin producing orange and white hairs and pistils. THC crystal can sometimes be spotted even at a young stage coating some of the smaller fan leaves. A female marijuana plant will produce high-quality bud that is much more potent than that of a male marijuana plant.

Early signs of a hermaphrodite plant

If you are looking for early signs of a hermaphrodite plant, you will want to watch the smallest v-shaped branch that extends from the stalk. This is where you will see the very first bud or pollen sacs develop. Early signs of a hermaphrodite plant will be the development of both male and female flower anatomy.

What does a hermaphrodite plant look like?

A hermaphrodite plant will resemble a female cannabis plant once it nears the end of its life cycle. Marijuana flower produced by a hermaphrodite plant will be fraught with seeds which can often be noticed long before harvest as many will develop on the outside of the flower bud. When younger a hermaphrodite cannabis plant will most likely sport pollen sacs long before any flower production occurs. The plant itself will also be smaller than it’s female and male counterparts as the process of turning into a hermaphrodite will stunt the overall growth of a marijuana plant.

Can you smoke hermaphrodite weed?

While the answer is yes, you can most definitely smoke flowers produced by a hermaphrodite cannabis plant. You may not want to. A hermaphrodite plant will not be nearly as potent as a 100% female cannabis plant, and it will be full of seeds which will affect smokability and taste.

What can a hermaphrodite weed plant be used for?

Smoke It

As mentioned before you can smoke the flowers produced by a hermaphrodite plant, it’s the experience itself that ends up lacking. In the best attempt to save a plant that's transformed into a hermaphrodite you can use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove any pollen sacs the moment you see them. Some growers will even go so far as to completely remove any flowers that show male characteristics.

Making concentrates

Hermaphrodite weed plants can be used to make any THC or CBD concentrates like hash il, hash, shatter, powder, etc. While THC content in a hermaphrodite plant is often low, once harvested and condensed it can end up a reasonably effective concentrate.

Making feminized seeds

A hermaphrodite plant is often use din the creation of feminized seeds. A hermaphrodite plant will be introduced to a crop of female cannabis plants while using hormones and other chemicals. The results will be mostly female or feminized seeds that will have a higher rate of creating pure females.