Sexing at germination

Angus

Well-Known Member
There is a pretty experienced (I've seen polaroids of him with sixteen footers he's grown) old timer I've known for a long while in the Carolina hills that has given me a lot of help on my current grow. Nothing beats first hand experience, and people who have been growing for years, or decades usually have their own tried and true method. Unfortunately, those same growers, especially some of the older ones learned what they know without the luxury of the internet, and sometimes swear to a fact or by a method that we now know is ineffective on untrue.

That being said, when I heard this I took it with a grain of salt. Around the beginning of the year when I was just planning my grow, he was throwing tips at me left and right. I asked him for advice on germinating the seeds, he suggested the paper towel method, and then added, "when the seed pops and the tap root comes out, if it shoots out straight it is probably a male, but if it curls over itself, it's definitely a bitch."

At this point I was very green, but I did know that other than observing aspects of growth such as height and vigor, which aren't consistent indicators, there was no way to tell a plant's sex until flowering. I was very skeptical to say the least.

Then in late march I started with twenty-seven seeds. Ten were feminized morning glory from barney's. All ten germed, and curled over themselves. The rest were not feminized, 5 sa skunk x durban poison, 10 angel dust, and 2 bagseed. Of the ones that germinated, seven curled and eight didn't.

I remembered what he said then and noted which curled and which didn't. Shortly after, I had a situation arise where I had to move them outside in a hurry. In the process I got them mixed up and now don't know which plant is which strain, let alone if the seed curled.

My question is, has anyone heard this before, or ever noticed a corilation between the tap root's action upon germination and plant sex? Do ya'll think it is plausible in the least? I was extremely doubtful when I first heard it, but after seeing all ten of my fem seeds curl I now think there just might be something to it. Perhaps someone who is starting an indoor grow from seed soon could note if the roots curls, and what sex the plants turn out. I won't be able to test it for myself until next season.

Thoughts?
 
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Gorlax

Well-Known Member
interesting theory; just planted 3 seeds, 2 of them where curling and 1 had a straight root. I let you know in a few weeks....
 
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Angus

Well-Known Member
interesting theory; just planted 3 seeds, 2 of them where curling and 1 had a straight root. I let you in a few weeks....
Please do. I'm sure this thread will be long dead, but if you, or anyone for that matter, thinks about this when their germing and feels like keeping notes on it, I'd be very interested to hear how it turns out. This forum has PMs, doesn't it?
 

deesbarrett

Well-Known Member
Please do. I'm sure this thread will be long dead, but if you, or anyone for that matter, thinks about this when their germing and feels like keeping notes on it, I'd be very interested to hear how it turns out. This forum has PMs, doesn't it?
I just started to germinate 5 seeds dont know what kind they are but I will definetly look for the signs of curling...Some of those old timers know what they are talking about...So dont knock them...
 

SugaShane

Active Member
damn i just planted my seeds earlier, i would like to conduct this study aswell.seems like there might be some truth to it.
 

twistup04

Active Member
dude it most likely isnt true. however i would take everything this dude has to say and store it. i have met some people that know soooo much and have tips and pointers. use them dont use them but listen cuz knowledge is priceless. learn as much as you can....kinda what this forum is aobut it. right?
 

Erysichthon

Well-Known Member
i am doubtful, yet hopeful. id like to see it documented and when i next germinate i will document.. cant hurt to check.
 

rev3la7ion

Well-Known Member
I'd like to know if this is true or has some truth to it as well. Keep us posted and I'll make sure I remember this my next grow.
 

deesbarrett

Well-Known Member
I'd like to know if this is true or has some truth to it as well. Keep us posted and I'll make sure I remember this my next grow.
I started to germinate some lastnight...And im definetly going to look for curling...I did notice it in the past and thought nothing of it...this time I will....I will be sureto post the results...And photos as it grows...
 

notorious

Well-Known Member
even if it was a major percent correct that could help a guy germinating a large quanity of seeds out.
 

Rocky Top High

Well-Known Member
Angus, I know a guy in the Tennessee hills that told me the same thing. This guy has been growing since the late 50's and is sharing his vast knowledge with me. The stories this guy has. His dad was a moonshiner and after prohibition, his family started growing weed.

He claims that they have used this method of sexing for as long as he can remember. Increases their yield and allows them to plant accordingly. Most of their grows are outside and they need to maximize their energy. I just thought it was one of those "mountain folklore" type of thing.

I am going to check on my next grow. It's at least interesting to think about. :mrgreen:
 

RandyRocket

Well-Known Member
One of the "Ask Ed" books said if the tail comes out the top or bottom of the seed it will be female. If it comes out the side it will be male.
 

makinthemagic

Well-Known Member
I would think someone would have already noticed this trend and it would have become public knowledge already but there could be some logic to it. Males tend to be taller and straighter. A longer, straighter taproot would be necessary to support the extra height of a male. It might not be a 100% correlation but I wouldn't be surprised if there was some sort of relationship between gender and taproot style.
 

thegenemaster

Active Member
While it may seem unlikely the fact is that this could in fact be a Y linked characteristic. I would like to test this hypothesis against my genetic screenig of for male markers. The curling is due to the elongation of the cells on one side of the root as opposed to the other. Its interesting to think that this could be female linked. Or that the straight phenotype is male linked.
 
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