If you have been studying ways to grow Cannabis Seeds, especially feminized ones, you might have probably encountered the word “hermie.” You might be shocked and intrigued about why people get frustrated about hermies and the problems that they can cause to cannabis cultivation. But what is a hermie? Hermie is a nickname for a hermaphrodite cannabis plant.
In this article, you will be able to know all about hermies and all the things that growers should be aware of in order to be safe against plants like this.
How Can You Define A Hermaphroditic Cannabis Plant?
Just like animals, plants also have their own genders – it is just not as obvious as to how it works with animals. Reproduction in plants happens when female cannabis plants encounter the pollen that is produced by male cannabis plants. Once this situation is complete, the female cannabis plants will create seeds and produce the next generation of plants. This is why if you are a breeder of a new strain of cannabis, you would definitely enjoy the pollen coming from male plants. But, if you are after dank buds, whether for medical or recreational uses, only female plants will be beneficial for you.
Now, our focus will be on the hermaphroditic cannabis plant. Hermaphrodites are cannabis plants that possess male characteristics and female characteristics at the same time. The hard part about this type of plant is that growers will have to very vigilant and meticulous in order for them to remove the male pollen sacs that they can produce. If you fail to do so, there is a very high probability that the pollen sacs will burst and pollinate the female part of the plant to produce seeds.
Why Does Hermaphroditism Happen To Feminized Marijuana Plants?
Hermaphrodite cannabis plants only come to be because of two reasons.
The first is genetics. To look at it very simply, hermie parent plants are highly likely to produce children with hermie characteristics as well. This is why if you plan on cultivating Cannabis Seeds on your own, make sure that you only purchase from a reputable supplier – especially if you purchase online. Another important thing to check on your research is that there are cannabis strains that are highly susceptible to having hermaphrodite characteristics. One of the most famous strains of this problem is the Thai Sativa.
The second possible reason that cannabis hermaphroditism happens is stress. If you look at it biologically, a plant turning into a hermie is actually a smart move for survival. Considering the plant’s evolutionary characteristics, this means that the plant does not want to become dependent on another plant or its environment for it to attract pollen. Instead, the plant exhibits an independent behavior and proceeds to pollinate itself. Though this can be seen as a good thing, it also has its cons. Because of this, the plant does not receive new and fresh genetic components. Just like humans and other animals, plants are living things that also resort to drastic measures to survive and avoid dying.
How Can You Help Your Plant Avoid Turning Into A Hermaphrodite
The first thing that you can do to avoid hermaphroditism is to source your raw materials well. The strongest way to avoid this is just to ensure that the feminized Cannabis Seeds that you buy come from a reputable and highly recommend seed bank.
Another great thing that you can do as a cannabis cultivator is to take care of your plant in the best possible way to avoid having a stressful life. For instance, it is very important to learn and understand how lighting cycles work before you even attempt to grow your own cannabis. Lighting is a trigger for plant development, so one mistake will hurt the growth of your plant. Once the cannabis is in the period where it should be in a dark place, make sure that you never interrupt your plant’s beauty sleep.
Additionally, cannabis plants are also very sensitive to changes in temperatures. If the temperatures are too high, the chances of getting a hermaphroditic plant also increase. More than that, you should also watch the temperature of the water that you give to your plant. Unlike humans, who enjoy drinking cold water, a cannabis plant dreads that.
The rule of thumb in situations like this is to look back on how cannabis plants usually live while they are in the wild. The air temperature should be warm, but not too hot, and the same goes for the water temperature – lukewarm is more than enough. That’s what your plant expects you to provide – so that is what you should give them. Remember, stress triggered by lighting and heat are the most common reasons for a cannabis plant to turn into a hermaphrodite.
Aside from these things, take note that when you feed your plant, you should not leave them gasping or drowning from all the water. You should start to research on the different tips and tricks on how you will know that the water is enough. Study it carefully, which one would work best for you and do that. This rule also applies to nutrients. Plants have their own types of appetite, so you should study the best feeding schedule for your feminized cannabis plants.
There are also organisms that can mess up your plant’s growth, especially if your grow area is located outdoors. You should watch out the surroundings of your plants and observe for the presence of mites, diseases, insects, and other similar things.
In terms of handling your plant, ensure that you will be very gentle. If you plan on applying plant training techniques like pruning or topping, make sure to keep a light hand and not go overboard as this can also give stress to the plant.
Final Thoughts
Every cannabis grower wants to stay away from producing hermies, but that is a possibility that you cannot deny when growing feminized seeds. But, you can avoid all of that by sourcing your cannabis from a reputable seed bank or breeder to lower the odds of growing hermies drastically.
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