While most marijuana growers focus on female plants for their cannabinoid-rich buds, male marijuana plants have several valuable uses. Here’s how you can put these male plants to work:
1. Seed Production
Male marijuana plants are essential for creating seeds, which can save you money on future crops. To prevent accidental pollination of your main buds, keep male plants in a separate growing area. Depending on the type of marijuana plants you’re growing, your setup will vary:
- For Autoflowering or Small Indica Plants: A small grow box, about the size of a mini fridge, will work.
- For Tall Sativa Plants: You’ll need a larger grow tent or box.
To harvest pollen, do so in an enclosed space. Place aluminum foil under the male plant to catch falling pollen. Use a plastic bag to collect the pollen sacs and gather any remaining pollen from the foil. Raw pollen can last several months, but for longer storage, filter, dry, and freeze it wrapped in aluminum foil within a plastic bag. Use a soft paintbrush to apply pollen to female plants in the same isolated space to prevent unwanted cross-pollination.
2. Creating New Strains
Male marijuana plants are crucial for breeding new strains. Cross-pollinate a male plant of one strain with a female of another to create hybrids. For example, crossing a male Durban Poison with a Northern Lights female can produce a strain with unique effects and flavors. However, offspring may inherit more traits from one parent than the other, so breeding requires careful planning and patience.
3. Making Marijuana Juice
Juicing male marijuana plants is a great way to consume cannabinoids without the psychoactive effects. Use a juicer or heavy-duty blender to process the plant material into juice or a smoothie. Adding fruits like apples, oranges, or bananas can help balance the flavor and make the juice more enjoyable.
4. Harvesting Hemp Fiber
Male marijuana plants also provide valuable fiber. To harvest it, soak the stems in water for over ten days to loosen the fibers. Flatten and crush the stems to separate the fibers, then process them using a V-shaped structure and brush to remove any woody material. Spin the cleaned fibers into yarn with a homemade spindle, and wash and dry the yarn. For a visual guide, check out this video on spinning hemp fiber.
5. Making Hash
Although male marijuana plants have lower cannabinoid content, you can still make hash. Cut the leaves into small pieces, sift through a silkscreen to collect the resin, and bake the resin in a water-soaked cellophane bag at 175°C to prevent overheating. After cooling, compress the resin to form hash.
Conclusion
Male marijuana plants offer several benefits beyond their role in pollination. Use them for seed production, breeding new strains, making juice, harvesting fiber, and producing hash. As Jay-Z said, “It’s seldom that I smoke, but it helps my thinker.” Fully utilize your male marijuana plants for the greatest benefit in your garden and personal use.
