Fact Checked by Doctor NameWhat is Pollen?
Pollen refers to the fine, powdery substance produced by male cannabis plants in small sacs called catkins. The pollen contains the plant’s male genetic material needed to fertilize female cannabis plants to produce seeds.
When pollen makes contact with the sticky buds on female plants, fertilization occurs, resulting in seed pods developing. A single male plant can produce thousands of catkins, each releasing millions of pollen grains that pollinate females through wind or insects.
Cannabis pollen has several uses:
- Breeding – Growers use pollen to breed and create unique cannabis strains by crossing genetics from different parents.
- Feminized seeds – Female plants sprayed with pollen will produce nearly 100% female seeds identical to the mother plant for growing buds.
- Extracts – The pollen can be processed into hash, oils, edibles and other infused products, though at lower cannabinoid levels than female flowers.
- Nutritional supplement – Cannabis pollen contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals and protein. However, allergies are possible if ingested.
Growers collect pollen using traps to isolate from specific males. The pollen is then precisely applied to breed desired strains or make various cannabis products derived from the male plants.
