Do Female Pot Plants Grow Hairs in Veg?

When growing marijuana plants, it is important to know the sex of your plants as it determines the type of plant that you are growing. Female plants are the most desirable when growing cannabis as they produce the flower buds that contain high levels of THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for the plant's medicinal and recreational effects. One common question that growers ask is whether female pot plants grow hairs in the vegetative stage, which we shall discuss in this article.

The Vegetative Stage of Cannabis Plant

The vegetative stage is the first stage of a marijuana plant's lifecycle, where the plant grows tall with many branches and leaves. The vegetative stage lasts around 4-6 weeks, depending on the strain, and is characterized by rapid growth of the stems and leaves, but no buds are formed. During this stage, the plant needs at least 16 hours of light per day and 8 hours of darkness to grow.

Hairs in Female Cannabis Plants

When female cannabis plants reach the flowering stage, they develop hairs, also known as pistils, which are small white or orange fibers protruding from the calyxes. The pistils grow from the calyxes, which eventually develop into the sticky bud of marijuana that is harvested. The pistils are responsible for catching pollen from the male plants to produce seeds. However, this is only relevant if you are growing marijuana for breeding purposes.

Hairs in Vegetative Stage

During the vegetative stage, female cannabis plants do not grow hairs. They do not start to develop these structures until they are mature enough to enter the flowering stage. Therefore, if you notice any hairs on your plants during the vegetative stage, it is an indication that it could be a hermaphrodite or male plant.

Differentiating between Male and Female Plants in the Vegetative Stage

It is important to start identifying the sex of your plants during the vegetation stage to avoid wasting time and resources on plants that will not produce the quality buds that you desire. The easiest way to do this is by looking for the pre-flowers. Male pre-flowers grow small, round structures on the node, while female pre-flowers grow small, white hairs on the node. The pre-flowers typically appear during the third or fourth week of the vegetative stage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, female cannabis plants do not grow hairs in the vegetative stage. It is only when they mature to the flowering stage that they develop hairs, which eventually grow into the buds that contain THC. Identifying the sex of your plants early in the vegetative stage is important to avoid wasting resources on plants that will not produce buds. Ensure that you know how to differentiate between male and female plants in the first few weeks of vegetation to make the most out of your grow.