If you’re an avid grower, chances are you know the dangers of pollen on your crops.

Pollen from male cannabis plants can be detrimental to a female plant, fertilizing her and preventing her from producing those precious, seedless buds.

However, have you ever thought about making use of male plants? By that, I mean becoming your own breeder and creating your own strain?

If that’s something of interest, read on to learn about collecting pollen and fertilizing female plants for future seeds of your homemade strain.

First thing’s first, you must identify which plants are males and females.

Check out our easy guide on how to tell the differences between male and female plants. Once you’ve identified the differences in preflowers, you want to ensure you isolate the male plant.

Either place him in his own tent or as far away from females as possible. This will lessen the risk of pollinating unfertilized female plants that you plan on smoking.

After three weeks, you can start collecting pollen from the male (this lasts from weeks 3 to 7). Collect it by tapping on the male’s flowers and catching the pollen in a container or a sheet of parchment paper.

Pick out any plant matter or leaves from your collected pollen to keep it as dry as possible.

Pollen must be dry when storing.

Moisture can kill pollen, so dry it out in a paper envelope and seal it up in a dark, dry area for a couple of days.

After that has passed, you can put the envelope inside a ziplock bag and toss it in the freezer until your female plants are ready to be pollinated.

Frozen pollen can last for 2-3 years in the freezer, but it must be used immediately when thawed.

Female plants are ready to be pollinated from weeks 3-4.

When that time comes around, thaw your pollen until it’s back to its dry, powdery substance.

A little goes a long way; all you need is a quarter of a teaspoon for roughly 4 to 5 plants. When you’re ready, take any sort of small brush like a paintbrush or makeup brush and dip it into your pollen.

Gently tap the pollen-filled brush over top of the female plant’s buds. Again, to prevent pollinating plants you plan on smoking, make sure you’re far away enough when flicking pollen.

Your female plants will germinate and fertilize within 4-6 hours and won’t be at risk of pollinating other plants after 24 hours.

Once she begins producing larger buds with seeds, collect them to grow your very own homemade strain.